Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
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Is St Louis safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, St Louis scores 72/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — St. Louis is safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and avoid high-crime neighborhoods after dark. 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
St Louis 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 7 September 2026
72
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~75% of countries
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment66/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
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 2026-08-18T09:29:04Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-09-04T13:53:33.0758808-04:00
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
65 / 100 (Mostly positive)
65
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
280k residents
81
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 elevated in North St. Louis city and North County suburbs like Wellston and Pagedale; rare in tourist corridors.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded areas such as MetroLink stations, Busch Stadium, and Union Station; keep bags zipped and front-facing.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
66/100
Reported feel65Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe in tourist districts during the day but express concern about nighttime safety and certain neighborhoods; recent surveys show confidence in well-patrolled areas like the Central West End.
Yes — St. Louis is safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and avoid high-crime neighborhoods after dark.
While St. Louis has elevated city-wide crime rates, tourist zones like Downtown, the Central West End, and Forest Park remain generally safe during daytime. Visitors should exercise caution at night and avoid North St. Louis and certain North County suburbs where violent crime is concentrated.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Federal authorities launched a violent crime enforcement surge in St. Louis City to address rising homicide and assault rates— FOX 2
- Aug 2026Two people injured in a shooting in East St. Louis, Illinois, part of ongoing gun violence in the metro area— KSDK
- Jul 2026Two teens arrested after five family members were killed in a shooting in Illinois, highlighting regional gun violence concerns— The Guardian
- Jun 2026Union nurses protested in St. Louis over workplace safety and staffing shortages at local hospitals— National Nurses United
Common scams
- Taxi overcharging and fake Uber drivers at Lambert Airport
- Street vendors selling counterfeit goods near tourist attractions
- Restaurant bill inflation with unauthorized charges
Full briefing
St. Louis remains a city of contrasts for travelers: while its overall crime statistics appear alarming, the reality for visitors is nuanced and manageable with basic precautions. The city’s tourist hubs — Downtown, the Central West End, and Forest Park — benefit from regular patrols, good foot traffic, and lower crime rates, making them safe for daytime exploration. However, North St. Louis city and nearby suburbs like Wellston, Pagedale, and parts of Normandy and Jennings experience concentrated violent crime, including shootings and robberies, and should be avoided, especially after dark. East St. Louis, Illinois, also faces persistent gun violence, as confirmed by recent incidents in August 2026 where two people were injured in a shooting.
Recent developments underscore ongoing challenges: federal authorities launched a violent crime enforcement surge in St. Louis City in August 2026, responding to persistent homicide and assault rates. This follows a July 2026 incident in which two teens were arrested after a mass shooting killed five family members in Illinois, reflecting broader regional gun violence concerns. Despite these risks, visitor sentiment in tourist areas remains mostly positive, with travelers reporting feeling safe during the day in well-patrolled zones like the Central West End and Forest Park. Nighttime caution is advised, as some areas become quieter and less secure after dark.
To stay safe, travelers should stick to well-lit, populated areas and avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods. Use verified rideshare apps instead of unmarked taxis, particularly at Lambert Airport, where fake Uber drivers and overcharging have been reported. Keep valuables secure and remain alert for pickpocketing in crowded spots like MetroLink stations, Busch Stadium, and Union Station. Be wary of scams such as inflated restaurant bills or counterfeit goods sold by street vendors near attractions. By concentrating visits in established tourist districts and maintaining situational awareness, visitors can enjoy St. Louis’s cultural offerings — from the Gateway Arch to its museums and barbecue — with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 St Louis districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the St Louis safety map.
North St. Louis CityavoidAreas north of Delmar Boulevard are frequently cited as unsafe and should be avoided.
East St. Louis (Illinois)avoidNoted for high crime rates and should be avoided.
DowntowncautionGenerally safe during the day, but can become quieter and less safe at night.
SoulardcautionActive nightlife scene, but can have issues, especially after dark.
Central West EndsaferWell-patrolled and considered one of the safer neighborhoods for tourists, with good foot traffic.
Forest ParksaferHome to major attractions, well-maintained with a regular security presence and family-friendly atmosphere.
The HillsaferKnown for its Italian heritage and generally considered safe.
07 · After Dark
Is St Louis 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 elevated in North St. Louis city and North County suburbs like Wellston and Pagedale; rare in tourist corridors.
After dark, be most careful around North St. Louis City, East St. Louis (Illinois), Downtown, Soulard. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
St Louis safety FAQ (2026)
Is St Louis safe right now (2026)?
Yes — St. Louis is safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and avoid high-crime neighborhoods after dark. While St. Louis has elevated city-wide crime rates, tourist zones like Downtown, the Central West End, and Forest Park remain generally safe during daytime. Visitors should exercise caution at night and avoid North St. Louis and certain North County suburbs where violent crime is concentrated. (Assessed 7 September 2026.)
Is St Louis safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this St Louis 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 St Louis should tourists avoid?
Field research flags North St. Louis City, East St. Louis (Illinois) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in St Louis (2026)?
- Taxi overcharging and fake Uber drivers at Lambert Airport
- Street vendors selling counterfeit goods near tourist attractions
- Restaurant bill inflation with unauthorized charges
How does St Louis compare with other places in United States (2026)?
St Louis 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 st-louis 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.
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