With all its glamour and luxury,
Miami still suffers from a strongly held reputation as a dangerous city. Is it? There's no doubt that such massive metropolises are far from the safest cities in the world. The same is true in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., and of course, Miami. But whether the place itself is dangerous deserves more scrutiny. The city's mid-range crime rates certainly show one side of the coin, but many neighborhoods are still safer than most. Overall, Miami deserves more dissection to truly confirm whether it's a dangerous city or not.
What are Miami's Crime Rates?
A city's crime rates often serve as good indicators of how dangerous it truly is. When it comes to
Miami's crime rates, they often range from mid-range to high. According to Numbeo, the city currently has a general crime rate of about 59.21%, which is considered moderate. It's far from low, but it's not exactly high, either. What is concerning is that the city's rate of increasing crimes is 64.19%, which is already high. This doesn't bode well for Miami as a whole, and is often a reason why many are still skeptical to visit or move here.
What are the Most Common Crimes in Miami?
Now that you know about Miami's general crime rates, it's worth noting the highest-rated crimes in the city. They are, after all, the most commonly committed, which increases the risk of just about anyone getting into these sorts of trouble. Right off the bat, drug-dealing tops the list with a very high rate of 63.93%. This comes as no surprise since drugs remain a huge problem in big cities, both in Miami and beyond. Following suit is corruption, which is at 59.69%. As Miami is a major business hub, specifically in Florida, this comes as no surprise, too. The silver lining here is that both crimes aren't as violent as the others committed in Miami.
What's the Safety Rate in Miami?
What about the opposite? Just how safe is Miami today? There's already no denying that the city is far from the safest in the world, let alone in the US. Just like any other major city out there, Miami unfortunately has moderate to high crime rates. With that said, it's also worth noting that the city currently boasts a fairly high safety rate, which is 64.71% during the day. This should reassure locals and tourists alike that it's still safe to explore many parts of Miami while the sun is out, especially if necessary safety precautions are taken.
Is Miami Safe at Night?
Despite how high Miami's safety rate is at night, it's unfortunately a different story during the day. The city's safety rate drops to a mere 41.21% come nightfall, which isn't exactly low, but it's undoubtedly a cause for concern. While it's only considered moderate, this alone should tell you that it's not worth exploring parts of Miami after dark. Does this mean you shouldn't enjoy the city's famous nightlife? Not necessarily! You simply have to be more vigilant when you go out, stay aware of your surroundings, and it's better if you're accompanied by locals who know the area.
Miami's Most Dangerous Areas
At this point, it's probably time to determine the dangerous
neighborhoods in Miami. Does the city have them? Of course! The city wouldn't have gotten such a reputation if not for these dangerous districts. Unfortunately, the list includes Downtown Miami, the city center, and other central areas like Overtown, Little Haiti, and Wynwood. What most of them have in common is that they're some of the most urban parts of Miami, which means you're better off staying in the more residential parts of the city. Some of these places are still worth visiting from time to time, especially during the day, but you'd do well to avoid them at night.
These are often considered the most dangerous neighborhoods in Miami:
- Allapattah
- Brownsville
- Downtown Miami
- Little Haiti
- Overtown
- West Flagler
- Wynwood
Miami's Safest Neighborhoods
On the flip side, Miami has just as many safe neighborhoods, too. Despite its crime rates and the like, the city isn't this crime-ridden dystopia that others will have you believe. On the contrary, you'd hardly feel how dangerous the city gets when you stay in the likes of Bal Harbour, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, Flagami, Coral Way, and Fisher Island, among many others. Incidentally, these are some of Miami's most affluent areas, too, and as such, they can afford to have tighter security compared to the rest of the city.
Here are some of the safest areas in Miami:
- Bal Harbour
- Coconut Grove
- Coral Gables
- Coral Way
- Fisher Island
- Flagami
- Key Biscayne
- Venetian Islands
Is Miami Safe for Tourists?
The short answer to this is yes, it is. Whether you're in for a long vacation or you only have
day in Miami, you can remain safe throughout your stay here. It's all about where you stay and where you go at certain parts of the day. As mentioned previously, the city's safety rate is fairly high during the day, allowing you to explore as many places as you want with little to no concern. As long as you go back to the safer parts of town come nightfall, you're all good!
Should You Still Move to Miami?
As far as
moving to Miami is concerned, know that you'll still stay safe here as long as you settle down in a good neighborhood. You might be considering a place in Downtown Miami if you're relocating here for work, but you're better off living somewhere else instead. Fortunately, Miami's public transport is efficient enough that you can easily commute to work from the safer parts of town. You should also seriously consider staying in the more residential areas if you're moving with your family. Not only will your kids stay safer in such areas, but these places also have good schools.
Is it fair to say that Miami is a dangerous city? While it’s admittedly far from the safest place on Earth, let alone in the US, it’s still worth learning more about the current state of the city before regarding it as dangerous.
