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 Los Angeles safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Los Angeles scores 71/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Los Angeles is generally safe for visitors, but requires awareness of specific risks. 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 7 September 2026
71
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~74% of countries
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment64/100FairMostly positive with concerns
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
Health74Good
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 2026-09-04T13:53:33.0758808-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
High risk
58
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
70 / 100 (Mostly positive with concerns)
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
3.8M residents
63
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 with concerns
64/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive with concerns
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel comfortable in well-patrolled tourist zones but express concern over occasional street crime and visible homelessness.
Yes — Los Angeles is generally safe for visitors, but requires awareness of specific risks.
While major tourist areas are well-patrolled, Los Angeles has a higher crime rate than the national average, with significant variations between neighborhoods. Visitors should be aware of pickpocketing and robbery risks, particularly in crowded areas and certain districts.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026South L.A. man pleads guilty to armed robbery spree, admits to shooting victim during attempted carjacking.— Sierra Sun Times
- Jul 202611 arrested in California in investigation of India-based organized crime group.— NBC Los Angeles
- Jun 2026Hollywood sign tourism sparks public safety concerns among residents.— CBS News
- Jun 2026FBI Los Angeles highlights May 2026 activities, including disruption of transnational criminal organizations.— fbi.gov
Common scams
- Hollywood Walk of Fame costumed characters offering photos or 'free' mixtapes/autographs
- Rogue 'celebrity homes' tours
- Taxi scams
- Street scams involving unsolicited 'help' or 'free' items
Full briefing
Los Angeles is generally safe for visitors, but it is essential to be aware of the specific risks and exercise increased caution. The city's composite safety index is 74/100, indicating a generally safe environment, but this score is influenced by significant variations in safety across its vast urban landscape. Official advisories from the U.S. Department of State (Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution) and the Government of Canada (Exercise normal security precautions) reflect this nuanced situation.
The primary safety concerns for travelers in Los Angeles are pickpocketing and robbery. Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are noted as high-risk activities, particularly in crowded tourist hotspots like Hollywood Boulevard, Downtown LA, and major transit hubs. Robbery, including mugging and armed robbery, is considered a moderate risk and is more likely to occur in isolated neighborhoods at night, with specific mention of parts of South Los Angeles and the Skid Row area. While violent crime rates are lower than the US average, they are higher than in many other major global cities.
Recent reports highlight ongoing concerns. In September 2026, a South L.A. man pleaded guilty to an armed robbery spree that included a shooting during an attempted carjacking. Earlier in 2026, investigations led to arrests related to organized crime, and commentary from CBS News noted public safety concerns stemming from tourism around the Hollywood sign. While many tourist areas like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood are considered safe, areas such as Skid Row, Downtown LA, and certain southern districts require extra caution, especially after dark.
To ensure a safe visit, travelers should remain vigilant, especially in crowded areas. It is advisable to avoid walking alone at night in neighborhoods with higher crime rates and to secure vehicles, ensuring no valuables are left visible. Be wary of unsolicited offers or 'free' items from strangers, as these can be precursors to scams. Sticking to well-lit, well-trafficked tourist zones will significantly enhance your safety. Public transportation is available but requires caution, particularly during off-peak hours.
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.
South Los AngelesavoidHigh crime rates, including armed robbery, warrant avoidance.
Skid RowavoidSignificant crime issues and homelessness; best avoided.
Pico-UnionavoidReported as having high crime rates and should be avoided.
HollywoodcautionHigh tourist traffic increases pickpocketing risk; stay aware of surroundings.
Downtown LAcautionHigher crime rates, particularly Skid Row; exercise caution, especially at night.
Beverly HillssaferAffluent area with heavy security presence and low crime rates.
Santa MonicasaferBeach community with good lighting, regular patrols, and active pedestrian areas.
West HollywoodsaferActive nightlife and tourist-friendly amenities, generally safe with standard precautions.
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 South Los Angeles, Skid Row, Pico-Union, Hollywood. 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 visitors, but requires awareness of specific risks. While major tourist areas are well-patrolled, Los Angeles has a higher crime rate than the national average, with significant variations between neighborhoods. Visitors should be aware of pickpocketing and robbery risks, particularly in crowded areas and certain districts. (Assessed 7 September 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 South Los Angeles, Skid Row, Pico-Union as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Los Angeles (2026)?
- Hollywood Walk of Fame costumed characters offering photos or 'free' mixtapes/autographs
- Rogue 'celebrity homes' tours
- Taxi scams
- Street scams involving unsolicited 'help' or 'free' items
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 71/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this los-angeles safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 11+ 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: los-angeles.json (CC BY 4.0).