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 Kansas City safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Kansas City scores 75/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Kansas City is generally safe for visitors who stay in well‑touristed areas and exercise normal caution. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Kansas City 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 14 August 2026
75
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~80% of countries
What drives this score
Crime69/100FairHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment65/100FairModerately positive
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
Health77Good
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 2026-07-23T16:13:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-08-13T16:40:44.8285155-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
475k residents
78
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon in tourist districts but can occur late at night in the Power & Light District and surrounding neighborhoods
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag‑snatching are most frequent in crowded venues such as the Country Club Plaza, downtown entertainment zones, and major sporting events
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
65/100
Reported feel60Moderately positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel comfortable in central areas during daylight but express heightened caution after dark, especially near the Power & Light District
Yes — Kansas City is generally safe for visitors who stay in well‑touristed areas and exercise normal caution.
Crime scores of 65 and 62 place Kansas City above the global average, with low terrorism risk and strong institutional stability, but visitor‑reported feeling safe is only moderate at 60 %.
Recent developments
- Apr 2026Advocates and Amnesty International issued a travel alert warning World Cup fans about elevated crime and potential scams in Kansas City— Amnesty International USA press release, 12 Apr 2026
- Jun 2026Kansas City Star reported a spike in violent crime in the East Side neighborhoods, prompting city officials to increase patrols— Kansas City Star article, 5 Jun 2026
- Jul 2026FOX4KC.com cited a White House official confirming enhanced security measures for World Cup visitor areas— FOX4KC.com report, 22 Jul 2026
Common scams
- Overpriced or fake taxi rides and rideshare scams targeting airport arrivals
- Unlicensed tour operators offering cheap World Cup tickets or city tours
- ATM skimming and credit‑card fraud in high‑traffic tourist venues
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Kansas City is generally safe for travelers who stick to well‑known tourist zones such as the Country Club Plaza, the Power & Light District, and downtown during daylight hours. Crime data show a moderate level of violent and property crime, reflected in a 65 % crime score, but the city’s homicide rate remains far below that of many large U.S. cities. Pickpocketing and bag‑snatching are most common in crowded venues, while muggings are infrequent but can rise after dark in the Power & Light area, so keep valuables secure and avoid poorly lit side streets late at night.
Recent news from April through July 2026 highlights a travel advisory from Amnesty International urging World Cup fans to stay vigilant, a Kansas City Star report of rising violent crime in the East Side neighborhoods, and a White House statement confirming heightened security for the tournament. These incidents underscore that while overall risk is low, certain neighborhoods east of Troost Avenue are experiencing spikes in assaults and should be avoided, especially after sunset.
Scams targeting visitors include overpriced or fake taxi rides, unlicensed tour operators selling bogus World Cup tickets, and ATM skimming at busy spots. Use only licensed transportation, purchase tickets through official channels, and protect your payment information with a secure sleeve. Staying in central, well‑patrolled neighborhoods and monitoring local alerts will let you enjoy Kansas City’s famed food and culture with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Kansas City districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Kansas City safety map.
Northeast (east of Troost Avenue)avoidelevated violent crime rates and sparse police presence; recent shootings documented in July 2026
Power & Light Districtcautionactive nightlife area; police patrols present but incidents rise after midnight, especially near 18th & Vine
Westportcautionpopular bar zone; high pedestrian volume but frequent alcohol‑related disturbances reported after dark
South Kansas City (south of I‑70)cautionmixed residential/commercial use; property crime slightly above city average, stay alert after dark
Country Club Plazasafertourist hub with heavy foot traffic, dedicated security, and well-lit streets; low crime incidence reported
Crossroads Arts Districtsafergallery-focused streets, daytime bustle, and regular patrols keep crime minimal; evenings generally calm
Downtown (Civic Center/City Hall area)safergovernment and office buildings, steady foot traffic, and visible security; low incident reports
Swope Park (including Kansas City Zoo)saferwell‑maintained park with regular patrols; isolated trails can be less monitored, use main paths
07 · After Dark
Is Kansas City 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 are uncommon in tourist districts but can occur late at night in the Power & Light District and surrounding neighborhoods
After dark, be most careful around Northeast (east of Troost Avenue), Power & Light District, Westport, South Kansas City (south of I‑70). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Kansas City safety FAQ (2026)
Is Kansas City safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Kansas City is generally safe for visitors who stay in well‑touristed areas and exercise normal caution. Crime scores of 65 and 62 place Kansas City above the global average, with low terrorism risk and strong institutional stability, but visitor‑reported feeling safe is only moderate at 60 %. (Assessed 14 August 2026.)
Is Kansas City safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Kansas City 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 Kansas City should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Northeast (east of Troost Avenue) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Kansas City (2026)?
- Overpriced or fake taxi rides and rideshare scams targeting airport arrivals
- Unlicensed tour operators offering cheap World Cup tickets or city tours
- ATM skimming and credit‑card fraud in high‑traffic tourist venues
How does Kansas City compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Kansas City 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 kansas-city safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ 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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4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: kansas-city.json (CC BY 4.0).