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
Full advisory →Is New York safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, New York scores 68/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — New York City is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though pickpocketing and scams are common in tourist areas and subway crime has risen recently. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
New York 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 30 September 2026
68
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~69% of countries
What drives this score
Crime59/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment63/100FairMostly positive
Advisories63Fair
Stability75Good
Health76Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Fair
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 2026-09-28T13:39:06.6647711-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
8.8M residents
40
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 occur infrequently but are higher in isolated parks, poorly lit streets, and some outer-borough subway stations after dark.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are common in Times Square, Midtown, subway rush hours, and major tourist attractions.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
63/100
Reported feel67Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling generally safe during daytime activities in tourist areas, but express concern about subway safety and pickpocketing, especially after recent reports of increased assaults and thefts on transit.
Yes — New York City is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though pickpocketing and scams are common in tourist areas and subway crime has risen recently.
New York City's overall safety index is 69/100 (SAFE), with crime being the primary concern for visitors. While violent crime like mugging remains infrequent and concentrated in specific areas, petty theft and scams target tourists in crowded spots. Visitors report feeling mostly safe during the day but express heightened concern on subways and at night.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026More than 100 arrested as New Yorkers protest Netanyahu’s UN visit— Al Jazeera
- Sep 2026Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder arrested at anti-Netanyahu protest in New York— The Guardian
- Sep 2026Anti-Zionist Hasidic Jew faces deportation from US after protesting Israeli flag at New York town hall— Ynetnews
- Jul 2026Latest July 2026 crime reporting showed a mixed picture: overall major crime declined, but subway crime increased with reports of assaults and thefts— immigrants.live
Common scams
- Fake ticket sellers near Times Square and major attractions
- Taxi meter fraud or overcharging
- Street performers demanding payment after unsolicited photos
- Fake charity collectors in tourist zones
Full briefing
New York City remains generally safe for tourists in 2026, particularly in well-patrolled areas like Midtown, Downtown Manhattan, and popular tourist corridors. The city's composite safety index of 69/100 reflects a moderate overall risk environment, with crime being the primary concern for visitors — especially pickpocketing and scams in crowded areas. While homicide rates have declined to record lows and violent crime against tourists is infrequent, recent data shows a concerning uptick in subway-related assaults and thefts, prompting heightened awareness for transit use.
Current incidents from September 2026 highlight ongoing political protests around UN events, with over 100 arrests reported during demonstrations against Netanyahu’s visit, including notable figures like Susan Sarandon. These events remain localized and peaceful in nature but can cause temporary disruptions in Midtown and near UN headquarters. More directly relevant to traveler safety, July 2026 crime data from local sources indicates that while overall major crime decreased, subway crime rose — specifically assaults and thefts during rush hours and late nights — reinforcing the need for vigilance on public transit.
To stay safe, travelers should treat New York like any major global city: stay alert in tourist hotspots where pickpocketing is rampant (Times Square, Grand Central, major museums), avoid displaying valuables, and use common sense after dark. Stick to licensed transportation, avoid empty subway cars late at night, and trust your instincts if a situation feels off. While the FCDO and Canada advise normal precautions and the U.S. State Department urges increased caution (largely tied to terrorism concerns unrelated to typical tourist experiences), the bottom line is clear: with basic awareness, New York remains one of America’s safest large cities for visitors.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 New York districts for visitors: 3 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the New York safety map.
South Bronx (e.g., Hunts Point)avoidHigher incidence of violent crime and robbery; not recommended for tourists, especially at night
Midtown ManhattancautionHeavy tourist traffic increases pickpocketing risk, especially around Times Square and Port Authority
HarlemcautionGenerally safe during day; exercise caution at night in certain pockets due to sporadic reports of assaults
East VillagecautionPopular nightlife area with elevated reports of petty theft and scams targeting bar-goers
Downtown BrooklyncautionBusy commercial hub with moderate theft reports; remain alert on subway platforms after dark
Upper East SidesaferAffluent residential area with low violent crime and strong police presence
Upper West SidesaferFamily-friendly with low crime rates and good access to Central Park and transit
Williamsburg, BrooklynsaferTrendy, well-patrolled neighborhood with low violent crime and active community watch
07 · After Dark
Is New York 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 occur infrequently but are higher in isolated parks, poorly lit streets, and some outer-borough subway stations after dark.
After dark, be most careful around South Bronx (e.g., Hunts Point), Midtown Manhattan, Harlem, East Village. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
New York safety FAQ
Is New York safe for tourists right now?
Yes — New York City is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though pickpocketing and scams are common in tourist areas and subway crime has risen recently. New York City's overall safety index is 69/100 (SAFE), with crime being the primary concern for visitors. While violent crime like mugging remains infrequent and concentrated in specific areas, petty theft and scams target tourists in crowded spots. Visitors report feeling mostly safe during the day but express heightened concern on subways and at night. (Assessed 30 September 2026.)
Which areas of New York should tourists avoid?
Field research flags South Bronx (e.g., Hunts Point) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in New York?
- Fake ticket sellers near Times Square and major attractions
- Taxi meter fraud or overcharging
- Street performers demanding payment after unsolicited photos
- Fake charity collectors in tourist zones
How does New York compare with other places in United States?
New York ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 68/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this New York safety score calculated?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
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4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: new-york.json (CC BY 4.0).