Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the United Kingdom due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
Full advisory →Make this report personalWho's travelling? A family, a woman alone, a business trip — the score and the key findings are re-weighted for your group, not the average traveller.8 districts
Is New York safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, New York scores 77/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — New York City is generally safe for visitors, with manageable risks. 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
New York 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 31 August 2026
77
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~83% of countries
What drives this score
Crime69/100FairHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment70/100GoodMostly Positive
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
Health78Good
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 2026-08-25T16:07:39.3337727-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
75 / 100 (Mostly Positive)
75
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
8.8M residents
55
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile overall crime is declining, felony assaults remain a concern, and visitors should be aware of their surroundings, particularly in less-trafficked areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in crowded tourist hotspots like Times Square and on busy subway lines.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly Positive
70/100
Reported feel75Mostly Positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Most travelers report New York City as a safe and enjoyable destination, with many noting it's safer than expected given its reputation.
Yes — New York City is generally safe for visitors, with manageable risks.
While New York City has a higher crime rate than many European cities, most tourists experience no issues by taking standard precautions. The primary risks involve petty crime in crowded areas and occasional instances of homelessness-related disturbances. Official advisories recommend increased caution.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Data shows NYC major crime is declining overall, but felony assaults remain high.— The City Reporter
- Jul 2026US travel advisory urges tourists to ‘exercise increased caution’ in Caribbean vacation hotspot (note: this is a general US advisory, not specific to NYC, but reflects a broader trend).— New York Post
- Feb 2026New York City experienced severe winter weather disruption, with a state of emergency declared and travel bans implemented.— travelwarningcheck.com
- Apr 2026US World Cup tourism falls short as international travelers abandon America over invasive crackdowns and safety concerns.— TheTravel
Common scams
- Tourist scams involving inflated prices or fake goods in popular areas like Times Square
- Taxi scams, such as taking unnecessarily long routes or using unmetered services
Full briefing
New York City is generally a safe destination for travelers, with most visitors experiencing no significant safety issues. The city's composite safety index of 70/100 indicates a moderate level of risk, with crime being the highest-rated risk category. While official advisories from the US State Department and other governments recommend exercising increased caution, this is often a general precaution for the United States rather than specific to severe threats within NYC itself.
On the ground, New York City presents a mixed safety picture. While overall crime rates are reported to be declining, felony assaults remain a concern. Petty crime, particularly pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is prevalent in crowded tourist areas such as Times Square and on busy subway lines. Visitors should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially in these high-traffic zones. Encounters with individuals experiencing homelessness or mental health issues can occur, and while these are usually verbal, it's advisable to maintain a safe distance and avoid engagement.
Recent reports indicate that while major crime is decreasing, specific incidents like felony assaults continue to be a concern. Extreme weather events, such as the blizzard in February 2026, have also caused significant travel disruptions, highlighting the vulnerability of transport infrastructure. Some reports suggest that broader US travel concerns, including invasive crackdowns and safety perceptions, have impacted tourism. Common scams targeting tourists include inflated pricing in popular areas and taxi-related deceptions.
To ensure a safe visit, travelers should practice common-sense precautions. Keep valuables secure and out of sight, particularly in crowded public spaces. Utilize official taxi services or reputable ride-sharing apps, and be wary of unsolicited offers or overly friendly strangers. While the risk of mass shootings is statistically very low for individual travelers, maintaining situational awareness is always recommended. By staying alert and informed, visitors can confidently explore all that New York City has to offer.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 New York districts for visitors: 4 safer, 4 needing caution. See them plotted on the New York safety map.
Times SquarecautionVery crowded, high risk of pickpocketing and tourist scams.
HarlemcautionWhile gentrification has improved safety, some areas still experience higher crime rates; exercise caution, especially after dark.
Lower East SidecautionCan be lively at night, but some areas have higher crime rates; stay aware of surroundings.
Coney IslandcautionGenerally safe during the day and peak season, but can be less so at night or off-season; be aware of surroundings.
Midtown ManhattansaferHigh police presence and tourist focus make it generally safe, but be aware of pickpockets.
Financial DistrictsaferGenerally safe, especially during business hours; quieter at night.
Greenwich VillagesaferKnown for its vibrant atmosphere and generally low crime rates.
ChinatownsaferGenerally safe for tourists, but watch out for petty theft in crowded areas.
07 · After Dark
Is New York safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
While overall crime is declining, felony assaults remain a concern, and visitors should be aware of their surroundings, particularly in less-trafficked areas.
After dark, be most careful around Times Square, Harlem, Lower East Side, Coney Island. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
New York safety FAQ
Is New York safe for tourists right now?
Yes — New York City is generally safe for visitors, with manageable risks. While New York City has a higher crime rate than many European cities, most tourists experience no issues by taking standard precautions. The primary risks involve petty crime in crowded areas and occasional instances of homelessness-related disturbances. Official advisories recommend increased caution. (Assessed 31 August 2026.)
Which areas of New York should tourists avoid?
Specific areas within certain outer boroughs known for higher crime rates (refer to local crime maps for precise locations).. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in New York?
- Tourist scams involving inflated prices or fake goods in popular areas like Times Square
- Taxi scams, such as taking unnecessarily long routes or using unmetered services
How does New York compare with other places in United States?
New York ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 77/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this New York safety score calculated?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: new-york.json (CC BY 4.0).