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Is Manhattan safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Manhattan scores 74/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Manhattan is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime risk but notable pickpocketing and scam threats in tourist zones. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Manhattan 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 20 October 2026
74
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime60/100FairCrime index 50.0 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment80/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health73Good
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
Urban scale factor
1.5M 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
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare for tourists and mainly occur in isolated residential blocks after midnight.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is common in crowded areas such as Times Square, Grand Central, Macy's, and subway stations, especially during peak tourist hours.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
80/100
Reported feel65Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe in active, well-patrolled areas like Midtown and the Upper West Side, but express caution in quieter blocks after dark or near transit hubs where petty crime is more common.
Yes. Manhattan is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime risk but notable pickpocketing and scam threats in tourist zones.
Manhattan's safety profile shows a composite index of 71/100, with crime being the primary concern at 60/100. While homicide rates match the U.S. average and violent crime against tourists remains rare, petty theft and scams are concentrated in crowded areas. Visitor sentiment reflects caution in specific zones despite overall improvements in citywide safety metrics.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Central Park carriage horse got loose, killing an 18-year-old tourist— ABC7 New York
- Oct 2026Person injured in a shooting involving ICE officers was taken to a Manhattan hospital— Reuters Connect
- Jun 2026Eight people indicted for impersonating shipping carriers in a multi-state retail theft ring— Manhattan District Attorney's Office
Common scams
- Fake ticket sellers near Times Square and Broadway theaters
- Unlicensed tour guides offering overpriced or non-existent services
- Distraction thefts where accomplices create a diversion to steal wallets or phones
Full briefing
Manhattan remains one of the safer major U.S. cities for visitors, with violent crime against tourists staying low despite a homicide rate matching the national average. The NYPD’s enhanced patrols, platform barriers, and nightlife safety programs have contributed to historic lows in murders and shootings, though pickpocketing persists in tourist-dense zones like Times Square, Grand Central, and subway stations during peak hours. Visitor sentiment is mostly positive in active, well-lit areas but drops in isolated blocks after dark, where street smarts become essential.
Recent incidents underscore the need for situational awareness: a freak accident in Central Park in June 2026 resulted in a tourist fatality when a carriage horse bolted, and an October 2026 shooting involving ICE officers led to an injured person being taken to a Manhattan hospital, highlighting isolated but real risks. Additionally, a multi-state retail theft ring impersonating shipping carriers was dismantled in June 2026, showing organized efforts target commercial zones that could affect visitors near commercial districts.
To stay safe, keep valuables in front pockets or a money belt in crowded places, stick to well-traveled avenues after dark, and use only verified transportation options. Avoid following locals blindly when crossing streets, as jaywalking is common but hazardous for unfamiliar pedestrians. While bias crimes rose during the pandemic, current data shows no active spikes targeting visitors, and the heavy police presence around major attractions continues to deter serious crime. Trust your instincts — if a route feels thin or deserted, switch to a cab or rideshare rather than waiting for delayed transit.
Was this Manhattan, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Manhattan districts for visitors: 4 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the Manhattan safety map.
Times SquarecautionHeavy police presence keeps violent crime low, but pickpocketing and scams remain elevated in crowds, especially during peak tourist hours.
HarlemcautionGenerally safe during day with active community presence; exercise increased caution at night in less frequented side streets.
East VillagecautionPopular nightlife area with moderate petty crime risk; remain alert for pickpocketing and scams late at night.
Washington HeightscautionResidential area with improving safety; avoid isolated parks and poorly lit streets after dark.
Midtown ManhattansaferWell-lit, high foot traffic, strong police presence; generally safe day and night for visitors.
Upper West SidesaferUpscale residential area with tree-lined streets, low crime rates, and excellent safety for solo travelers and families.
Upper East SidesaferAffluent neighborhood with consistent safety record, popular with locals and tourists; minimal violent crime.
Financial DistrictsaferHigh security due to office and institutional presence; very safe during business hours, reasonably safe at night.
07 · After Dark
Is Manhattan 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 rare for tourists and mainly occur in isolated residential blocks after midnight.
After dark, be most careful around Times Square, Harlem, East Village, Washington Heights. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Manhattan safety FAQ (2026)
Is Manhattan safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Manhattan is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime risk but notable pickpocketing and scam threats in tourist zones. Manhattan's safety profile shows a composite index of 71/100, with crime being the primary concern at 60/100. While homicide rates match the U.S. average and violent crime against tourists remains rare, petty theft and scams are concentrated in crowded areas. Visitor sentiment reflects caution in specific zones despite overall improvements in citywide safety metrics. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Manhattan safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Manhattan 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 Manhattan should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Manhattan (2026)?
- Fake ticket sellers near Times Square and Broadway theaters
- Unlicensed tour guides offering overpriced or non-existent services
- Distraction thefts where accomplices create a diversion to steal wallets or phones
How does Manhattan compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Manhattan ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 74/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this manhattan 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: manhattan.json (CC BY 4.0).