United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Pittsburgh scores 77/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Pittsburgh is generally safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and exercise normal urban precautions, though property crime is above national averages and nighttime caution is necessary. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 29 July 2026
77
/ 100
Safer than ~83% 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
ModerateMugging risk to visitors is low in tourist zones, but organized robbery and carjacking occur; downtown after business hours and isolated areas carry elevated risk
Pickpocketing
ModerateProperty crime rates are above national average; pickpocketing and bag-snatching risk is moderate in crowded areas (stadiums, parks, downtown shops) — typical urban awareness needed
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Cautiously Positive
67/100
Travelers report Pittsburgh is safe and welcoming during daytime in tourist districts, but acknowledge property crime risk and counsel nighttime caution. It ranks safer than many major U.S. cities but requires standard urban awareness.
Yes — Pittsburgh is generally safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and exercise normal urban precautions, though property crime is above national averages and nighttime caution is necessary.
Pittsburgh ranks as SAFE (80/100 composite) and is safer than ~86% of countries. Most crime concentrates in residential neighborhoods that tourists naturally avoid. Daylight safety is solid in visitor areas, but property crime and nighttime risks warrant standard urban awareness.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
SAFETY BRIEFING
Pittsburgh is generally safe for visitors, particularly in tourist areas during daylight hours. The city ranks as SAFE (80/100 composite index) and is safer than approximately 86% of countries globally. Official advisories are minimal—the UK FCDO offers no travel warning, and Canada advises only "normal security precautions." While Pittsburgh's homicide rate (5.8 per 100,000) sits slightly above the U.S. average, it remains well below more dangerous cities worldwide.
The safety picture changes sharply with location and time. Property crime rates are above the national average, and nighttime safety perceptions drop noticeably (51/100 feeling safe alone at night vs. 77/100 during the day). The real risk concentrates in specific residential neighborhoods that tourists naturally avoid—the danger is not pervasive across the city but localized to areas outside the visitor zone. Travel sites and reddit threads confirm that Pittsburgh is safer than many major U.S. cities if you stay in the right areas.
Recent incident data from the dossier reveals ongoing organized crime activity but not street crime targeting visitors. In March 2026, federal authorities arrested individuals involved in a months-long crime spree spanning kidnapping, robbery, and carjacking, with arrests made in downtown parking areas (TribLIVE.com, WTAE). In April 2026, six people were charged with hate crimes in an attack on a Jewish student (USA Today). In June 2026, the FBI conducted "Summer Heat 2.0," an organized-crime takedown (fbi.gov). These incidents appear targeted or organized rather than random. Travelers consistently report Pittsburgh as welcoming during daytime in established districts but counsel vigilance against petty theft and after-dark caution.
To stay safe: remain in downtown, waterfront entertainment areas, Shadyside, and university neighborhoods—all well-lit and regularly patrolled. Use rideshare (Uber/Lyft) for transport rather than street taxis. Keep valuables out of sight in crowded areas, and avoid isolated locations at night. Watch for taxi overcharging, restaurant mark-ups on tourist menus, and fake tour operators—book transportation and tours in advance. The city's infrastructure, medical facilities, and police presence in visitor zones support safe daytime exploration for those who follow standard urban precautions.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 Pittsburgh districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the Pittsburgh safety map.
Homewood-BrushtonavoidHigh violent crime rates; not recommended for visitor exploration
Hill DistrictavoidHigh crime area; avoid especially at night
HazelwoodavoidSignificant property and violent crime activity; unsuitable for tourism
Downtown PittsburghcautionSafe during business hours; avoid after dark. Mar 2026 crime incidents (kidnapping, robbery) in parking garages documented
Strip DistrictcautionEntertainment and nightlife area; stay alert for pickpockets in crowded venues and public transit
ShadysidesaferUpscale neighborhood with trendy restaurants, shops, and nightlife; well-patrolled with good pedestrian infrastructure
North ShoresaferMajor tourist hub with stadiums, museums, and riverfront; regular police presence ensures visitor safety
OaklandsaferUniversity district with strong community presence, good lighting, and low crime rates near campus
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging risk to visitors is low in tourist zones, but organized robbery and carjacking occur; downtown after business hours and isolated areas carry elevated risk
After dark, be most careful around Homewood-Brushton, Hill District, Hazelwood, Downtown Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Yes — Pittsburgh is generally safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and exercise normal urban precautions, though property crime is above national averages and nighttime caution is necessary. Pittsburgh ranks as SAFE (80/100 composite) and is safer than ~86% of countries. Most crime concentrates in residential neighborhoods that tourists naturally avoid. Daylight safety is solid in visitor areas, but property crime and nighttime risks warrant standard urban awareness. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags Homewood-Brushton, Hill District, Hazelwood as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Pittsburgh ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 77/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
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.
Browse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: pittsburgh.json (CC BY 4.0).
