United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Oakland scores 67/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Oakland presents a mixed safety profile, requiring travelers to exercise caution and awareness. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 29 July 2026
67
/ 100
Safer than ~68% of countries
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 2026-07-23T16:13:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWorry about being mugged or robbed is high, and violent crime is seen as a significant local problem, though recent reports indicate a downward trend.
Pickpocketing
ModerateProperty crime is a significant concern, with smash-and-grab attacks on cars being common; vigilance is needed in tourist areas and around vehicles.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Negative
53/100
Locals and visitors report feeling unsafe, particularly when walking alone at night, with high concerns about mugging, robbery, and property crime.
Oakland presents a mixed safety profile, requiring travelers to exercise caution and awareness.
While official advisories suggest normal precautions, local sentiment and crime data indicate significant risks, particularly concerning property crime and personal safety after dark. Recent trends show a decrease in violent crime, but street-level issues persist.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Oakland, California, presents a complex safety landscape for travelers. While official government advisories from Canada and the UK recommend exercising normal security precautions, local sentiment and crime statistics suggest a need for heightened awareness. The city's composite safety index is moderate, but specific indicators, such as the feeling of safety when walking alone at night (22/100) and the worry about being mugged or robbed (69/100), highlight significant traveler concerns.
Recent data indicates a positive trend in reducing violent crime, with reports suggesting it has been down for two consecutive years and continues to trend downward into 2026, according to police. However, property crime remains a substantial issue. Smash-and-grab attacks on vehicles are frequently mentioned, and travelers are strongly advised to leave no valuables visible in their cars. The Wikivoyage background also notes that while the hills may be safer from violent crime, property crime is still a concern there. Areas like West Oakland (south of I-580 and west of I-980) and East Oakland (southeast of Lake Merritt) are flagged as requiring particular caution, especially at night.
Despite the overall concerns, official advisories do not recommend against travel. The dossier includes a recent incident in June 2026 where a family spoke out after an East Bay nurse was killed, underscoring that violent incidents can still occur. Additionally, a brazen museum heist in October 2025 involving over 1,000 stolen items points to the audacity of some criminal elements. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, especially in less populated areas or when venturing off the beaten path.
To ensure a safer visit, travelers should prioritize personal security. This includes never leaving anything visible in parked cars, securing bicycles with robust locks, and being extra vigilant when walking after dark, sticking to well-lit and busy streets. While the city grapples with its crime issues, official guidance remains at a low level, suggesting that with prudent precautions, a visit to Oakland can be managed safely. Travelers should also be aware of global health notices from the CDC, including advisories for Polio, Dengue, and Measles.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Oakland districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Oakland safety map.
East OaklandavoidAreas southeast of Lake Merritt have higher crime rates and are best avoided, particularly at night.
West OaklandavoidAreas south of 580 and west of 980 have higher crime rates and are best avoided, particularly at night.
Downtown OaklandcautionHigh foot traffic can attract pickpockets; be aware of surroundings, especially after dark.
Jack London SquarecautionPopular area, but opportunistic theft can occur; secure belongings and avoid isolated spots at night.
Uptown OaklandcautionVibrant, but petty crime like car break-ins and pickpocketing are concerns; stay alert.
Lake MerrittsaferGenerally safe for daytime activities, but exercise caution in less populated areas around the perimeter, especially at night.
RockridgesaferConsidered a safer residential neighborhood with less reported crime.
Piedmont (enclave)saferAn affluent, generally very safe enclave within Oakland.
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Worry about being mugged or robbed is high, and violent crime is seen as a significant local problem, though recent reports indicate a downward trend.
After dark, be most careful around East Oakland, West Oakland, Downtown Oakland, Jack London Square. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Oakland's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Oakland presents a mixed safety profile, requiring travelers to exercise caution and awareness. While official advisories suggest normal precautions, local sentiment and crime data indicate significant risks, particularly concerning property crime and personal safety after dark. Recent trends show a decrease in violent crime, but street-level issues persist. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags East Oakland, West Oakland as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Oakland ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 67/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ 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.
Browse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: oakland.json (CC BY 4.0).
