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United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, St Louis scores 76/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. St. Louis is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, particularly in tourist areas and during daylight hours. The main risks for visitors are robbery (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams.
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 13 October 2026
76
/ 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
ModerateMugging and armed robbery risk exists in certain north city neighborhoods; visitors should avoid areas like JeffVanderLou and Wells-Goodfellow after dark
Pickpocketing
LowPickpocketing is uncommon but possible in crowded attractions like the Gateway Arch grounds or Busch Stadium during events
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
68/100
About 60% of visitors report feeling safe walking alone after dark, reflecting confidence in tourist districts but caution in less familiar areas.
Yes. St. Louis is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, particularly in tourist areas and during daylight hours.
The city's composite safety index of 79/100 indicates it is safer than ~85% of countries, with strong scores in health, environment, and official guidance. While the homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k is above the global average, violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods away from typical tourist zones, and recent enforcement surges target violent crime hotspots.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
St. Louis presents a mixed but manageable safety picture for travelers. The city benefits from strong institutional scores and a government advisory level of "exercise normal security precautions," indicating no widespread travel restrictions. However, the homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k reflects ongoing challenges with violent crime, which is highly concentrated in specific neighborhoods such as those in the north city. Tourist areas like the Gateway Arch, Forest Park, and the Central West End remain generally safe, especially during daylight hours and when visitors stay alert to their surroundings.
Recent enforcement efforts, including an ATF-led surge and federal bureau initiatives launched in August 2026, signal increased focus on reducing violent crime and illegal firearms activity. These operations may contribute to improved safety over time but also indicate persistent concerns in certain districts. A notable incident in October 2026 involved a casino winner being followed across state lines and robbed at gunpoint after a significant slot win, highlighting a specific risk for visitors who display winnings or valuables after gambling. Financial crime trends, including fraud schemes, were also discussed in a June 2026 ACAMS event, underscoring the need for vigilance with personal information and transactions.
To stay safe, visitors should concentrate their activities in well-populated, tourist-friendly zones and avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods after dark, particularly in areas like JeffVanderLou or Wells-Goodfellow. Using rideshares or official taxis for nighttime travel is advisable, and valuables should never be left visible in vehicles. While pickpocketing is not a major threat, remaining aware in crowded venues such as Busch Stadium during events is prudent. By sticking to established tourist corridors and exercising standard urban precautions, travelers can enjoy St. Louis’s cultural attractions with minimal risk.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 8 St Louis districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the St Louis safety map.
North St. Louis (including JeffVanderLou and Greater Ville)avoidHigher rates of violent crime and poverty; not recommended for tourists, especially after dark.
Downtown St. LouiscautionGenerally safe by day with Gateway Arch and museums; avoid poorly lit streets after dark due to occasional petty crime.
SoulardcautionLively nightlife district; safe during events but watch for pickpocketing and bar-related altercations late at night.
South St. Louis (around Gravois Park and Dutchtown)cautionMixed-use area with ongoing revitalization; exercise caution, particularly in less frequented blocks after sunset.
Central West EndsaferUpscale, walkable neighborhood with low violent crime; popular for dining and boutique shopping.
The HillsaferHistoric Italian-American area with strong community presence; minimal safety concerns for visitors.
Lafayette SquaresaferHistoric residential area with well-maintained parks and low crime; ideal for daytime visits.
Delmar LoopsaferEntertainment and transit hub with strong police presence; safe for visitors day and night.
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 and armed robbery risk exists in certain north city neighborhoods; visitors should avoid areas like JeffVanderLou and Wells-Goodfellow after dark
After dark, be most careful around North St. Louis (including JeffVanderLou and Greater Ville), Downtown St. Louis, Soulard, South St. Louis (around Gravois Park and Dutchtown). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes. St. Louis is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, particularly in tourist areas and during daylight hours. The city's composite safety index of 79/100 indicates it is safer than ~85% of countries, with strong scores in health, environment, and official guidance. While the homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k is above the global average, violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods away from typical tourist zones, and recent enforcement surges target violent crime hotspots. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
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.
Field research flags North St. Louis (including JeffVanderLou and Greater Ville) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
St Louis ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 76/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
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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Raw data: st-louis.json (CC BY 4.0).
