Fort Lauderdale, FL Crime Rate & Safety

Fort Lauderdale, FL has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 29% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 227 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. Fort Lauderdale has higher crime than 82% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Fort Lauderdale has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 88% of the city's 161 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Cooper City is one of the safest areas, while Westwood Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Fort Lauderdale is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale are Cooper City, Cooper's Place, Westport, Sawgrass Estates North, and Friendly Acres. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Fort Lauderdale include Westwood Park, Lake Aire Palm View, Durrs, Roosevelt Gardens, and Dorsey-Riverbend. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Fort Lauderdale is 441.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 16% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 227 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.4 per 100K (27% above average); aggravated assault at 326.1 per 100K (22% above average); robbery at 79.7 per 100K (8% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Fort Lauderdale is 2,453.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 34% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 286.1 per 100K (6% above average); larceny/theft at 1,794.4 per 100K (28% above average); vehicle theft at 373.1 per 100K (17% above average).

Fort Lauderdale's overall crime rate is 29% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (28% above average), while rape is 14% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Fort Lauderdale has higher crime than 82% of them.

Visitors to Fort Lauderdale should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 34% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Cooper City, Cooper's Place, Westport.

Florida as a whole has crime that is 3% above the national average. Fort Lauderdale's crime rate is 29% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Florida city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Fort Lauderdale, with an estimated rate of 1,794.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 28% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,454 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (441 per 100K) in Fort Lauderdale, which is consistent with national trends.