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
Full advisory →Is Portland safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Portland scores 71/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Portland is generally safe for visitors, with moderate petty crime risks concentrated in specific downtown areas and occasional protest-related disruptions. 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
Portland 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 15 September 2026
71
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~74% of countries
What drives this score
Crime62/100FairCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment65/100FairModerately positive
Advisories63Fair
Stability75Good
Health79Good
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 2026-09-09T09:13:44.6475171-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
653k residents
73
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMuggings are uncommon but occur sporadically in downtown Portland, especially near transit stops and poorly lit streets after dark.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in crowded areas like Powell's Books, Saturday Market, and on TriMet buses and MAX light rail.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
65/100
Reported feel60Moderately positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Feel safe walking alone after dark: 60.0% (UN SDG Global Database, 2023), indicating moderate confidence in nighttime safety; visitors report feeling safe in tourist neighborhoods with proper awareness but caution in certain downtown zones.
Yes — Portland is generally safe for visitors, with moderate petty crime risks concentrated in specific downtown areas and occasional protest-related disruptions.
Portland's safety profile shows a composite index of 72/100, indicating it is safer than ~75% of countries. While violent crime has improved significantly — homicides dropped 51% in 2025 — property crime remains elevated, particularly vehicle break-ins and bike theft. Visitors should exercise normal big-city precautions, especially in downtown and Old Town/Chinatown after dark.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026Clarinet player arrested at Portland ICE protest sentenced to one year supervised release— Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB
- Aug 20264 Seattle teens arrested in NE Portland gas station shooting, tied to violent crime spree— KATU
- Jul 2026Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visits Portland ICE facility amid ongoing protest activity— Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB
- May 2026Portland scores 74/100 on IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — generally safe with moderate petty crime risks— ismytripsafe.com
Common scams
- Vehicle break-ins targeting visible valuables
- Bicycle theft rings
- Pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas
- Taxi overcharging or unlicensed drivers
Full briefing
Portland is generally safe for travelers who exercise standard urban precautions, particularly regarding property crime and situational awareness in certain areas. The city’s composite safety index of 72/100 reflects a safety level better than ~75% of countries globally, supported by strong scores in health, environment, and institutional governance. Violent crime has shown meaningful improvement, with homicides down 51% in 2025, though property crime — especially vehicle break-ins and bicycle theft — remains a persistent concern for visitors. Official advisories from the U.S. State Department (Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution) and Canada (normal precautions) align with this assessment, while the UK FCDO maintains no advisory against travel.
On the ground, visitors should be most vigilant in downtown Portland and the Old Town/Chinatown district after dark, where homelessness, occasional protests, and reduced lighting can elevate discomfort and petty crime risk. Pickpocketing is reported in crowded tourist spots such as Powell’s Books, the Saturday Market, and on TriMet buses and MAX light rail. Vehicle break-ins are the most frequently cited issue, almost entirely preventable by never leaving valuables visible in cars. Bicycle theft is also common, urging cyclists to use high-quality locks and avoid overnight street parking. Recent incidents from mid-2026 include a protest-related arrest at an ICE facility and a gas station shooting in Northeast Portland tied to a broader violent crime spree, though such events are localized and not indicative of widespread danger to tourists.
To stay safe, travelers should use normal big-city common sense: keep bags secured and front-facing in crowds, avoid displaying valuables, park in well-lit or monitored areas, and stick to well-populated, well-lit streets at night. Neighborhoods like the Pearl District, NW 23rd, Hawthorne, Alberta, Mississippi, and Sellwood are consistently cited as safe, walkable, and lively both day and night. While protests related to immigration enforcement occur periodically, they are typically peaceful and confined to specific zones; avoiding demonstration areas and heeding local news is sufficient. Overall, Portland offers a welcoming, culturally rich experience for visitors who remain aware and prepared — the city is recovering and revitalizing, with tourism infrastructure and neighborhood safety trending positively.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 10 Portland districts for visitors: 6 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Portland safety map.
Lents NeighborhoodavoidEast Portland area with higher property crime rates and visible social issues; exercise caution, particularly after dark.
Powellhurst-GilbertavoidEast Portland neighborhood with elevated theft and vandalism; not recommended for unfamiliar visitors at night.
Downtown CorecautionImproving but still sees pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and vehicle break-ins; use extra awareness after dark.
Old Town/ChinatowncautionTrending better but has visible homelessness and occasional disorder; avoid leaving valuables in cars, especially at night.
Pearl DistrictsaferUpscale area with good lighting, regular security patrols, and low violent crime; popular with tourists.
NW 23rd AvenuesaferTrendy, well-populated corridor with cafes and shops; natural surveillance from foot traffic day and evening.
Alberta Arts DistrictsaferGentrified cultural area with galleries and restaurants; generally safe daytime and early evening.
Mississippi AvenuesaferLively retail strip with active street life; good pedestrian presence deters crime.
Sellwood-MorelandsaferResidential southeast neighborhood with family-friendly vibe and low crime rates.
Washington ParksaferMajor green space with attractions like the zoo and gardens; well-patrolled and safe during daylight hours.
07 · After Dark
Is Portland 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 are uncommon but occur sporadically in downtown Portland, especially near transit stops and poorly lit streets after dark.
After dark, be most careful around Lents Neighborhood, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Downtown Core, Old Town/Chinatown. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Portland safety FAQ
Is Portland safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Portland is generally safe for visitors, with moderate petty crime risks concentrated in specific downtown areas and occasional protest-related disruptions. Portland's safety profile shows a composite index of 72/100, indicating it is safer than ~75% of countries. While violent crime has improved significantly — homicides dropped 51% in 2025 — property crime remains elevated, particularly vehicle break-ins and bike theft. Visitors should exercise normal big-city precautions, especially in downtown and Old Town/Chinatown after dark. (Assessed 15 September 2026.)
Which areas of Portland should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Lents Neighborhood, Powellhurst-Gilbert as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Portland?
- Vehicle break-ins targeting visible valuables
- Bicycle theft rings
- Pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas
- Taxi overcharging or unlicensed drivers
How does Portland compare with other places in United States?
Portland ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 71/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this Portland 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: portland.json (CC BY 4.0).