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Is Memphis safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Memphis scores 64/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — Memphis is moderately safe for visitors who stick to well-patrolled tourist zones like downtown and Beale Street and avoid high-crime neighborhoods after dark. 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
Memphis 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 10 September 2026
64
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~63% of countries
What drives this score
Crime52/100CautionCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment65/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
Health75Good
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 2026-09-09T09:13:44.6475171-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
633k residents
73
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 risk is moderate overall but higher in North and South Memphis; incidents occur near ATMs and in less-patrolled areas after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded tourist spots like Beale Street and downtown attractions, especially during events and festivals.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
65/100
Reported feel60Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel reasonably safe in tourist zones during daylight hours, but express caution about nighttime exploration beyond Beale Street and downtown due to crime concerns.
Yes — Memphis is moderately safe for visitors who stick to well-patrolled tourist zones like downtown and Beale Street and avoid high-crime neighborhoods after dark.
Memphis has elevated violent and property crime rates compared to national averages, but recent data shows violent crime down nearly 40% from 2023 peaks. Tourist areas benefit from increased police presence, while risks concentrate in North and South Memphis, particularly after dark. Visitors should exercise standard urban precautions, especially regarding pickpocketing in crowds and robbery near ATMs.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026National Guard members on patrol in Memphis fatally shot a man during a pursuit— PBS
- Jun 2026Memphis violent crime down nearly 40% year-over-year, but officials warn against complacency— Action News 5
- Jun 2026Armed Career Criminal from Memphis sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for bank robbery and firearm possession— Department of Justice (.gov)
- Mar 2026President Trump visited Memphis to tout crime-fighting efforts amid debate over safe task force impact— FOX13 Memphis
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging or fake meters
- Distraction scams targeting tourists on Beale Street
- ATM card-skimming devices
Full briefing
Memphis presents a mixed safety picture for travelers in September 2026. While the city continues to grapple with historically high crime rates — particularly violent crime, which remains well above the U.S. average — recent trends show improvement, with violent crime down nearly 40% from 2023 pea
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Memphis districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Memphis safety map.
North MemphisavoidHigh violent crime concentration; areas like Binghamton and Smokey City see frequent incidents, especially after dark
South MemphisavoidElevated crime rates, particularly property crime and robbery; not recommended for tourists after dark
Hickory HillavoidSignificantly elevated crime; tourists advised to avoid, especially at night, per recent safety reports
Downtown MemphiscautionTourist hub with strong police presence but pickpocketing and robbery risks increase after dark
Beale StreetcautionEntertainment district with high foot traffic; moderate risk of scams and petty theft, especially at night
Cooper-YoungsaferTrendy, walkable neighborhood with low violent crime and active community policing
East MemphissaferAffluent residential and business area with low crime rates and strong security presence
GermantownsaferSuburb with very low crime, well-maintained parks, and considered one of the safest areas for visitors
07 · After Dark
Is Memphis 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 risk is moderate overall but higher in North and South Memphis; incidents occur near ATMs and in less-patrolled areas after dark.
After dark, be most careful around North Memphis, South Memphis, Hickory Hill, Downtown Memphis. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Memphis safety FAQ (2026)
Is Memphis safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Memphis is moderately safe for visitors who stick to well-patrolled tourist zones like downtown and Beale Street and avoid high-crime neighborhoods after dark. Memphis has elevated violent and property crime rates compared to national averages, but recent data shows violent crime down nearly 40% from 2023 peaks. Tourist areas benefit from increased police presence, while risks concentrate in North and South Memphis, particularly after dark. Visitors should exercise standard urban precautions, especially regarding pickpocketing in crowds and robbery near ATMs. (Assessed 10 September 2026.)
Is Memphis safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Memphis 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 Memphis should tourists avoid?
Field research flags North Memphis, South Memphis, Hickory Hill as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Memphis (2026)?
- Taxi overcharging or fake meters
- Distraction scams targeting tourists on Beale Street
- ATM card-skimming devices
How does Memphis compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Memphis ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 64/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this memphis safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ 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: memphis.json (CC BY 4.0).