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Is Los Angeles safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Los Angeles scores 67/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Los Angeles is generally safe for tourists who stay in well-patrolled visitor areas and avoid known high-risk neighborhoods on foot. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Los Angeles 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 13 October 2026
67
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime55/100FairCrime index 53.9 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment63/100FairMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
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 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-10T19:41:02.6992267-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
3.8M residents
52
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 but can occur in isolated neighborhoods at night, particularly in parts of South LA and Skid Row.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in crowded venues such as Hollywood Boulevard, Downtown LA, and major transit hubs.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
63/100
Reported feel66Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight, with a score of 66/100 on Numbeo, though confidence drops significantly after dark, reflecting awareness of area-specific risks.
Yes. Los Angeles is generally safe for tourists who stay in well-patrolled visitor areas and avoid known high-risk neighborhoods on foot.
Los Angeles has a composite safety index of 68/100, indicating it is safer than about 69% of countries worldwide. While the homicide rate matches the U.S. national average at 5.8 per 100k, risks for visitors are concentrated in specific areas such as Skid Row, Downtown LA, and parts of South LA, particularly after dark. Tourist corridors like Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills remain well-patrolled and safe during daytime and most evenings, though pickpocketing and car break-ins are frequent concerns.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Beverly Hills increases safety focus to regain international tourism amid visitor concerns— TTG Media
- Sep 2026LAPD celebrates National Crime and Intelligence Analyst Appreciation Day, highlighting ongoing efforts to monitor crime trends— Facebook
- Jul 2026California homicide rate falls to historic low as police make more arrests in killings— CalMatters
- Jun 2026Hollywood sign tourism sparks public safety concerns among residents who report living in constant fear— CBS News
Common scams
- Fake ticket sellers near tourist attractions
- Unlicensed tour guides offering overpriced or nonexistent services
- Distraction thefts in crowded venues like Hollywood Boulevard and transit hubs
Full briefing
Los Angeles sees neighborhood safety vary sharply, with affluent western districts like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood remaining well-patrolled and secure for visitors during both day and night. In contrast, areas such as Skid Row, Downtown LA, and parts of South LA experience higher crime rates, particularly after dark, where mugging and armed robbery, while uncommon overall, pose a moderate risk to those on foot. The Hollywood Boulevard corridor, though heavily visited, presents a high risk of pickpocketing and bag-snatching due to dense crowds around tourist attractions like the Walk of Fame, a pattern confirmed by multiple recent sources. Car break-ins are noted as a main practical risk, especially for rental vehicles left unattended with visible belongings.
Recent developments include Beverly Hills launching a safety-focused campaign in September 2026 to reassure international tourists, as reported by TTG Media, while the LAPD highlighted its crime analysis efforts in a Facebook post from the same month. Earlier in July, CalMatters noted a historic low in California’s homicide rate due to increased arrests, suggesting broader improvements in law enforcement effectiveness. Meanwhile, CBS News reported in June that residents near the Hollywood sign live in constant fear due to tourism-related safety strains, underscoring localized tensions despite overall visitor safety in controlled zones.
To stay safe, travelers should keep valuables concealed and use anti-theft bags in crowded spots such as Hollywood Boulevard and Metro stations, where distraction thefts are common. Parking in secured, well-lit lots and avoiding leaving items visible in cars is essential to prevent break-ins, a frequently cited concern across travel guides. At night, using rideshare services or official taxis is advised over public transit or walking alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods, particularly in southern or downtown districts where lighting and patrols may be inconsistent. Sticking to well-traveled, tourist-friendly corridors and maintaining situational awareness remains the most effective strategy for a secure visit.
Was this Los Angeles, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Los Angeles districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Los Angeles safety map.
Skid RowavoidExtreme poverty, high homelessness, open drug use; frequent violent crime and theft; avoid entirely, especially at night.
South Los AngelesavoidHigher violent crime rates; mugging and armed robbery uncommon but can occur in isolated neighborhoods at night; exercise extreme caution.
Fashion DistrictavoidPart of Wholesale District-Skid Row; identified as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in 2026 due to elevated theft and assault reports.
Hollywood Boulevard / Walk of FamecautionTourist-heavy with pickpocketing concerns; crime rates 109% above national average; southeast Hollywood particularly risky.
Downtown LA (DTLA)cautionArts District usable by day; higher crime rates; avoid isolated areas after dark due to robbery and assault risks.
Beverly HillssaferAffluent area with heavy security presence; low crime rates; generally safe at all hours.
Santa MonicasaferBeach community with good lighting, regular patrols; Third Street Promenade remains relatively safe even at night.
West HollywoodsaferWell-patrolled tourist corridor; safe during day and most evenings with normal awareness.
07 · After Dark
Is Los Angeles 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 but can occur in isolated neighborhoods at night, particularly in parts of South LA and Skid Row.
After dark, be most careful around Skid Row, South Los Angeles, Fashion District, Hollywood Boulevard / Walk of Fame. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Los Angeles safety FAQ (2026)
Is Los Angeles safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Los Angeles is generally safe for tourists who stay in well-patrolled visitor areas and avoid known high-risk neighborhoods on foot. Los Angeles has a composite safety index of 68/100, indicating it is safer than about 69% of countries worldwide. While the homicide rate matches the U.S. national average at 5.8 per 100k, risks for visitors are concentrated in specific areas such as Skid Row, Downtown LA, and parts of South LA, particularly after dark. Tourist corridors like Hollywood Boulevard, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills remain well-patrolled and safe during daytime and most evenings, though pickpocketing and car break-ins are frequent concerns. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Is Los Angeles safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Skid Row, South Los Angeles, Fashion District as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Los Angeles (2026)?
- Fake ticket sellers near tourist attractions
- Unlicensed tour guides offering overpriced or nonexistent services
- Distraction thefts in crowded venues like Hollywood Boulevard and transit hubs
How does Los Angeles compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Los Angeles ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 67/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this los-angeles 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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Raw data: los-angeles.json (CC BY 4.0).