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 Vancouver safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, Vancouver scores 73/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Vancouver, Washington is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though property crime and occasional scams require vigilance. 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
Vancouver 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 26 September 2026
73
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~77% of countries
What drives this score
Crime67/100FairCrime index 42.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment66/100FairMostly 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 2026-09-25T16:06:09.0930307-04:00
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
196k residents
83
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 occasionally, primarily in the Downtown Eastside and near transit hubs after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in crowded areas like Granville Mall on weekends and near public transit, especially during events
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 generally feel safe during daylight hours and in well-populated areas, but express unease walking alone at night and concern about vehicle theft, contributing to a moderate sense of day-to-day security.
Yes — Vancouver, Washington is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though property crime and occasional scams require vigilance.
Vancouver, WA shows moderate overall safety with a composite index of 77/100, driven by strong health, environment, and institutional scores, though crime and property-related risks remain elevated compared to national benchmarks. Visitors report feeling reasonably safe in daylight but express concern about nighttime walking and property theft, particularly in vehicles. Recent local sources confirm ongoing issues with drug-related activity and property crime in specific areas, while violent crime against tourists remains rare.
Recent developments
- Sep 2026B.C. truck drivers protest high diesel prices, causing localized traffic disruptions and potential roadside confrontations— globalnews.ca
- Sep 2026U.S. DEA agents found to have operated 'illegally' in Canada per B.C. Supreme Court ruling, raising cross-border law enforcement concerns— Vancouver Sun
- Jul 2026U.S. indictments targeted alleged Canada-linked crime groups, indicating ongoing transnational investigative focus— CityNews Vancouver
- Jun 2026Amtrak launched North America’s first passenger rail preclearance facility, increasing security screening at border crossings— Amtrak Media
Common scams
- QR-code sticker fraud on parking meters leading to fake payment pages
- Fake monk donation scams soliciting cash under false pretenses
- Gold or jewelry blessing scams targeting tourists in public areas
Full briefing
Vancouver, Washington presents a generally safe environment for travelers who take standard precautions, supported by strong scores in health, environment, and governance. The city benefits from low terrorism risk, excellent air quality, and accessible medical facilities, contributing to its overall safety index of 77/100. However, property crime remains a notable concern, with vehicle theft and vandalism frequently reported, particularly in certain neighborhoods. While violent crime against tourists is uncommon, the Downtown Eastside area — especially along Hastings Street — continues to experience higher levels of drug-related activity and associated disorder, warranting caution after dark.
Recent local developments reinforce the need for situational awareness. In September 2026, protests by B.C. truck drivers over diesel prices led to traffic disruptions that could affect travel routes, while a B.C. Supreme Court ruling found U.S. DEA agents had operated illegally in Canada, highlighting ongoing cross-border law enforcement tensions. Earlier in mid-2026, U.S. indictments targeting alleged Canada-linked crime groups signaled continued focus on transnational criminal investigations, though these operations primarily impact local networks rather than random visitors. Additionally, the launch of Amtrak’s rail preclearance facility in June 2026 means travelers should expect enhanced security screening at border points.
To stay safe, visitors should avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, park in secure or monitored lots, and remain alert in crowded nightlife zones like Granville Mall on weekends where alcohol-fueled disorder can occur. Common scams include fraudulent QR-code stickers on parking meters that redirect to fake payment sites, as well as fake monk donation schemes and jewelry-blessing ruses targeting tourists in public spaces. While daytime exploration of areas like Gastown and Chinatown is generally safe, these neighborhoods can become less secure at night due to increased homelessness and sparse foot traffic. By sticking to well-lit, populated areas, using official payment methods, and declining unsolicited offers, travelers can significantly reduce risk and enjoy Vancouver’s cultural and natural offerings with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Vancouver districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Vancouver safety map.
ChinatownavoidAvoid at night due to homelessness, drug activity, and increased property crime risk.
Downtown Eastside (DTES)avoidHigh levels of drug use, homelessness, and violent crime; avoid, especially Hastings St between Abbott and Gore.
Downtown CorecautionBusy area with moderate pickpocketing risk, especially at night near Granville Mall.
GastowncautionPopular tourist area; watch for petty theft and QR-code parking meter scams.
Mount PleasantcautionTrendy area with rising property crime; exercise caution after dark and secure belongings.
YaletownsaferUpscale, well-patrolled area with low violent crime and good lighting at night.
Coal HarboursaferAffluent waterfront district with low crime and strong police presence.
KitsilanosaferResidential beachside neighbourhood with low crime and family-friendly environment.
07 · After Dark
Is Vancouver 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 occasionally, primarily in the Downtown Eastside and near transit hubs after dark
After dark, be most careful around Chinatown, Downtown Eastside (DTES), Downtown Core, Gastown. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Vancouver safety FAQ
Is Vancouver safe for tourists right now?
Yes — Vancouver, Washington is generally safe for visitors who exercise normal precautions, though property crime and occasional scams require vigilance. Vancouver, WA shows moderate overall safety with a composite index of 77/100, driven by strong health, environment, and institutional scores, though crime and property-related risks remain elevated compared to national benchmarks. Visitors report feeling reasonably safe in daylight but express concern about nighttime walking and property theft, particularly in vehicles. Recent local sources confirm ongoing issues with drug-related activity and property crime in specific areas, while violent crime against tourists remains rare. (Assessed 26 September 2026.)
Which areas of Vancouver should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Chinatown, Downtown Eastside (DTES) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Vancouver?
- QR-code sticker fraud on parking meters leading to fake payment pages
- Fake monk donation scams soliciting cash under false pretenses
- Gold or jewelry blessing scams targeting tourists in public areas
How does Vancouver compare with other places in United States?
Vancouver ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 73/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this Vancouver safety score calculated?
The score blends 15+ 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: vancouver.json (CC BY 4.0).