A new study has pinpointed the ten most dangerous cities in the United States for international travelers, raising alarms about safety in urban destinations.
According to the 2025 travel safety report, cities such as Houston, Detroit, Denver, Washington, Seattle, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Portland are highlighted as areas of concern.
These places see millions of international visitors annually, yet they also bear increasing crime rates, marking a troubling dissonance between their appeal and the reality of street-level safety threats.
With international travel recovering post-pandemic, this report underscores a pressing need for potential travelers to weigh the risks associated with visiting these popular locations.
Citizens and tourists alike must exercise caution as crime rates rise.
Houston emerges as the most dangerous city, according to the study, boasting a Tourist-Risk Score of 88.2.
As the third-largest tourism city in South Korea, Houston welcomes over 887,000 international visitors annually.
However, its crime rate stands alarmingly high at 2,656 crimes per 100,000 residents, primarily consisting of theft and property offenses.
This high level of criminal activity presents potential hazards for overseas visitors exploring this vibrant city.
Meanwhile, Detroit ranks second on the list, with a Tourist-Risk Score of 84.3, despite attracting a smaller crowd of roughly 220,000 international tourists each year.
Detroit possesses the highest crime rate among the ten cities examined, with 2,941 crimes reported per 100,000 residents.
Travelers may find the city’s rich cultural history at odds with increasing risks, making it essential to remain vigilant.
In third place is Denver, boasting a Tourist-Risk Score of 82.9.
With 286,000 international visitors each year, its crime rate sits at 2,710 per 100,000 residents.
Violent crime is comparatively lower than that of Detroit, yet overall safety remains a critical concern for tourists.
Next, the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., claims the fourth position with a Tourist-Risk Score of 81.1.
This city is home to an impressive 1.6 million international visitors annually, yet its crime rate of 2,125 per 100,000 people suggests ongoing safety challenges.
Tourists enchanted by iconic monuments and museums may overlook the lurking dangers in various neighborhoods.
Seattle comes in fifth, presenting a Tourist-Risk Score of 79.8.
With a crime rate of 2,579 per 100,000 residents, the city’s reputation for stunning scenery is overshadowed by safety risks.
This high-achieving city is admired for its culture, but visitors should take precautions.
Philadelphia follows close behind in sixth; with a Tourist-Risk Score of 79.7, it reports crime levels of 2,602, while attracting around 529,000 international tourists each year.
Despite its array of historical attractions, certain neighborhoods raise significant safety concerns for tourists.
In seventh place, Minneapolis stands out with a Tourist-Risk Score of 79.1, despite having the lowest annual foreign tourist count at just 167,000.
However, the skyline of this Minnesota metropolis is fraught with risk, exemplified by a crime rate of 2,859 per 100,000 residents, serving as a stark reminder that low tourist traffic does not equate to low crime risk.
Though Los Angeles ranks eighth with a purportedly low crime rate of 1,966 per 100,000 residents, it is still a city to watch for travelers due to its status as the most visited on the list: 3.6 million foreigners pass through its borders each year, equating to increased exposure to potential safety issues.
Dallas comes in ninth, holding a Tourist-Risk Score of 76.9.
The city witnesses about 655,000 annual international visits, paired with a crime rate of 2,078.
Particularly, areas in and around downtown worsen the safety rating for tourists.
Finally, Portland completes the top ten with a score of 76.7, seeing just 138,000 foreign tourists annually.
Despite its less tourist-driven reputation, the city’s crime rate is disconcerting at 2,897 per 100,000 residents, second only to Detroit.
Houston, Detroit, Denver, Washington D.C., Seattle, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Portland stand as serious risk zones for foreign tourists in 2025.
With crime rates escalating, the safety of international travelers remains tenuous in these cities.
With the spotlight now on them, these destinations must contend with rising safety fears from visitors and locals alike.
image source from：travelandtourworld
