Is Philadelphia Safe? 9 of the Safest Neighborhoods in Philadelphia in 2026

Philadelphia, PA, is one of the most vibrant cities on the East Coast. Not only is it a large, multicultural, bustling metropolis, but moving to Philadelphia also means plenty of opportunities if you’re looking to start or expand your career, grow your family, and have an array of fun activities at your fingertips. Like all big cities, though, there are always people moving in and out of Philly, and it definitely has its fair share of crime. Is Philadelphia a safe city overall? Absolutely — you just need to know the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

Of course, crime statistics can’t be ignored. Is Philadelphia a safe place to raise a family? The City of Brotherly Love has higher rates of violent and property crimes compared with the rest of Pennsylvania, but it also has lower crime rates than nearby Baltimore, MD, and similar rates to Washington, D.C. In addition, crime tends to be concentrated in certain areas, which is why it’s so crucial to find out about the safest Philadelphia neighborhoods before you decide to purchase a home or rent.

If you’re considering a move to one of the safer Philadelphia neighborhoods, you’re in luck because we have nine options that are definitely worth checking out.

Safest Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

So, is Philadelphia safe? That depends on where you are. The truth is the city has a high crime rate overall: NeighborhoodScout rates it a 1, which means only 1 percent of American cities are safer. But as with most major metro areas, the key is to stay aware of your surroundings — and keep a finger on the pulse of some of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia. And “safe” has different interpretations.

We define the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia as areas with relatively low crime rates based on data from NeighborhoodScout, Niche, and other trusted sources including, in some cases, law enforcement. These neighborhoods also may have less secure areas within them, such as a commercial district that has a low crime rate but a high incidence of car break-ins at night. So when you’re considering your move, think about what makes you feel safe and your personal comfort level — and gauge that along with the amenities in the nine neighborhoods we’ve selected. We’re confident you’ll find at least one of the safest areas in Philadelphia on our list will be right for you. Let’s explore them in more detail. 

Thanks to the large student population, University City is filled with plenty of cute coffee shops and restaurants.
(Source: University City District via Facebook)

1. University City

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $3,250
• Average home value: $482,300
• Great for: Diversity, outdoor activities, nightlife, commute

University City is a great place for students, families, and young professionals. Within easy reach of the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, several medical schools, and hospitals, this area is one of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia and is always bustling. You can expect to see people out and about enjoying Clark Park, farmers’ markets, and pop-up flea markets. And with a large student population, the area is littered with plenty of cute coffee shops and restaurants that you could easily visit daily. University City is known for its walkability, even after dark.

2. Pennypack Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,300
• Average home value: $314,800
• Great for: Outdoor activities, nightlife, diversity

If you crave beautiful green space but also want access to the urban amenities of Philadelphia, the Pennypack Park area is a good bet. It’s also No. 2 among the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia, according to NeighborhoodScout data. Overall, this is a wonderful Philly neighborhood full of local businesses, cafes, and shopping.

The Pennypack Park neighborhood borders — you guessed it — Pennypack Park, a historic green space created in 1905 to protect precious areas in and around the city. And there are all kinds of outdoor activities to enjoy here. Whether you want to explore the wandering trails or go jogging, biking, or even horseback riding, you can do so in this lush park. With plenty of open spaces and native trees and plants, this is also a great place to do some bird and wildlife watching. 

Mount Airy is popular with young professionals and families, partly thanks to the well-regarded schools in the area.
(Source: Holly Reynolds via Facebook)

3. Mount Airy

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,375
• Average home value: $473,700
• Great for: Families, nightlife, outdoor activities, diversity

Whether you’re thinking about growing your family or are just looking for the first place to call your own, West Mount Airy could be just what you need when it comes to safe areas in Philadelphia. This charming neighborhood was settled by Quakers and still sports the cobblestone streets and Victorian architecture of its earlier era. Today, the neighborhood is popular with young professionals and families, partly thanks to well-regarded schools in the area, including the No. 1 public high school in the state, the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School — a long name for a top-notch magnet school.

