IsMyTripSafe.com

Is Key West safe? 🇺🇸

United States · Safety report last updated

As of July 2026, Key West scores 85/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — very safe. Yes — Key West is a very safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and minimal risk. The main risks for visitors are tourist-targeted scams.

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Key West 🇺🇸

United States · Assessed 29 July 2026

85

/ 100

Yes — very safe

Safer than ~92% of countries

What drives this score

Crime80/100GoodHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment87/100GoodGenerally Positive
Advisories97Good
Stability75Good
Health79Good

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Good

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 1

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 →

Government of Canada

Level 1

Exercise normal security precautions

Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.

Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00

Full advisory →

02 · Evidence Signals

Crime

Good

Mugging & robbery risk

Low risk
92

City SignalCity Web Research

Pickpocketing & theft risk

Low risk
92

City SignalCity Web Research

Visitor safety sentiment

75 / 100 (Generally Positive)
75

City SignalCity Web Research

Urban scale factor

26k residents
92

City SignalCity Geocoding

Homicide rate

5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2023

Feel safe walking alone after dark

60.0%
60

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2023

Physical assault (past year)

No data

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database

Robbery / mugging

Low

Robbery risk is very low for visitors in Key West.

Pickpocketing

Low

Pickpocketing is uncommon, but vigilance is advised in crowded tourist spots.

2 more indicators

Sexual violence (past year)

0.1%
100

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2023

Detected human-trafficking victims

1.12 / 100k
77

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2022

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Good

Air quality

US AQI 41 · Good

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

27 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

July: highs ~33°C · no weather extremes

Open-Meteo

Road safety

14.2 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

No active alerts · low seismicity
100

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

CDC travel health notices · none for this destination

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Good

Political stability & no terrorism

64/100
64

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

0.08 / million
93

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

74/100
74

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Control of corruption

70/100
70

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

78/100
78

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Regulatory quality

76/100
76

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Voice & accountability

72/100
72

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Stable

Traveller sentiment score

Generally Positive

87/100

Reported feel75Generally Positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk96Low risk

Most visitor reports indicate a feeling of safety, though some mention occasional concerns about petty crime in busy areas.

Yes — Key West is a very safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and minimal risk.

Key West's safety profile is excellent, with low crime statistics and strong governance indicators. While official advisories recommend normal precautions for the US, Key West itself presents very few risks to visitors.

Recent developments

  • May 2026A U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command exercise (FLEX 2026) took place in Key West, indicating ongoing military presence and activity.navy.mil
  • Jan 2026Reports indicated a rise in serious injury claims during the tourism season across the Middle and Lower Keys.Knoxville News Sentinel
  • Dec 2025The Florida Keys experienced increased activity from immigration agents, described as unprecedented by some.EL PAÍS English
  • Oct 2025Florida braced for numerous demonstrations, including in Key West, during the 'No Kings' events.WPEC

Common scams

  • Overcharging for goods or services, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.
Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map

Full briefing

Key West, Florida, offers a very safe environment for travelers. The destination boasts a high composite safety index, significantly outperforming the global average in areas like crime, conflict, and governance. Official travel advisories from Canada and the UK, which cover the US, recommend exercising normal security precautions, a standard guideline that reflects the overall safety of the United States rather than specific threats within Key West itself.

On the ground, Key West presents minimal risks. The homicide rate is comparable to other developed nations, and data suggests a low incidence of violent crime. While the dossier mentions a rise in serious injury claims during peak tourism seasons and increased immigration agent activity in the Keys, these do not directly translate to elevated risks for the average tourist. Petty crime like pickpocketing is uncommon, though standard vigilance in crowded areas is always prudent.

Recent news indicates ongoing military exercises and preparations for demonstrations in Key West, but these events do not pose a direct threat to visitor safety. The primary concerns for travelers would be general travel-related risks such as overcharging, which can be mitigated by being aware of prices and services. The CDC has issued global travel health notices for Polio, Dengue, and Measles, which travelers should review and take appropriate precautions for, irrespective of their destination within the US.

To ensure a safe trip, travelers should maintain situational awareness, especially in busy tourist zones. It is advisable to secure personal belongings and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Given the CDC advisories, ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date and taking measures against mosquito-borne illnesses like Dengue is recommended. Overall, Key West is a secure and welcoming destination.

IsMyTripSafe.com

Not legal or medical advice

Report generated 29 July 2026

Sources: U.S. State Dept · UK FCDO · World Bank · WGI · UNODC · WHO · UN SDG · Global Terrorism Database · Numbeo · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo · CDC. Composite index recomputed at request time.

Links:

06 · Neighbourhoods

Safest areas and areas to avoid

5 districts

Our field research rated 5 Key West districts for visitors: 4 safer, 1 needing caution. See them plotted on the Key West safety map.

Stock IslandcautionAdjacent to Key West, can have some petty crime; exercise normal precautions.

Old TownsaferHistoric center, generally safe with high tourist presence.

Bahama VillagesaferVibrant area, safe for visitors, especially during the day and early evening.

Truman AnnexsaferResidential and historic area, typically very safe.

New TownsaferMore residential and commercial, generally safe for visitors.

07 · After Dark

Is Key West safe at night?

60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).

Robbery risk is very low for visitors in Key West.

After dark, be most careful around Stock Island. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.

08 · Trip Profiles

Score by traveller type

Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Key West's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.

Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight83
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight84
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight83
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight84
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight83
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight84

09 · Questions

Key West safety FAQ

Is Key West safe for tourists right now?

Yes — Key West is a very safe destination for travelers, with low crime rates and minimal risk. Key West's safety profile is excellent, with low crime statistics and strong governance indicators. While official advisories recommend normal precautions for the US, Key West itself presents very few risks to visitors. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)

Which areas of Key West should tourists avoid?

No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.

What are the most common scams in Key West?

  • Overcharging for goods or services, particularly in tourist-heavy areas.

How does Key West compare with other places in United States?

Key West ranks #2 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 85/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.

How is this Key West safety score calculated?

The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.

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Browse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: key-west.json (CC BY 4.0).