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United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, New Orleans scores 63/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. New Orleans is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, particularly in tourist areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 13 October 2026
63
/ 100
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk exists, particularly after dark in less frequented parts of the French Quarter and near public transit stops
Pickpocketing
HighBag-snatching and pickpocketing are common in crowded tourist zones, especially around Bourbon Street and during festivals
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
59/100
Visitors report feeling reasonably safe during daylight hours in tourist districts, but express concern about walking alone at night, reflecting ongoing wariness despite improving crime trends.
Yes. New Orleans is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, particularly in tourist areas.
The city has seen sustained reductions in violent crime, with homicide rates at their lowest in 50 years and NOPD reporting violent crime levels not seen since 1969. While petty crime like pickpocketing remains a concern in crowded areas such as the French Quarter, overall safety has improved due to sustained law enforcement presence and community initiatives.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
New Orleans has seen meaningful progress in reducing violent crime, with the homicide rate at its lowest point in half a century and overall violent crime down to levels not recorded since the late 1960s. This improvement is attributed to sustained police focus and community-led safety initiatives, including recent National Guard support that concluded in August 2026. While these trends are encouraging, the city still faces challenges with petty crime, particularly in high-traffic tourist areas where pickpocketing and bag-snatching remain frequent.
Visitors should remain alert in the French Quarter, especially after dark, as isolated robberies have been reported in less frequented streets and near transit points. The risk of mugging is moderate, but the likelihood of encountering pickpockets is high around Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and during crowded events. Scams targeting tourists include individuals posing as charity collectors, inflated tour offers, and street performers who expect payment after allowing photos. Practical safety steps include sticking to well-lit, populated routes, using rideshares at night, and securing valuables in a money belt when navigating crowds.
Despite these precautions, most travelers report feeling safe during the day in established tourist zones, and the city’s overall safety environment continues to improve. Official advisories from Canada and the UK urge only normal security precautions, reflecting confidence in the city’s ability to manage routine risks. With awareness and basic precautions, visitors can enjoy New Orleans’ culture and hospitality while minimizing exposure to avoidable incidents.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 New Orleans districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the New Orleans safety map.
New Orleans EastavoidHigher incidence of violent crime and property theft; not recommended for visitors, especially at night.
French QuartercautionPetty theft and scams common, especially at night; violent crime low but stay alert in crowds.
MarignycautionLively nightlife area; petty theft increases after dark, avoid isolated streets late at night.
Central Business DistrictcautionBusy during day; higher reports of pickpocketing and opportunistic theft, especially near transit hubs.
TremécautionHistoric neighborhood with moderate crime; daytime visits fine, avoid walking alone at night.
Garden DistrictsaferWell-patrolled, historic area with low crime; ideal for daytime walking.
BywatersaferTrendy residential zone with low violent crime; popular with visitors, exercise normal precautions.
Algiers PointsaferQuiet residential area across the river; low crime and well-regarded by locals.
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging risk exists, particularly after dark in less frequented parts of the French Quarter and near public transit stops
After dark, be most careful around New Orleans East, French Quarter, Marigny, Central Business District. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. New Orleans is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, particularly in tourist areas. The city has seen sustained reductions in violent crime, with homicide rates at their lowest in 50 years and NOPD reporting violent crime levels not seen since 1969. While petty crime like pickpocketing remains a concern in crowded areas such as the French Quarter, overall safety has improved due to sustained law enforcement presence and community initiatives. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this New Orleans 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.
Field research flags New Orleans East as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
New Orleans ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 63/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
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: new-orleans.json (CC BY 4.0).