Some Mount Airy favorites? Taking walks along 50 miles of trails in Wissahickon Valley Park, strolling through shops on a sunny day, and practicing your swing at the Walnut Lane Golf Club. The neighborhood is also big on crafting, with about a dozen shops and boutiques dedicated to makers and other artisans.

4. Somerton East

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,500
• Average home value: $383,300
• Great for: Diversity, outdoor activities, commute

Somerton East is considered one of the safest areas in Philly, and it also may be one of the most affordable. Its location also ensures it’s an easy ride to work for commuters headed to Downtown Philadelphia, and to New York City and Baltimore if you are a long-hauler. Additionally, there are lots of shops within easy walking distance, and residents find that it's a clean and quiet part of the city.

This neighborhood is also close to Pennypack Park, so if you’re interested in having 1,600 acres of beautiful greenspace for walking, hiking, biking, or playing with the kids, this could be the place to do it.

Chestnut Hill is a safe and walkable area where residents take pride in their homes and children are often found playing outside.
(Source: Amy Shea Realtor via Facebook)

5. Chestnut Hill

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,975
• Average home value: $842,300
• Great for: Families, nightlife, diversity, outdoor activities

If you’re looking for a safe neighborhood in Philadelphia that offers a sense of history with an upscale suburban vibe, you can’t go wrong with Chestnut Hill. This is a well-regarded neighborhood known as Philly’s Garden District, where people take pride in their homes and you’ll often find children playing outside. Residents feel safe in this walkable area, with fantastic local restaurants and boutiques along the vibrant, tree-lined Germantown Avenue.

What would a Garden District be without parks? Chestnut Hill has greenspaces in abundance, including the Water Tower Recreation Center, Morris Arboretum, and Winston Park. 

6. Fox Chase

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,425
• Average home value: $327,000
• Great for: Diversity, nightlife, outdoor activities

Fox Chase offers residents a safe, suburban feel that’s still close to the city. With plenty of fun bars and restaurants, as well as some eclectic shops, you’ll be glad that you’re able to call this neighborhood home. Fox Chase is also close to Pennypack Park, a great outdoor experience for all ages. Parents love to take their kids for a day outdoors, and other residents love the miles of trails available for hiking and biking.

There are lots of walkable places to grab brunch or lunch on the weekends, and you’ll find that living here doesn’t mean a bad downtown commute — about a half-hour by train and 20 minutes if you drive. The crime rate in this area is well below the national and city averages, making it one of the safest Philadelphia neighborhoods, and citizens of the community take pride in their homes and welcome newcomers to their neighborhood.

Fitler Square residents feel safe walking around and love to take advantage of the neighborhood’s easy access to parks — especially the Schuylkill River Trail for walks and jogs.
(Source: Nicole Carter-Your Neighbor Your Realtor via Facebook)

7. Fitler Square

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,575
• Average home value: $783,300
• Great for: Families, young professionals, outdoor activities, nightlife, commute

If you’re looking for one of the safe neighborhoods in Philadelphia to call home that’s close to all the fun but on the quieter side, you should look into Fitler Square. This area, along with Devil’s Pocket and Grays Ferry, make up the larger community collectively referred to as Schuylkill. The charming commercial district has terrific options for dining — in fact, Fitler Square is home to some of the trendiest restaurants in all of Philly.

Residents feel safe walking around and love to take advantage of the easy access to parks — especially the Schuylkill River Trail for walks and jogs. But with tree-lined streets and beautiful homes, you may just choose to take your strolls right there in the neighborhood.

8. Bella Vista

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,500
• Average home value: $507,900
• Great for: Families, commute, outdoor activities, nightlife

If you want a good dose of old Philly charm in the neighborhood, you can’t go wrong with Bella Vista. Named after the strong Italian influence it experienced over the years from the many immigrants that called it home, this area is also home to the largest outdoor curb market, known as the Italian Market. But rest assured, you’re going to see food vendors from all kinds of countries, including Mexico, Cambodia, Vietnam, and more. This is one of the most popular areas for lots of Philadelphians to come explore, and it’s going to be right in your neighborhood!

