Without a doubt! Pittsburgh has been recognized as one of the safest cities in Pennsylvania and the United States several times. In 2019, Pittsburgh was named the safest American city to live in with a median home price of less than $250,000 by Realtor.com.
According to more recent data released by Pittsburgh’s tourism bureau, VisitPITTSBURGH, Steel City is in the top 10 safest U.S. cities for property crime and the top 15 safest cities for violent crime. Criminal acts that fall under the category of property crime include burglaries, auto theft, arson, and larceny theft, whereas violent crimes include offenses like murder, assault, robbery, and rape. The VisitPITTSBURGH data placed Pittsburgh as the safest city for property crime and the third safest city for violent crime when compared to locations like Baltimore, Columbus, and Indianapolis that Pittsburgh competes with for booking sporting events, travel, leisure and conventions.
Additionally, a survey conducted by Niche, a well-known ranking and review website, found that 80%+ of Pittsburghers felt pretty secure in the city.
Feedback from visitors to Pittsburgh (gathered by TrustYou, a company that compiles guest reviews from a variety of reputable sources, including TripAdvisor and Yelp) revealed that just 0.8% of respondents were worried about their safety while touring the Steel City.
Which Pittsburgh Neighborhoods Are the Safest and Most Dangerous?
As can be seen from the information above, Pittsburgh is seen as a generally safe place for locals as well as tourists. Much like any major city, it does, however, have its less safe and safer neighborhoods,
Some of Pittsburgh’s safest neighborhoods, which are often commended for their low crime rates, include:
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Squirrel Hill North
Deemed 90% safer than other Pittsburgh neighborhoods, Squirrel Hill North is located 15 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh.
Statistics indicate that there are 20 assaults per 100,000 residents annually in the area, which is much less than the 282.7 average for the country, and 14 robberies per 100,000 persons, compared to the national average of 136 robberies. The low crime rate in Squirrel Hill North, which is home to lots of green space, a diversified population, and a flourishing small business community, has helped to make it one of Pittsburgh’s best neighborhoods to live in.
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Regent Square
With a population of about 4,000 residents, Regent Square‘s violent and property crime rates are 50% lower than the national average.
It’s a great neighborhood for families and outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its low levels of criminal activity, accessibility to Pittsburgh’s largest park, Frick Park, and multiple highly regarded public schools, including Pittsburgh Capa 6–12.
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Shadyside
Shadyside is a walkable neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End where many locals enjoy taking their dogs for evening walks or going for morning jogs because they know they’re safe. It’s popular among young professionals and retirees who appreciate its quiet, secure, and residential feel.
Other safest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh include Lawrenceville, Stanton Heights, Swisshelm Park, South Breeze, North Oakland, Fox Chapel and East Carnegie.
Pittsburgh Areas With the Highest Crime Rates
Property crimes, such as theft, vehicle break-ins, and burglaries, account for over 80% of all crimes perpetrated in Pittsburgh each year. Parts of the North Side and East End regions – including Allentown, Northview Heights, Middle Hill, Terrace Village, East Allegheny, and Strip District – are where most of these crimes happen.
For instance, there are 13,530 theft cases per 100,000 residents in the Strip District annually, which is six times more than the 2043 national average. The neighborhood’s auto theft and burglary rates, which are 2,275 and 2008 per 100,000 residents, respectively, are also significantly higher than the national averages of 500 and 284.
In Northview Heights, the vast majority of the residents in the public housing development live below the poverty line, which has led to an elevated level of crime in the neighborhood, including gang violence, drug trafficking, and alarmingly high levels of property theft.
In comparison to Pittsburgh’s safest location, Northview Heights has 177 robberies per 100,000 residents, whereas Squirrel Hill North only has 14 robberies per 100,000 residents.
We should note that local authorities have implemented some measures to lower the crime rates in Pittsburgh’s most dangerous neighborhood — including stepped-up surveillance, neighborhood watch programs, youth engagement initiatives designed to steer young people away from crime, and community policing efforts that promote cooperation between law enforcement and residents to address safety concerns.
Safety Tips for Living and Visiting Pittsburgh
No matter where you live or travel in Pittsburgh, taking a few simple precautions can drastically lower your risk of becoming a crime victim. Here are some useful safety tips:
- Stay Informed: To remain up to date on any safety issues or alerts in your region, follow neighborhood social media groups and local news channels.
- Avoid Dangerous Areas at Night: Although Pittsburgh is a generally secure city, it’s advisable to stay away from specific neighborhoods at night, particularly if you’ve never been there before. Also, stay on busy, well-lit streets and don’t use shortcuts that lead into alleys or isolated areas.
- Use Public Transport Wisely: Pittsburgh boasts a dependable transportation system for getting around town, but like with any city, it’s important to be alert of your surroundings while traveling, especially after dark. If you feel uneasy, consider using a taxi or ride-sharing service to get to your location.
- Safeguard Your House: If you live here, use security systems and always lock your windows and doors to make sure your house is safe.
- Be Street Smart: Don’t flaunt valuable items or cash in public, keep your belongings close to hand, and pay attention to your surroundings. Whenever something feels off, it probably is. Trust your gut.
- Get to Know Your Neighbors: Developing a positive relationship with your neighbors can increase your sense of safety and belonging. Additionally, it establishes a network of neighbors looking out for each one.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Don’t be afraid to alert the local authorities if you witness something strange. Pittsburgh police encourage locals to take preventative measures for their safety.
Want to Learn More About Safety in Pittsburgh? Contact Pittsburgh’s #1 Cash Home Buyer Today!
Whether you’re new to Pittsburgh or looking to move to a safer neighborhood within the city, HomeBuyers of Pittsburgh is here to help.
We’ve purchased and sold 750+ homes across the city’s diverse neighborhoods and have a deep understanding of the security conditions in each area. We’re happy to share our insights to make it easier for you to find a neighborhood where you feel safe and secure to live in.
And if you’re thinking about selling your house to move to a more secure community or for any other reason, we can help with that too!
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Reach out to us today by calling 412-444-8914 or sending an email to info [at] urbanpgh.com to arrange your free 20-30 minute home consultation. Let’s discuss how HomeBuyers can help you evaluate selling your home for cash, as well as finding the perfect, safe neighborhood to move to in Pittsburgh!
