Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin the United Kingdom due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the United Kingdom.”
Updated Wed, 09 Sep 2026
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Is Washington D.C. safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Washington D.C. scores 74/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Washington D.C. is generally safe for visitors who exercise standard urban caution, particularly in well-patrolled tourist areas. 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
Washington D.C. 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 19 October 2026
74
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime65/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment68/100FairMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health76Good
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 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
690k residents
72
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMuggings and robberies occur particularly in less-trafficked areas and after dark, with higher incidence in Shaw, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, and near Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in crowded tourist areas, public transport, and busy streets, especially around Metro stations and on trains.
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
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel safe in heavily patrolled federal zones and tourist corridors, though some express concern about property crime and nighttime safety in certain residential neighborhoods.
Yes. Washington D.C. is generally safe for visitors who exercise standard urban caution, particularly in well-patrolled tourist areas.
The city's composite safety index of 76/100 reflects moderate crime risks balanced by strong federal security presence, good healthcare access, and low terrorism threat. While homicide rates align with the U.S. national average, violent crime shows mixed trends with recent declines in homicides but slight increases in other violent offenses. Visitors should remain alert to property crime in crowded settings and after dark in less-trafficked neighborhoods.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Thousands of No Kings protests held across U.S. for nationwide early voting 'day of action'— The Hill
- Oct 2026No Kings rallies across U.S. urge voters to cast ballots early ahead of midterms— PBS
- Oct 2026No Kings draws crowds with focus on early voting— NPR
- Sep 2026'Xi, You're Not Welcome': As Trump Hosts China's Leader, Thousands Protest in Washington— The Diplomat
Common scams
- Fake parking tickets
- Metro station change scams
- Aggressive street solicitors
- Fake charity requests
- Taxi or nightlife overcharging
Full briefing
Washington D.C. sees thousands participating in No Kings protests focused on early voting ahead of the midterm elections, with rallies reported across the city in October 2026. These demonstrations remain peaceful but draw large crowds to public spaces, increasing pedestrian density in areas like the National Mall and downtown corridors. While federal security presence remains strong around monuments and government buildings, visitors should expect temporary street closures and heightened police activity near protest zones. The White House noted in August 2026 that violent crime continues to decline in major U.S. cities, including Washington D.C., contributing to an improving safety trajectory.
Pickpocketing and bag-snatching remain moderate risks, particularly around Metro stations and on trains where mobile phones are frequent targets. Robbery incidents are more likely in less-trafficked residential areas and after dark, with neighborhoods such as Shaw, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, and the Gallery Place-Chinatown corridor identified as locations requiring extra vigilance. Travelers are advised to avoid side streets at night, travel in groups, and keep valuables concealed. Official Metro or rideshare services are recommended over unlicensed taxis, and belongings should be monitored closely in crowded venues like museums and restaurants.
Scams targeting visitors include fake parking tickets, Metro station change distractions, aggressive street solicitors, fraudulent charity requests, and occasional overcharging in taxis or nightlife venues. While these are generally low-level opportunistic tactics, they occur with enough frequency to warrant caution. Travelers should verify ticket authenticity through official channels, avoid engaging with unsolicited street offers, and use only licensed transportation. Overall, visitor sentiment remains mostly positive, especially in well-patrolled federal and tourist zones where extensive security measures contribute to a feeling of safety during daylight hours. Situational awareness, particularly after dark and in unfamiliar neighborhoods, remains the most effective precaution.
Was this Washington D.C., United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Washington D.C. districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Washington D.C. safety map.
AnacostiaavoidHigher rates of violent crime and homicides; visitors should avoid, especially after dark.
Near NortheastavoidElevated robbery and gun violence incidents; exercise extreme caution or avoid, particularly at night.
Adams MorgancautionVibrant nightlife area; muggings reported after dark—stick to main streets and travel in groups.
ShawcautionNightlife-centered neighborhood with pickpocketing and robbery risks; avoid side streets late at night.
Columbia HeightscautionReports of muggings and robberies, especially after dark; remain alert on public transit and main strips.
National MallsaferHeavily patrolled federal area with monuments and museums; safe day and night for visitors.
GeorgetownsaferHistoric upscale area with low crime, good lighting, and active foot traffic; popular and secure.
Dupont CirclesaferWell-maintained with embassies, galleries, and nightlife; regular police patrols make it safe for solo travelers.
07 · After Dark
Is Washington D.C. safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Muggings and robberies occur particularly in less-trafficked areas and after dark, with higher incidence in Shaw, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, and near Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station.
After dark, be most careful around Anacostia, Near Northeast, Adams Morgan, Shaw. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Washington D.C. safety FAQ (2026)
Is Washington D.C. safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Washington D.C. is generally safe for visitors who exercise standard urban caution, particularly in well-patrolled tourist areas. The city's composite safety index of 76/100 reflects moderate crime risks balanced by strong federal security presence, good healthcare access, and low terrorism threat. While homicide rates align with the U.S. national average, violent crime shows mixed trends with recent declines in homicides but slight increases in other violent offenses. Visitors should remain alert to property crime in crowded settings and after dark in less-trafficked neighborhoods. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Washington D.C. safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Washington D.C. 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 Washington D.C. should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Anacostia, Near Northeast as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Washington D.C. (2026)?
- Fake parking tickets
- Metro station change scams
- Aggressive street solicitors
- Fake charity requests
How does Washington D.C. compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Washington D.C. ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 74/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this washington-d-c safety score calculated (2026)?
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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