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
Full advisory →Is Newark safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Newark scores 70/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Moderate risk — Newark is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and avoid high‑crime neighborhoods. 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
Newark 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 21 August 2026
70
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~72% of countries
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment63/100FairMixed
Advisories63Fair
Stability75Good
Health80Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Fair
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 2026-08-16T19:46:48.7377248-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
High risk
45
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
68 / 100 (Mixed)
68
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
282k residents
82
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 in tourist zones but can occur in South Newark after dark
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is frequent in crowded transit hubs, especially Penn Station and the Newark Airport terminal
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
63/100
Reported feel68Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports on forums and Reddit indicate visitors generally feel safe in daylight but note heightened vigilance needed at night and in less‑policed districts.
Moderate risk — Newark is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and avoid high‑crime neighborhoods.
The multi‑database profile rates Newark’s composite safety index at 72/100 (SAFE) and the crowdsourced crime index at 49.2/100 (moderate), reflecting low homicide and terrorism rates but higher petty theft and pickpocketing concerns. Recent news shows protests and curfews around the Delaney Hall ICE facility, but no active disaster alerts. Visitors should exercise increased caution in certain districts, especially after dark.
Recent developments
- Jun 2026Curfew imposed after protests outside Delaney Hall ICE detention center; numerous arrests reported— NJ.com
- Jun 2026Protest over ICE conditions turns violent; police deploy tear gas— ABC7 New York
- Jun 2026Delaney Hall detainee dies in ICE custody, sparking high‑profile protest— CBS News
- Jun 2026Newark Mayor orders mandatory curfew half‑mile around Delaney Hall facility— DW.com
Common scams
- Currency‑exchange scams targeting tourists at airport shuttles
- Overpriced taxi rides from unlicensed drivers near the train station
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Newark is rated “moderate risk” for travelers. The composite safety index of 72/100 and a crowdsourced crime score of 31/100 indicate that the city is generally safe, but certain types of crime—especially pickpocketing and opportunistic theft—are more prevalent than in many U.S. destinations. Homicide and terrorism risks are low, yet the city’s street‑crime environment demands vigilance, particularly after dark.
Recent news from August 2026 documents several protests and a curfew imposed around the Delaney Hall ICE detention center. These incidents, reported by NJ.com, ABC7 New York, CBS News, and DW.com, show that while the protests are largely confined to a specific area, they can spill over and result in arrests. No active disaster alerts or extreme weather warnings are in effect, and hospitals are readily accessible within a kilometer of the city center.
The most common threats to visitors are pickpocketing in crowded transit points such as Penn Station and Newark Liberty International Airport, and occasional muggings in the South Newark neighborhoods after sunset. Scams targeting tourists include inflated taxi fares and currency‑exchange cons near the airport shuttles. Travelers should keep valuables concealed, use licensed rideshares or airport‑approved taxis, and stay in well‑policed districts like Downtown, Ironbound, or the university vicinity.
Practical safety steps: travel during daylight when possible, avoid poorly lit side streets in the identified high‑crime zones, and stay informed of any curfew or protest activity by checking local news. By maintaining awareness and following these precautions, visitors can enjoy Newark’s cultural attractions while minimizing personal safety risks.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Newark districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Newark safety map.
South NewarkavoidElevated violent crime and gang activity; avoid after dark and unfamiliar streets
Downtown NewarkcautionHigh pickpocketing and mugging risk; stay alert, avoid isolated areas after dark
West NewarkcautionMixed safety; some residential pockets safe but higher theft risk; stay vigilant
IronboundsaferWell-policed, vibrant community; low violent crime but watch belongings in crowded spots
University HeightssaferHome to Rutgers and hospitals; generally safe day and night, keep valuables secure
07 · After Dark
Is Newark 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 in tourist zones but can occur in South Newark after dark
After dark, be most careful around South Newark, Downtown Newark, West Newark. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Newark safety FAQ
Is Newark safe for tourists right now?
Moderate risk — Newark is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and avoid high‑crime neighborhoods. The multi‑database profile rates Newark’s composite safety index at 72/100 (SAFE) and the crowdsourced crime index at 49.2/100 (moderate), reflecting low homicide and terrorism rates but higher petty theft and pickpocketing concerns. Recent news shows protests and curfews around the Delaney Hall ICE facility, but no active disaster alerts. Visitors should exercise increased caution in certain districts, especially after dark. (Assessed 21 August 2026.)
Which areas of Newark should tourists avoid?
Field research flags South Newark as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Newark?
- Currency‑exchange scams targeting tourists at airport shuttles
- Overpriced taxi rides from unlicensed drivers near the train station
How does Newark compare with other places in United States?
Newark ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 70/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this Newark safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ 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: newark.json (CC BY 4.0).