When visiting Philadelphia, you should avoid staying in Kensington, Strawberry Mansion, and parts of North Philadelphia due to high rates of violent crime, open-air drug markets, and property theft.
When visiting or moving to Philadelphia, you should generally stay away from parts of North and Kensington, specifically Kensington, Fairhill, and Nicetown-Tioga, due to high rates of violent crime and open-air drug activity.
Walking around Philadelphia at night is generally safe in busy, well-lit tourist and commercial areas like Center City and Rittenhouse Square, but it can be unsafe in quiet, deserted, or high-crime neighborhoods.
However, there are still plenty of areas within the Philly metro that offer a safe place to live, typically areas further from the city center. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia include Bustleton, Fox Chase, and Manayunk.
The best areas to stay in Philadelphia are Center City (Rittenhouse Square), Old City, and Midtown Village. These walkable downtown neighborhoods put you close to top restaurants, transit lines, and major historical sights.
Philadelphia Neighborhoods Ranked 2025: Where to Live, Rent & Avoid!
Should I stay in Old City or Center City Philadelphia?
If you're focused on food, walkability, and overall vibe, Rittenhouse Square is usually the best choice. If you want to be surrounded by history and major landmarks, Old City is a great option. And if you're trying to stay central while keeping costs lower, Center City can be a solid middle ground.
The best areas in Philadelphia include Rittenhouse Square, Fishtown, and East Passyunk, each offering distinct vibes ranging from upscale city living to trendy nightlife and incredible food.
Although the main tourist areas of Philadelphia like Center City are generally safe, frequent travelers say other parts of the city (like South, North or West Philly) can be very dangerous. Use common sense during your stay: Keep your valuables near you (and preferably hidden from view) at all times.
That's $75,466 more than in Fairhill, the city's poorest neighborhood, where the typical household income was only $15,979. Click on the map for more information.
Chicago and Philadelphia have very similar safety levels, but data analysis shows Chicago is slightly safer overall with lower per capita rates for most crime categories.
Philadelphia is not an absolute majority Black city, but Black or African American residents form the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts single largest racial or ethnic group at roughly 40.5% to 44% of the total population.
Yes, traveling to Philadelphia is generally safe, with no active air quality or severe weather advisories affecting the area. Standard urban precautions apply.
Philadelphia is rich in attractions that tell America's story. For visitors who are curious about American history, there's no better place than “America's most historic square mile.” In the Old City historical district, you can walk the same streets and enter the same buildings as America's Founding Fathers.
Much of the crime is concentrated in the North, West, and Southwest sections of the city. The deadliest year in Philadelphia was 2021 with 562 murders.
The "Philadelphia Badlands" is a section of North and Lower Northeast Philadelphia infamous for open-air drug markets. The area generally spans from Broad Street to Kensington Avenue, and from York Street to Hunting Park Avenue, encompassing neighborhoods like Fairhill, Kensington, and Harrowgate.
Philadelphia appears run down primarily because the city has struggled to capture tax revenue from its massive, tax-exempt university and hospital systems. This structural deficit compounds historical challenges from post-WWII deindustrialization, "white flight", widespread poverty, and highly visible litter and opioid crises.
"The Bottom" in Philadelphia refers to the historic Black Bottom neighborhood, a once-vibrant African American community, and local street terminology for adjacent low-lying sections of West Philadelphia.
Is it safe to walk in touristy areas at night in Philadelphia? Touristy areas in Philadelphia are generally considered safe to walk around at night, especially in Center City and areas with high foot traffic. "Center City is pretty chill with lots of bars, restaurants, and museums."
For tourists visiting Philadelphia, the best areas to stay are Center City, Old City, and Rittenhouse Square. These neighborhoods put you within walking distance of major historic sites, great food, and public transit.
Rittenhouse Square is generally considered one of the safest and most desirable neighborhoods in Philadelphia, featuring high foot traffic, good lighting, and regular police patrols.
The safest areas to stay in Philadelphia for 2026 are generally found in the affluent Northwest or the central, high-traffic neighborhoods like Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill. As of 2026, neighborhoods with the lowest reported crime rates include Somerton, Chestnut Hill, Society Hill, and Bella Vista.
Where do rich people live in Philadelphia? There are wealthy residents in many parts of the city: Chestnut Hill, Society Hill, Rittenhouse Square, Fitler Square, Queen Village, Graduate Hospital and parts of Northern Liberties and Center City. Some affluent households opt for nearby Main Line suburbs.
