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Is San Francisco safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, San Francisco scores 72/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. San Francisco is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though property crime remains a notable concern. 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
San Francisco 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 8 October 2026
72
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime62/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment68/100FairMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health79Good
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 2026-10-08T06:25:21.5185863-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
828k residents
70
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 are uncommon for tourists but can occur after dark in less-patrolled areas like Bayview-Hunters Point and parts of the Tenderloin.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are frequent in high-traffic tourist spots and on Muni lines, especially during rush hour and at crowded events.
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
Solo female travelers generally feel safe during daylight hours, though extra caution is advised at night. Visitor reports indicate a trouble-free trip is common with basic precautions.
Yes. San Francisco is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though property crime remains a notable concern.
Violent crime against tourists is uncommon, but property crime—especially car break-ins and petty theft—is frequent in tourist areas and on public transit. Recent data shows declining violent crime citywide, with homicides at a 70-year low in 2025. Visitors should stay vigilant in high-traffic zones and avoid leaving valuables in vehicles.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026San Francisco’s car crime has plunged, with break-ins down 44% in 2025 and continuing to decline in 2026.— NPR
- Oct 2026Violent crime is dropping in the Bay Area and nationwide, according to FBI and local data.— ABC7 San Francisco
- Aug 2026San Francisco recorded 28 homicides in 2025, the lowest count since 1954 and the lowest homicide rate in 70 years.— justmovetosf.com
- Mar 2026U.S. issued a ‘worldwide caution’ alert to travelers amid Iran war, affecting outbound travel awareness.— San Francisco Chronicle
Common scams
- Rental Car Smash-and-Grab
- Fake Buddhist Monk Bracelet Hustle
- Taxi overcharging
- Street tricksters
- Fake ticket vendors
Full briefing
San Francisco’s car break-in problem has improved significantly, with thefts from vehicles down 44% in 2025 and the trend continuing into 2026, according to NPR reporting. Violent crime is also declining across the Bay Area, as confirmed by FBI and local data cited by ABC7 San Francisco in August 2026. The city recorded just 28 homicides in 2025—the lowest number since 1954—indicating meaningful progress in public safety despite persistent property crime risks. Tourist areas like Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf see frequent pickpocketing, especially during crowded events or rush hour on Muni lines, while robbery remains uncommon for visitors but can occur after dark in neighborhoods such as Bayview-Hunters Point and parts of the Tenderloin. Scams targeting tourists include rental car smash-and-grabs, fake Buddhist monk bracelet hustles, and overcharging by unlicensed taxi drivers. To stay safe, use secured parking garages, keep valuables out of sight, and remain alert in high-traffic zones. Solo travelers report feeling safe during daylight hours but should exercise extra caution at night. Overall, San Francisco remains a worthwhile destination with standard big-city precautions.
Was this San Francisco, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 San Francisco districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the San Francisco safety map.
TenderloinavoidElevated risk of petty crime and drug activity; visitors should avoid, especially after dark.
Bayview-Hunters PointavoidHigher incidence of violent crime; visitors should avoid, particularly after dark.
Union SquarecautionPetty theft and pickpocketing frequent in high-traffic tourist area; remain vigilant with belongings.
Fisherman's WharfcautionPopular with tourists; pickpocketing and bag-snatching reported, especially during peak hours.
Mission DistrictcautionVibrant area with higher property crime; remain alert for theft and scams in crowded zones.
SoMa (South of Market)cautionMixed safety due to ongoing gentrification; watch for car break-ins and remain alert at night.
ChinatownsaferGenerally safe during day with active foot traffic; exercise normal precautions at night.
Pacific HeightssaferAffluent residential area with low crime rates; safe for evening walks and tourism.
07 · After Dark
Is San Francisco 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 are uncommon for tourists but can occur after dark in less-patrolled areas like Bayview-Hunters Point and parts of the Tenderloin.
After dark, be most careful around Tenderloin, Bayview-Hunters Point, Union Square, Fisherman's Wharf. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
San Francisco safety FAQ (2026)
Is San Francisco safe right now (2026)?
Yes. San Francisco is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though property crime remains a notable concern. Violent crime against tourists is uncommon, but property crime—especially car break-ins and petty theft—is frequent in tourist areas and on public transit. Recent data shows declining violent crime citywide, with homicides at a 70-year low in 2025. Visitors should stay vigilant in high-traffic zones and avoid leaving valuables in vehicles. (Assessed 8 October 2026.)
Is San Francisco safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this San Francisco 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 San Francisco should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Tenderloin, Bayview-Hunters Point as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in San Francisco (2026)?
- Rental Car Smash-and-Grab
- Fake Buddhist Monk Bracelet Hustle
- Taxi overcharging
- Street tricksters
How does San Francisco compare with other places in United States (2026)?
San Francisco ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 72/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this san-francisco safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ 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: san-francisco.json (CC BY 4.0).