Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
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Is El Paso safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, El Paso scores 83/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — El Paso is one of the safest large U.S. cities for visitors, with low violent crime and strong law enforcement presence. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
El Paso 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 17 September 2026
83
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~90% of countries
What drives this score
Crime76/100GoodCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment84/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability75Good
Health79Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-08-18T09:29:04Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-09-15T15:09:00.3444646-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Mugging & robbery risk
Low risk
92
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
78 / 100 (Mostly positive)
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
679k residents
72
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery risk to visitors is low, concentrated near international bridges and some nightlife areas after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded tourist zones, entertainment districts, and on public transit, especially around UTEP and downtown
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
84/100
Reported feel78Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent visitor reports and local resident feedback indicate El Paso feels safe during the day, with many noting its welcoming atmosphere and low crime perception; nighttime caution is advised in specific zones.
Yes — El Paso is one of the safest large U.S. cities for visitors, with low violent crime and strong law enforcement presence.
El Paso's crime rates are significantly below national averages, particularly for violent crime, and the city benefits from substantial federal, state, and local law enforcement resources due to its border location. While property crimes like auto theft have seen recent increases, tourist areas remain generally safe with normal urban precautions. Visitors should stay alert in entertainment districts and avoid poorly lit areas near the international bridges at night.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Alleged El Paso mass shooting suspect hit with federal hate-crime charges— ABC News
- Jul 2026Crime Stoppers of El Paso's 'Most Wanted' fugitives list released for week of July 25— KFOX
- Apr 2026El Paso police and sheriff report decline in serious crime in 2025— El Paso Matters
- Feb 2026El Paso airport flights halted due to testing of U.S. military anti-drone technology— NBC News
Common scams
- Border-related charity scams targeting sympathy for migrants
- Fake ticket or tour operators near popular attractions
Full briefing
El Paso presents a strong safety profile for travelers, ranking among the safest large cities in the United States with violent crime rates 36% below national averages. The city benefits from an exceptional concentration of law enforcement resources — including Fort Bliss, Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and federal agencies — which contribute to its low violent crime environment. While the FBI data shows a property crime rate of 1,494 per 100k (including auto theft trends noted in recent reports), visitor-focused areas like downtown, university districts, and major attractions maintain good safety during daytime hours with standard precautions.
Current conditions reflect typical border-city dynamics: the dossier notes no active disaster alerts and minimal terrorism risk, but highlights ongoing federal enforcement activity. Recent incidents include an alleged mass shooting suspect facing federal hate-crime charges (August 2026, ABC News) and routine fugitive listings from local Crime Stoppers (July 2026, KFOX), though these do not indicate elevated visitor risk. More positively, El Paso police and sheriff reported a decline in serious crime throughout 2025 (El Paso Matters, April 2026). Travelers should be aware that airport disruptions occurred earlier in 2026 due to military technology testing (February 2026, NBC News), but such events are infrequent and unrelated to street safety.
For practical safety, visitors should exercise normal urban vigilance: pickpocketing remains a moderate concern in crowded areas like downtown entertainment zones and near UTEP, particularly at night, while robbery risk is low but elevated near international bridges after dark. Scams occasionally involve fake charities exploiting migrant sympathy or fraudulent tour operators near attractions. The desert environment necessitates hydration and sun protection, with September highs averaging 35°C (95°F) and intense UV exposure at altitude. Overall, El Paso welcomes tourists with a safe, hospitable atmosphere — particularly in well-patrolled districts — when basic precautions are observed.
Was this El Paso, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 6 El Paso districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the El Paso safety map.
Areas near International BridgesavoidHistorically associated with more aggressive juveniles at night, though curfews have reduced issues.
Downtown El PasocautionGenerally safe during the day, but exercise increased caution at night, especially near entertainment areas.
University Area (near UTEP)cautionHigher crime rates due to nightlife, requires standard precautions, especially after dark.
WestsidesaferUpscale area with excellent safety ratings, popular with families and professionals.
EastsidesaferGenerally considered safe with low crime rates and well-maintained residential areas.
Central El PasosaferQuiet residential neighborhood known for low crime rates and strong community involvement.
07 · After Dark
Is El Paso safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging and armed robbery risk to visitors is low, concentrated near international bridges and some nightlife areas after dark
After dark, be most careful around Areas near International Bridges, Downtown El Paso, University Area (near UTEP). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
El Paso safety FAQ (2026)
Is El Paso safe right now (2026)?
Yes — El Paso is one of the safest large U.S. cities for visitors, with low violent crime and strong law enforcement presence. El Paso's crime rates are significantly below national averages, particularly for violent crime, and the city benefits from substantial federal, state, and local law enforcement resources due to its border location. While property crimes like auto theft have seen recent increases, tourist areas remain generally safe with normal urban precautions. Visitors should stay alert in entertainment districts and avoid poorly lit areas near the international bridges at night. (Assessed 17 September 2026.)
Is El Paso safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this El Paso report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of El Paso should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Areas near International Bridges as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in El Paso (2026)?
- Border-related charity scams targeting sympathy for migrants
- Fake ticket or tour operators near popular attractions
How does El Paso compare with other places in United States (2026)?
El Paso ranks #8 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 83/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this el-paso safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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