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Is Hilo safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Hilo 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 29 October 2026
75
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime69/100FairCrime index 38.3 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment65/100FairMixed but generally cautious
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health78Good
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 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
60 / 100 (Mixed but generally cautious)
60
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
43k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile violent crime is relatively low, there have been recent reports of robberies, particularly in shopping centers.
Pickpocketing
ModerateWhile not specifically highlighted for Hilo, pickpocketing is a general risk in crowded tourist areas across the US.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed but generally cautious
65/100
Reported feel60Mixed but generally cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Some residents express concern about rising crime, while others find the area tame compared to mainland cities. General sentiment suggests awareness is key.
Hilo is a moderately safe destination for travelers, with risks primarily related to natural hazards and property crime.
While Hilo has a lower violent crime rate than the US average, property crime is a concern, and visitors should be aware of the potential for natural disasters like heavy rain and flooding. Travelers should also heed general US travel advisories.
Recent developments
- May 2026A 20-year-old man was charged in a Hilo shopping center robbery.— Hawaii News Now
- Jan 2026A Hilo man pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearms charges.— KITV
- Aug 2026The city prepared for Tropical Storm Lala, with airports reopening after its passage.— City and County of Honolulu (.gov)
- Jun 2024Police arrested and charged three people with financial crime offenses.— Hawaii Police Department (.gov)
Common scams
- Pickpocketing in crowded areas
- General US tourist scams
Full briefing
Hilo is a destination where travelers should exercise increased caution, particularly due to weather and property crime risks. While the city's violent crime rate is lower than the US average, recent incidents such as a shopping center robbery in May 2026 and drug trafficking charges in January 2026 indicate that property crime and related offenses are present.
The region is also susceptible to natural hazards. Heavy rain and flooding are common in October, and the area has a history of tsunamis, with evacuation signs in place for coastal areas. Travelers should stay informed about weather forecasts and any natural disaster alerts.
General US travel advisories, such as the US Department of State's Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), apply. While specific scam warnings for Hilo are not prominent, pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots is a general risk across the United States. It is advisable to secure valuables and remain aware of your surroundings. Renting a car is recommended for exploring the island, and familiarity with tsunami evacuation routes is prudent for those visiting coastal areas.
Was this Hilo, United States report helpful?
06 · After Dark
Is Hilo safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
While violent crime is relatively low, there have been recent reports of robberies, particularly in shopping centers.
No specific districts were flagged as no-go areas after dark, but the usual night-time rules apply: stay in lit, populated areas and keep your phone out of sight.
07 · Questions
Hilo safety FAQ (2026)
Is Hilo safe right now (2026)?
Hilo is a moderately safe destination for travelers, with risks primarily related to natural hazards and property crime. While Hilo has a lower violent crime rate than the US average, property crime is a concern, and visitors should be aware of the potential for natural disasters like heavy rain and flooding. Travelers should also heed general US travel advisories. (Assessed 29 October 2026.)
Is Hilo safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Hilo 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 Hilo should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Hilo (2026)?
- Pickpocketing in crowded areas
- General US tourist scams
How does Hilo compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Hilo ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 75/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this hilo safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ 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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