India City Safety Comparison Tool
Compare Safety Metrics for Indian Cities
Select the cities you want to compare based on crime rates, infrastructure, and traveler safety metrics.
City Comparison Results
| City | Crime Rate (per 100,000) |
Tourist Infrastructure | Women's Safety | Night Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indore #1 Safest | 87.6 | Excellent | Excellent | Yes (until midnight) |
| Coimbatore #2 | 98.2 | Good | Good | Limited |
| Chandigarh #3 | 102.5 | Good | Very Good | Yes (until 11 PM) |
| Bengaluru #4 | 145.8 | Excellent | Fair | Yes (until 1 AM) |
| Hyderabad #5 | 151.3 | Good | Good | Yes (until midnight) |
Safety Tips
Indore consistently ranks as the safest city for tourists in India based on 2024 data. However, no city is completely risk-free. Always use trusted transport services and keep valuables secure, especially in crowded areas.
If you're planning a trip to India and worried about safety, you're not alone. Many travelers ask the same question: safest city in India? The answer isn't simple-India is huge, diverse, and safety varies wildly from place to place. But based on recent police data, traveler reports, and crime statistics from 2024, one city stands out clearly: Indore.
Why Indore Ranks as the Safest City in India
Indore, in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, recorded the lowest crime rate among all Indian cities with over 1 million people in 2024. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), its crime rate was just 87.6 cases per 100,000 people-far below the national average of 294. That’s lower than many small European towns. Violent crimes like assault and robbery are rare. Women traveling alone, families with kids, and solo backpackers all report feeling secure walking around even after dark.
What makes Indore different? It’s not luck. The city invested heavily in street lighting, CCTV coverage, and community policing. Over 90% of main roads now have working streetlights. Police stations are within walking distance in every neighborhood. And local officers actively patrol tourist spots like Rajwada Palace and Lal Bagh Palace without being intrusive.
Unlike big metros like Delhi or Mumbai, Indore doesn’t have overwhelming crowds or chaotic traffic. The pace is calm. People are helpful. You can ask for directions in English or Hindi and get a genuine response. Tourists often say they feel like locals, not outsiders.
How Other Cities Compare
Indore doesn’t come out on top by accident. Other cities are trying hard-but still fall short.
Bengaluru used to be called India’s safest metropolis, but crime has risen 18% since 2022. Petty theft, especially targeting tourists near MG Road and Cubbon Park, is now common. Pickpockets operate in crowded markets and metro stations.
Coimbatore is close behind Indore with a crime rate of 98 per 100,000. It’s quiet and clean, but lacks the same level of tourist infrastructure. Fewer English-speaking guides, limited night transport options, and fewer international hotels make it less convenient for foreign visitors.
Chandigarh has low crime but feels sterile. It’s well-planned, with wide roads and green spaces, but lacks cultural depth. Many tourists say it feels like a government town-not a place they want to explore for more than a day or two.
Jaipur and Udaipur are beautiful, but crowded. Theft in markets, overcharging at temples, and aggressive touts are routine. In 2024, over 2,300 complaints were filed by foreign tourists in Jaipur alone-mostly about scams and harassment.
What Makes a City Safe for Tourists?
Safety isn’t just about crime numbers. It’s about how you feel. A city can have low crime but still feel unsafe if:
- Street lighting is broken after 8 PM
- Public transport stops running too early
- Police are unresponsive or corrupt
- Women feel stared at or followed
- There’s no clear way to report issues in English
Indore checks every box. Night buses run until midnight. Police help desks at railway stations and airports have English-speaking staff. Women’s safety cells are active in every district. Hotels provide free airport pickup. You can walk from your hotel to a late-night food stall without worrying.
Compare that to cities like Varanasi or Agra, where tourists report being cornered by guides demanding commissions, or in Delhi, where women are often harassed on public transport. These aren’t isolated incidents-they’re systemic issues.
