United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Phoenix scores 76/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes—Phoenix is moderately safe for visitors in well-traveled areas, though property crime and extreme summer heat require standard urban precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 29 July 2026
76
/ 100
Safer than ~81% 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
ModerateHomicide rate (5.8/100k) exceeds national average; mugging and armed robbery concentrate in central Phoenix, South Phoenix, and Maryvale. Well-traveled neighborhoods and tourist areas are low-risk for visitors.
Pickpocketing
ModerateProperty crime is a noted local issue, though vehicle theft dominates over personal theft. Stay alert at transit hubs and crowded tourist venues like Old Town Scottsdale and downtown.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed but cautiously positive
67/100
Recent travelers describe downtown Phoenix as safe and welcoming by day. Violent crime has declined (May 2026), and most tourists in well-chosen neighborhoods report feeling secure. However, daylight safety far exceeds nighttime, and extreme heat is the most-cited daily concern.
Yes—Phoenix is moderately safe for visitors in well-traveled areas, though property crime and extreme summer heat require standard urban precautions.
Phoenix is a typical major U.S. city with manageable safety for tourists. Violent crime has been declining (May 2026), but property theft—especially auto theft—is above average. Summer heat (reaching 46°C in July) poses the greater daily risk. Tourist areas like Scottsdale and downtown are relatively safe by day; nighttime walking requires caution in central and west Phoenix.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Phoenix is a safe major U.S. city for visitors who exercise standard urban caution. Violent crime has been declining, and the city is considerably safer than many peer cities. Your main risks are not violent crime but rather property theft (especially auto theft), extreme desert heat, and seasonal dust storms. Official guidance from Canada and the UK rates Phoenix at the lowest advisory level: exercise normal security precautions.
On the ground, safety is sharply neighborhood-dependent. Tourist-heavy areas—Scottsdale, north Phoenix, and downtown during daylight—are well-patrolled and welcoming. Recent travelers describe downtown as "super chill" by day, though it hosts a visible transient population and requires caution after dark. Central Phoenix, South Phoenix, Maryvale (west side), and parts of Glendale are genuinely higher-risk, especially after sunset. The data is stark: daylight safety scores 70/100, but nighttime only 37/100. Property crime (particularly vehicle theft) is a real, documented concern that exceeds national averages.
Right now, in late July, your greatest daily hazard is heat and weather, not crime. Phoenix temperatures are reaching 46°C (115°F)—genuinely dangerous territory where heat exhaustion and heatstroke are real risks to careless visitors. Additionally, monsoon season is active; dust storms (haboobs) have been reported across the area (July 2026), creating sudden visibility hazards and treacherous driving. Respect these weather threats as seriously as you would crime. One recent incident underscores that while rare, violent crime does occur: a Glendale resident was charged with a federal hate crime for targeting a Phoenix synagogue (June 2026).
To stay safe: never leave valuables in your rental car (auto theft is rampant), use rideshare for evening movement rather than walking in central areas, stay hydrated and indoors during peak heat (11 a.m.–4 p.m.), and politely decline street cons in tourist zones. You'll have a perfectly safe and memorable visit by staying neighborhood-aware, weather-smart, and using common sense.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Phoenix districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Phoenix safety map.
South PhoenixavoidMixed safety across neighborhoods with higher violent and property crime rates; avoid unless guided by locals
MaryvaleavoidCommercial/residential district on west side; chronic crime issues throughout; avoid unless specific reason to visit
Central CityavoidHighest violent crime concentration in Phoenix, including aggravated assault and robbery; avoid entirely
Downtown PhoenixcautionSafe during day (museums, restaurants, entertainment), but requires caution at night; homeless presence; use rideshare after dark
SunnyslopecautionNorth-central area with homeless and crime issues, but police presence has improved safety in recent years
GlendalecautionNorthwest metro city; safe during day, but parts are dangerous at night—avoid walking alone after dark
ScottsdalesaferUpscale resort and dining district, well-patrolled with low crime and excellent tourist infrastructure
North PhoenixsaferNorthern suburbs significantly safer than central and western areas; residential and commercial mixed
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Homicide rate (5.8/100k) exceeds national average; mugging and armed robbery concentrate in central Phoenix, South Phoenix, and Maryvale. Well-traveled neighborhoods and tourist areas are low-risk for visitors.
After dark, be most careful around South Phoenix, Maryvale, Central City, Downtown Phoenix. 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 Phoenix's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Yes—Phoenix is moderately safe for visitors in well-traveled areas, though property crime and extreme summer heat require standard urban precautions. Phoenix is a typical major U.S. city with manageable safety for tourists. Violent crime has been declining (May 2026), but property theft—especially auto theft—is above average. Summer heat (reaching 46°C in July) poses the greater daily risk. Tourist areas like Scottsdale and downtown are relatively safe by day; nighttime walking requires caution in central and west Phoenix. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags South Phoenix, Maryvale, Central City as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Phoenix ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 76/100. 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: phoenix.json (CC BY 4.0).
