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United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Rochester scores 65/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Rochester is a city where normal security precautions are advised, with specific attention needed for street crime. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 13 October 2026
65
/ 100
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 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-10T19:41:02.6992267-04:00
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 a significant concern for residents, and violent crime is seen as a local problem.
Pickpocketing
ModerateWhile specific pickpocketing data is limited, the general concern about property crime suggests a need for vigilance in crowded areas.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed to Negative
56/100
Local sentiment indicates a low feeling of safety when walking alone at night, and a high concern about violent and property crime.
Rochester is a city where normal security precautions are advised, with specific attention needed for street crime.
While official advisories are low-risk, local sentiment and crime data indicate concerns regarding violent and property crime. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings, especially at night, and take standard precautions.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Rochester's safety profile suggests exercising normal security precautions, with a notable concern for street crime. While official advisories from Canada and the UK are low-risk, local sentiment surveys and crime reports highlight areas of caution for travelers.
Recent reports indicate a significant drop in the homicide rate in early 2026, a positive trend for violent crime. However, residents express a high level of worry about being mugged or robbed, and violent and property crime are perceived as significant local problems. Travelers should be particularly vigilant when walking alone, especially after dark, and take standard measures to secure their belongings.
The city has also seen incidents related to counterfeit goods, with CBP seizing fake FIFA jerseys in July 2026. Severe weather can also impact travel, as seen with a winter storm advisory in January 2026. It is advisable to stay informed about local weather forecasts and any travel advisories that may be issued. Travelers should also be aware of global health notices from the CDC, including alerts for Polio, Dengue, and Measles.
Was this Rochester, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 7 Rochester districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Rochester safety map.
North SideavoidHigher crime rates reported, particularly concerning violent crime and drug-related issues.
DowntowncautionHigher potential for petty crime and can feel less safe after dark.
South WedgecautionHas a vibrant nightlife but can experience increased petty crime and requires awareness after dark.
Ontario Beach ParkcautionRecent reports of large disturbances necessitate increased vigilance.
East SidesaferGenerally considered a more affluent and safer residential area.
West SidesaferLargely residential with lower reported crime rates.
University DistrictsaferGenerally safe due to student presence and university security, but exercise normal precautions.
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 a significant concern for residents, and violent crime is seen as a local problem.
After dark, be most careful around North Side, Downtown, South Wedge, Ontario Beach Park. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Rochester is a city where normal security precautions are advised, with specific attention needed for street crime. While official advisories are low-risk, local sentiment and crime data indicate concerns regarding violent and property crime. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings, especially at night, and take standard precautions. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Rochester 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.
Field research flags North Side as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Rochester ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 65/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, 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.
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Raw data: rochester.json (CC BY 4.0).