Top 5 Safe Cities in India (2025)
Here’s how the top five safest cities stack up based on crime data, traveler reviews, and infrastructure:
| City | Crime Rate (per 100,000) | Tourist-Friendly Infrastructure | Women’s Safety Rating | Night Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indore | 87.6 | Excellent | Excellent | Yes (until midnight) |
| Coimbatore | 98.2 | Good | Good | Limited |
| Chandigarh | 102.5 | Good | Very Good | Yes (until 11 PM) |
| Bengaluru | 145.8 | Excellent | Fair | Yes (until 1 AM) |
| Hyderabad | 151.3 | Good | Good | Yes (until midnight) |
Indore leads in every category. Coimbatore is a solid second for budget travelers. Chandigarh is ideal if you want order and cleanliness. Bengaluru and Hyderabad are great for tech-savvy travelers but come with higher risks of petty crime.
What Tourists Should Avoid
Even in the safest cities, some areas are risky. Avoid:
- Alleyways behind markets at night
- Unmarked auto-rickshaws without meters
- Walking alone near railway stations after dark
- Accepting drinks from strangers
- Carrying large amounts of cash or flashy jewelry
In Indore, these rules are easy to follow. Auto-rickshaws use digital meters. Most hotels offer pre-booked rides. Street vendors are friendly, not pushy. You won’t be cornered by men offering “special tours” or “free tea.”
That’s not the case in cities like Pushkar or Jaisalmer, where tourist traps are common. In Pushkar, you’ll be chased by camel drivers. In Jaisalmer, guides will insist you pay for temple entry-even when it’s free.
Real Traveler Stories
A 68-year-old woman from Canada traveled alone to Indore last year. She stayed in a guesthouse near the Central Market and walked to restaurants every evening. “I never felt unsafe,” she told a travel blog. “People smiled. The police waved at me. I felt like I belonged.”
A couple from Australia spent three weeks in India. They visited Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai before ending in Indore. “Everything changed when we got to Indore,” the husband said. “No one tried to sell us anything. No one asked for money. We could just be tourists.”
These aren’t rare cases. They’re becoming the norm in Indore.
Final Advice: How to Stay Safe Anywhere in India
Even in the safest city, common sense matters:
- Use trusted apps like Ola or Uber for transport
- Keep copies of your passport and visa in your hotel safe
- Don’t wear expensive watches or necklaces
- Learn a few basic Hindi phrases-“Dhanyavaad” (thank you) and “Mujhe madad chahiye” (I need help) go a long way
- Register with your embassy before you travel
Indore won’t protect you from your own mistakes. But it gives you the space to enjoy your trip without fear.
Is Indore safe for solo female travelers?
Yes. Indore is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in India for women traveling alone. Street lighting is excellent, police are visible and helpful, and harassment is rare. Many female travelers report feeling more secure here than in smaller towns or even in some Western cities.
How does Indore compare to Delhi for tourists?
Delhi has higher crime rates, especially for petty theft and harassment. Tourists often report being pressured by touts, pickpocketing in markets, and unsafe public transport. Indore has none of that. It’s smaller, calmer, and more tourist-friendly. If you want history, visit Delhi for a day. But stay in Indore.
Are there any areas in Indore tourists should avoid?
Indore has no dangerous neighborhoods for tourists. Even the old city areas are safe during daylight and early evening. The only areas to be cautious in are unlit alleys behind the Sarafa Bazaar after midnight-but even then, incidents are extremely rare. Stick to main roads, and you’ll be fine.
Is Indore good for families with children?
Absolutely. Indore has clean parks, kid-friendly restaurants, and low traffic congestion. The city is walkable, and locals are used to seeing families. Many hotels offer free breakfast for kids. You won’t find the aggressive vendors or crowded chaos you see in places like Agra or Varanasi.
What’s the best time of year to visit Indore?
October to March is ideal. Temperatures are mild (18-28°C), skies are clear, and festivals like Diwali and Holika Dahan are celebrated beautifully. Summers (April-June) are hot-over 40°C-and monsoons (July-September) bring heavy rain, making outdoor exploration harder.
Next Steps: Where to Go After Indore
Once you’ve experienced Indore’s peace, consider day trips to nearby cultural gems:
- Orchha (140 km away): A quiet medieval town with palaces and temples along the Betwa River.
- Khajuraho (170 km away): Famous for its UNESCO-listed erotic sculptures and stunning temple architecture.
- Ujjain (60 km away): A sacred city on the Shipra River, known for spiritual retreats and ancient astronomy.
All are safe, easy to reach by train or private car, and far less crowded than Jaipur or Varanasi. Indore is your base. These are your extensions.