This neighborhood is very walkable and includes many green spaces where residents love to run, let the kids play, and walk the dog. And for fans of bocce, beautiful Bardascino Park has a very active bocce court for everyone to enjoy. If you’re looking for a safe Philly neighborhood that offers a nice suburban feel but still keeps you close to all the fun, check out Bella Vista.

This residential area gives you easy access to cultural amenities and is just a short commute to Center City.
(Source: Steve Brady via Facebook)

9. Fairmount

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,300
• Average home value: $433,900
• Great for: Young professionals, families, outdoor activities, nightlife, commute

Fairmount is one of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia, offering easy access to world-class museums and a quick commute to Center City. You’ll have no problem finding green space to enjoy the outdoors, as Fairmount Park and the Schuylkill River are very close. There are also lots of coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs all within easy walking distance, but if you need to drive, parking seems to be a lot less congested in this area than in other, more cramped areas of Philly.

Residents take pride in their safe community and look after one another in Fairmount. And the best part? Fairmount is über dog-friendly!

Safest Places To Live in Philadelphia — FAQs

How dangerous is Philadelphia? Is Philly safe? Perhaps more importantly, is Philly safe for kids? What are the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia? Here are the short answers to some of your most pressing questions about life in The Birthplace of America.

Q: Are there any safe neighborhoods in Philadelphia, PA?
A: Plenty. Pennypack Park and Somerton East are two of the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia, with crime rates well below the Philadelphia average. Other top picks? University City, Upper Roxborough, Academy Gardens, Fox Chase East, Fitler Square, Bella Vista, and Fairmount.

Q: What is the best area of Philadelphia to live in?
A: That depends on your personal preferences and whether you’re looking to buy or rent, but many people consider Manayunk, Fishtown, and Rittenhouse Square to be some of the best areas in Philadelphia to live. Bella Vista and Fairmount also get A+ ratings from Niche! Is Philadelphia a good place to live? In these neighborhoods, that’s a yes.

Q: Is it safe to live in Downtown Philadelphia?
A: Downtown Philadelphia is a safe place to live; however, like all big-city downtown areas, you should always be aware of your surroundings and make efforts to protect yourself and property, just in case.

Q: What is the safest area of Philadelphia?
A: There are many safe areas in Philadelphia, but according to NeighborhoodScout, you’ll find the lowest crime rate in the city in Pennypack Park. If you’re looking for the safest zip code in Philly, 19003 is the best place to look.

Q: Is Philly safer than L.A.?
A: Los Angeles has a lower overall crime rate than Philadelphia, per NeighborhoodScout. The L.A. crime index is 6 (meaning it’s considered safer than 6 percent of other U.S. cities), while the Philly crime index is 1. Of course, crime is less common in the safest neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

Q: Is Philadelphia safer than NYC?
A: When you’re considering a move to a new city and thinking about security, it makes sense to look at stats in a city you already know well, like New York. So, is Philadelphia a safe place, comparatively speaking? According to NeighborhoodScout’s crime data, NYC has a slightly lower crime rate than Philadelphia. While NYC is considered safer than 6 percent of U.S. cities, Philly is considered safer than just 1 percent.

Q: Where is the lowest crime rate in PA?
A: The town with the lowest crime rate in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is Cecil Township, which is a hefty five-hour drive from Philly. The ranking is based on data from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies analyzed by Safewise.com. If you’re looking for someplace closer to the City of Brotherly Love, the suburb of Collegeville, just under an hour’s commute, gets top rating for safety from NeighborhoodScout.

Have a PODS portable moving container delivered right to your driveway for convenient loading and unloading.

Let PODS Help You Move to One of the Safest Neighborhoods in Philadelphia

Hopefully, you now have a well-rounded answer to the question, “Is Philadelphia safe?” But no matter which of the safest areas in Philadelphia call your name, the next step is planning your move. Whether you’re moving to Philadelphia from NYC or from just across the state, PODS has moving and storage solutions to meet your needs.

Make your move flexible with PODS portable moving containers. They’re conveniently delivered right to your driveway — and one month’s storage is included in the cost of every move. Need extra help with the heavy lifting? PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services to lend a hand. Start by getting a free local moving quote online or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

Check out more tips and tricks from the PODS Blog to help get you started.

Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}