Is Pittsburgh Safe? Crime Rates, Neighborhoods and Tips

If you are considering a move to the Steel City, you likely have one big question: Is Pittsburgh safe? The city has changed a lot over the years, shifting from its old steel roots into a place known for tech and healthcare. But like any big city, safety isn’t the same everywhere, and the crime rate can look very different depending on the neighborhood.

This guide will walk you through the newest Pittsburgh PA crime rate trends, so you know what’s going on right now. We’ll point out areas that are known for feeling safer, explain where crime shows up more often, and share simple tips you can use to stay confident and prepared in Pittsburgh.

General Safety Overview in Pittsburgh

Safety in Pittsburgh really depends on the neighborhood. One area can feel quiet and normal, while another feels rougher. Citywide numbers look mixed, but many parts of daily life are calm for locals and visitors.

Looking at the crime rate in Pittsburgh PA, Niche gives Pittsburgh a C- for crime and safety. That lines up with the idea that the city is close to the national average in some ways, but worse in others. The biggest drag is violent crime. Robbery is around 230 cases per 100,000 people, higher than the U.S. level of about 136. Murder is about 18.8 per 100,000, compared with a national level near 6.

Some property crime numbers look a bit better than you might expect. Burglary is about 443 per 100,000, under the national rate of nearly 500. Car theft is around 241 per 100,000, also below the U.S. figure of nearly 284. Regular theft is still higher, at about 2,331.9 per 100,000, versus a national level of around 2,042.8. So the bigger risk is in certain violent crimes, while some everyday property crimes sit closer to national norms.

Recent local reports add useful context. Homicides in 2025 are running lower than 2024, and by mid-year, the city was at its lowest homicide level in about eight years. That supports a simple takeaway: Pittsburgh is not getting more dangerous every year, even though a few crime types still need caution.

2024 Pittsburgh Crime Statistics

Pittsburgh has about 317,177 people. Below is a simple breakdown of the crimes that were reported in 2024:

Data Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024 UCR Data).

Safe Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh

Is Pittsburgh a safe city? Pittsburgh is often described as a collection of 90 distinct neighborhoods rather than one cohesive city. This means safety is hyper-local. You can cross a bridge or go through a tunnel and find yourself in a completely different social and safety environment. Based on local police stats and resident reports, these areas consistently rank as safer zones:

• Squirrel Hill: A vibrant neighborhood known for its strong Jewish community, diverse dining options, and proximity to Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. It offers a mix of urban convenience and residential charm, with Murray Avenue as its main commercial hub. Generally very safe and family-friendly.
• Shadyside: Known for its historic mansions and upscale boutiques on Walnut Street, Shadyside attracts young professionals and doctors working at the nearby hospitals. It is generally very safe and walkable. However, residents should note that due to the high density of street parking and wealth in the area, car break-ins (smash-and-grabs) can be an issue if valuables are left in plain sight.
• Swisshelm Park: If you are looking for a suburban feel within city limits, this is it. Swisshelm Park borders the massive Frick Park and feels removed from the urban hustle. It has negligible crime statistics and is often ranked as a top destination for families seeking quiet stability.

Areas to Exercise Caution or Avoid in Pittsburgh

No guide is honest without highlighting the hotspots. Some areas struggle with higher poverty rates, abandoned properties, or specific types of theft that inflate their crime statistics. Being aware of these zones helps you make smarter decisions about where to rent or walk at night.

• Northview Heights: Statistics show this area has higher violent crime rates compared to the city average and requires extra vigilance.
• Strip District: Is downtown Pittsburgh safe? Generally yes, but the nearby Strip District has a statistical quirk. It has a high property crime rate because few people live there, but thousands visit. This leads to high reports of pickpocketing and car break-ins.

If you live near a high-traffic zone like the Strip, continuous evidence capture is vital. The eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max offers 24/7 continuous recording with expandable local storage (up to 16TB). This allows you to review weeks of footage to spot suspicious vehicles that may be "casing" your street before a crime occurs.

Safety Tips for Living in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh crime rate numbers show that most reported incidents are property crimes. So daily safety is less about fear and more about stopping easy chances for theft. Simple habits and a few helpful tools can help you feel more secure.

• Watch the porch: Package theft is a real hassle in busy areas like Lawrenceville. A video doorbell helps you see who comes up to your door and keeps a record if something disappears. The eufy Video Doorbell E340 works well because it has two cameras, one aimed at people and one aimed at the doorstep, so you can see both faces and packages clearly, day or night.

• Outdoor coverage: Driveways, alleys, and side paths are common spots for quick theft. Keeping these areas visible matters. The eufyCam S4 4-Cam Kit gives a wide 4K view, then tracks and zooms in when someone steps into view. Solar power keeps it running with little effort, and the motion alerts are more accurate, so you get fewer pointless pings.

• Internal peace of mind: Apartments have their own risks, especially when you are away and maintenance or deliveries come inside. The Indoor Cam S350 gives a clear 4K view indoors and can pan and tilt to cover the whole room, so corners are not missed. Night vision helps after dark, and AI tracking can follow people or pets across the space.

• One connected setup: Most property crimes here are quick grab-and-go moments, so security needs to react fast without you doing much. The eufy ExpertSecure Systempulls cameras and sensors into one setup. It uses local storage and on-device AI to spot real threats sooner. Optional monitoring adds extra backup, and you don’t have to juggle separate devices or pay for cloud storage you don’t want.

Conclusion

So, is Pittsburgh safe? For the vast majority of residents, the answer is yes. The city boasts a strong sense of community, and the overall homicide rate dropped 19% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

The primary issue remains property crime. However, this is largely preventable. By choosing the right neighborhood and using smart security tools like security cameras, you can enjoy everything the Steel City has to offer.

FAQs

What is the crime rate like in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh’s crime rate is a bit uneven. Property crime is the bigger issue, and it sits above the national average. Things like theft, break-ins, and car crimes are what people deal with most often.

Violent crime is a smaller share, and it has been trending down. In 2024, Pittsburgh reported 36 homicides, down from 52 in 2023. That drop suggests serious violence is becoming less common, even though theft is still a regular problem.

Are there areas to avoid in Pittsburgh?

Yes. Some areas have more violent crime, so extra caution helps. Northview Heights, Crawford-Roberts, and parts of Homewood are the main trouble spots in the stats. Not every street is bad, but the risk is higher than most places.

The South Side Flats is another place to watch, mainly on late weekend nights. The bar scene can lead to fights and assaults, and police are usually out there more during those hours.

Is there a lot of crime in the city of Pittsburgh (PA)?

Compared to the national average, the volume of crime is high, but this is skewed by minor offenses. For example, there were over 5,400 larceny incidents in 2024, which inflates the total crime rate. However, serious violent crime is relatively contained. If you lock your car and secure your packages, your risk of victimization drops drastically.