v256.0 · safety · US · verified 2026-04
United States safety + risk profile
Safety profile for United States — overall risk level, official advisories from UK FCDO + US State Dept, crime, terrorism, political stability, natural disasters, road safety, healthcare risks, cyber risks. Verified against authoritative government sources.
Overall risk assessment
MODERATE — varies dramatically by city + state
Official government advisories
| US State Department | N/A (US is home country) |
| UK FCDO | Travel as normal · Be aware of state-specific firearm laws, civil unrest risk |
Crime + areas
| Crime overview | Mixed — overall low violent crime in most areas · High in specific cities (Memphis, Detroit, St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans) · Mass shooting risk concentrated but unpredictable · Petty theft + scams in tourist areas (NYC Times Square, SF Tenderloin, LA Downtown, Vegas Strip) · Vehicle break-ins SF/LA major issue |
| Safest areas | Most suburban + rural areas · Boston, Seattle suburbs, Portland (some areas), Denver, Austin, Charleston, Honolulu, Hawaii outer islands · Most New England + Pacific Northwest rural |
| Higher-risk areas | Memphis, Detroit, St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans, Cleveland have elevated violent crime · Chicago South+West sides · NYC midnight subway specific areas · SF Tenderloin · LA Skid Row |
Terrorism + political stability
| Terrorism risk | MODERATE — domestic + foreign threats · 9/11 historical · Boston Marathon 2013 · Las Vegas 2017 (mass shooting, not terrorism technically) · FBI active · Lone-wolf attacks ongoing concern |
| Political stability | STABLE but POLARIZED — 2024 Trump election + 2025 second-term Jan 20 · Jan 6 2021 Capitol unrest historical · Political polarization high but institutional stability maintained · Civil unrest BLM 2020, post-election occasional |
Natural + practical risks
| Natural disasters | HIGH variability — hurricanes Gulf + Atlantic (Helene + Milton Sept-Oct 2024 devastating Florida/Carolina), tornadoes Midwest, wildfires California/Pacific Northwest (LA fires Jan 2025), earthquakes California/Alaska, blizzards Northeast/Midwest |
| Road safety | Moderate — Death rate ~127 per million (2024) · Above developed-nation average · Drink-driving + distracted driving issues · Drive on right · Some rural areas long emergency-response times |
| Healthcare risks | Low for most diseases (CDC excellent) · HIGH FINANCIAL risk for uninsured travelers (USD 100K+ hospital bills routine for serious incidents) · Lyme disease Northeast + Upper Midwest · West Nile + EEE seasonal |
| Cyber risks | High frequency of cyber events but world-class defensive · CISA + FBI active · Major incidents (SolarWinds, Colonial Pipeline 2021, Change Healthcare 2024) · Strong CIRT ecosystem |
Emergency numbers
911 (general emergency) · 311 (non-emergency municipal services in many cities)
Recent changes (2023-2026)
2024-25: Hurricane Helene + Milton Sept-Oct 2024 (Florida + Carolinas devastating, 300+ deaths) · LA wildfires Jan 2025 (180K+ acres, USD 50B+ damage) · Trump 2nd term Jan 2025 · Political polarization remains high · Mass-shooting incidents recurrent
Source: UK FCDO official advisory page · Cross-checked against US State Dept, Australian DFAT, Canadian travel advisories · Last verified 2026-04
See also: United States country profile · safety atlas