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 Wed, 09 Sep 2026
Full advisory →Personalize report nowTailor this report to you.Next: age, gender, group size preference…Next: the latest news and insightsNext: one click, 5 seconds, no costStart now8 districts
Is Phoenix safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Phoenix scores 74/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Phoenix is generally safe for visitors who stick to well-traveled areas and take standard urban precautions. 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
Phoenix 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 9 October 2026
74
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime66/100FairHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment68/100FairMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health75Good
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 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-09T16:30:07.1438259-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
78
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
70 / 100 (Mostly positive)
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
1.7M residents
62
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 risk is moderate, concentrated in central Phoenix, South Phoenix, and Maryvale; low in tourist zones.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching pose moderate risk, particularly in crowded tourist areas like Old Town Scottsdale and downtown transit hubs.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
68/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent travelers report feeling safe during the day in well-patrolled areas like downtown and Scottsdale, though some express caution at night in certain neighborhoods due to visible homelessness and property crime.
Yes. Phoenix is generally safe for visitors who stick to well-traveled areas and take standard urban precautions.
Phoenix has a composite safety index of 73/100, with violent crime concentrated in specific neighborhoods like Maryvale, South Phoenix, and parts of Central City, while tourist areas such as Scottsdale, downtown, and north Phoenix remain relatively safe. Property crime, especially vehicle theft, is elevated, but recent trends show a decline in violent crime as of mid-2026.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Man arrested during girl’s rescue in Phoenix now faces 9 child sex crime charges— AZ Family
- Jul 2026Man accused of fleeing to Mexico after 2022 Phoenix murder arrested, faces $2 million bond in court— ABC15 Arizona
- Feb 2026U.S. Attorney details federal case that shut down crime-plagued west Phoenix motel— 12News
- May 2026Phoenix sees drop in violent crime— Axios
Common scams
- Digital pickpocketing and QR-code parking traps
- Rideshare impostors at airport curbs
- Timeshare 'free breakfast' ambushes
- Fake discount theme-park tickets
Full briefing
Phoenix remains a generally safe destination for visitors who exercise standard big-city precautions, particularly in well-traveled areas like Scottsdale, downtown, and north Phoenix. Violent crime has shown a declining trend as of mid-2026, according to Axios reporting, though incidents remain concentrated in neighborhoods such as Maryvale, South Phoenix, and parts of Central City. Travelers should avoid these areas at night unless necessary, as mugging and armed robbery risks are moderate there, while pickpocketing poses a moderate threat in crowded spots like Old Town Scottsdale and downtown transit hubs. Recent incidents include a man arrested during a girl’s rescue now facing multiple child sex crime charges (AZ Family, August 2026) and a fugitive from a 2022 murder apprehended after fleeing to Mexico (ABC15 Arizona, July 2026). Property crime, especially vehicle theft, remains a notable concern, with cars stolen frequently across the city; visitors should always lock vehicles, hide valuables, and use hotel safes. Scams targeting tourists include digital pickpocketing, rideshare impostors at airport curbs, and fake theme-park tickets, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix and consumer safety sites. Extreme heat is a seasonal hazard, particularly in summer, though October temperatures are more manageable. Overall, recent traveler sentiment is mostly positive, with many describing downtown and Scottsdale as safe and welcoming by day, provided visitors stay alert and avoid isolated or poorly lit areas after dark.
Was this Phoenix, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
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.
MaryvaleavoidHigh crime concentration; avoid almost all times unless essential
South PhoenixavoidHigher violent crime rates; avoid at night and exercise caution by day
Central CityavoidOne of Phoenix's most crime-heavy areas, especially for aggravated assault and robbery
Downtown PhoenixcautionGenerally safe by day but requires caution at night due to homelessness and property crime
Tempe (ASU area)cautionModerate crime but well-policed due to ASU presence; assaults reported near campus
GuadalupecautionUnsafe at night but interesting to visit during the day; sudden speed limit drop
ScottsdalesaferAffluent area with luxury resorts, low crime rates, and excellent tourist infrastructure
North PhoenixsaferWell-patrolled residential and resort area with very low crime rates
07 · After Dark
Is Phoenix 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 risk is moderate, concentrated in central Phoenix, South Phoenix, and Maryvale; low in tourist zones.
After dark, be most careful around Maryvale, South Phoenix, Central City, Downtown Phoenix. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Phoenix safety FAQ (2026)
Is Phoenix safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Phoenix is generally safe for visitors who stick to well-traveled areas and take standard urban precautions. Phoenix has a composite safety index of 73/100, with violent crime concentrated in specific neighborhoods like Maryvale, South Phoenix, and parts of Central City, while tourist areas such as Scottsdale, downtown, and north Phoenix remain relatively safe. Property crime, especially vehicle theft, is elevated, but recent trends show a decline in violent crime as of mid-2026. (Assessed 9 October 2026.)
Is Phoenix safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Phoenix 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.
Which areas of Phoenix should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Maryvale, South Phoenix, Central City as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Phoenix (2026)?
- Digital pickpocketing and QR-code parking traps
- Rideshare impostors at airport curbs
- Timeshare 'free breakfast' ambushes
- Fake discount theme-park tickets
How does Phoenix compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Phoenix ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 74/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this phoenix safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ 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.
More United States reports
6 reports
Nearby destinations
4 reports
Similar safety profile
4 reports
Keep exploring
Raw data: phoenix.json (CC BY 4.0).