Idaho : Safety by City
United States - safety as a country Idaho is a rural state full of natural wonders.
There are lots of wide-open spaces and wildness to explore.
The crime rate is low, in part because of a low population.
The more dangerous things in Idaho are natural.
Things like landslides and wildfires are a real danger, as well as wild animals.
You are more likely to be threatened by a bison than by a mugger, and the bison is faster.
If you love the outdoors, you will love Idaho with all its spectacular scenery.
Gorgeous mountains and rivers along with thousands of miles of hiking trails await the adventurous.
The outdoors has its own kinds of dangers.
There are cities like Boise that are nice and not all that dangerous.
There are 30,000 miles of hiking trails and 3,000 miles of whitewater that can be rafted, and that is just the beginning.
Warnings & Dangers in Idaho
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
If you are an experienced outdoorsman, you will not likely have any problems. People who are not used to the outdoors could get in trouble here. There are wildfires every summer, as well as landslides and earthquakes to look out for. The risk is getting more in the way of mother nature than from another human being.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Getting from the airport to a hotel, or from a bus stop, should be easy in the cities that have them. Like most rural states, there is not an extensive public transportation system. When they are there, they are excellent. If you are going out of town, you would be better off renting a car.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Petty criminals steal things that are not locked up, or that are carelessly left out in the open. Pickpocketing is not a popular crime here. If you leave your car unlocked, someone may happen by and help themselves to your property though.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
As noted, nature is a bigger risk than crime in Idaho. Pay attention to weather reports and warnings that are broadcast. Wildfires can travel faster than you can, so stay out of their way. On remote roads, look out for landslides and bison in the roadway. If you do not have much experience in nature, it would be a good idea to learn more before you go.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Muggings are virtually unheard of in most of Idaho. It is not how criminals operate here. There are some cities with high crime areas where mugging could be a possibility. Ask around and follow local people's advice. It's easy to stay out of those areas and you have very little risk of being mugged.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Like muggings, this is almost unheard of in Idaho. There are lots of outdoorsmen, and guns are popular, but there have been very few cases of terrorism or mass shootings in the state.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
In some tourist areas, there may be fake tours offered, or someone may want to sell you a vacation of some kind. Be smart and only deal with licensed reputable dealers. Some auto shops will try to overcharge you or try to sell you unneeded repairs. Ask locals for advice if you need car repairs done.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women often travel alone in Idaho. It can be dangerous for a woman to hike in remote areas alone, as there may be people waiting for a victim, but the greater danger would be wild animals. In cities, there is not much danger if you stay in well-lit areas and avoid being out at night alone.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water is fine in Idaho, even in small towns. There are good water systems. At times there can be water shortages or rationing, but generally, there will be tap water available.
Safest Places to Visit in Idaho
While there are dangers in the great outdoors, the great outdoors remains a very safe place to visit as long as you use some common sense and are careful.
There are 31 scenic highways in the state, the longest of which is just over 200 miles.
These go along tree-lined rivers, through mountains, and offer scenery that is beyond description.
The Idaho Dept. of Tourism offers many itineraries and more information than you could possibly digest.
A travel study released by MSN recently named Boise one of the safest cities in the world, with a score of 81 out of 100.
It was ranked eighth overall, and one of only two in the United States.
Salt Lake City was the other one.
The study was based on tourist and resident attitudes towards how safe they felt.
Boise is the largest city and has a lot of trails and bike paths.
The small town of Kimberly, near a ski resort, has the lowest crime rate n the state.
Places to Avoid in Idaho
Garden City is a town of 12,000 and is surrounded by the state capital of Boise.
It has the highest crime rate in the state both for violent crime and for property crimes.
It is above the national average in both categories, and there is a one in 38 chance of being a crime victim there.
Pocatello, also near Boise, is a city of 55,000 and has a crime rate that is similar to Garden City.
Twin Falls is a city of 50,000 and has relatively high crime, and ranks third in the state.
Twin Falls also ranks among the poorest cities in the state.
Surprisingly enough, the largest city, Boise, is not on the list of high crime rates in the state.
Towns like Twin Falls are next door though, and that should be avoided.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Idaho
- Stay hydrated. The summer sun is very hot in Idaho. The air is dry, so you may not realize how hot it really is. Drink plenty of water whether you feel the need or not. Having heatstroke is a danger if you are not used to the summer sun here.
- Check out your car. Make sure your car is in good running condition, especially if you are hitting one of the scenic byways. They are rather remote, and sometimes there is no phone signal. If you have trouble you may be in for a very long walk.
- Don’t be an obvious tourist. Try to blend into your surroundings and don’t look the part of the arrogant tourist. Keep your electronics and valuables safe. Crime is low, but criminals look for opportunities to steal things.
- Confirm lodging and or camping reservations before going. Make sure they are still open. Covid restrictions may cause closures at times.
- Watch local news. Keep on the lookout for wildfires in summer. Heed any warnings you are given about wildfires. Don’t go into areas where you are advised to avoid by state officials.
- Respect wildlife. If you are out in nature, and you are likely to be in Idaho, respect wildlife and don’t try to get too close. If a Bison feels threatened, he will attack, and the bison can run faster than you can. Watch out for rattlesnakes and other creates that can hurt you.
- Always lock your car and hotel room. Don’t give criminals an easy target or an opportunity. Most will not break a lock, or try to break into a room or car. One that is left open is an invitation to commit a crime.
- Tell someone your plans. This is especially true if you are heading into the backcountry. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. If you get lost in the remote countryside, it can be very hard to find you. If someone knows your general whereabouts, that will help them find you.
- Carry extra supplies. Especially if you are hitting the backcountry, take extra food, water, and clothing. If you do get stranded, there may not be any food or water anywhere around, so always carry extras. In winter, carry extra blankets and supplies.
- Don’t go it alone. It is not a good idea to hike a long trail by yourself, especially if you are not familiar with the area. It is similar to not being out in a major city alone at night. The dangers are different, but they are still dangerous.
So... How Safe Is Idaho Really?
Idaho is very safe.
A study published by MSM called Bosie one of the safest cities in the entire world, and only two cities in the United States made that list.
Even though Boise is the largest city, it does not have the highest crime rate.
Many smaller towns have a higher crime rate.
Places like Garden City and Pocatello have high poverty rates, and they also have high crime rates.
They are the only cities in the state that are above the national average as far as crime goes.
If you stay away from the few areas where there is a lot of crime, you should not have any issues as far as being a crime victim.
Perhaps it is the rural nature of the state, but the crime rate is low.
Of course, you should still take necessary and sensible precautions.
Don’t go out at night alone in cities and lock your car.
If you do those sensible things, you shouldn’t have any trouble in this state.
Nature itself is perhaps a bigger danger.
If you are in a remote area, you should not be alone, and be sure someone knows where you are.
There are rattlesnakes that are very dangerous.
Bison and bears are also dangerous, and should never be trifled with.
They are faster than you and will attack if they feel provoked or threatened.
Having your car break down in a remote area is also a danger because there are areas with no phone service.
Sometimes you may be a hundred miles from the next service of any kind.
Even so, with some common sense, you should be able to avoid natural dangers as well in Idaho.
The bottom line is, Idaho is a very safe state for travelers and for residents.
More people are moving to the state for that reason.
How Does Idaho Compare?
| State | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Idaho | 85 |
| Kansas | 81 |
| Iowa | 82 |
| Illinois | 77 |
| Indiana | 61 |
| Alaska | 65 |
| Colorado | 82 |
| Florida | 70 |
| Maryland | 65 |
Useful Information
Visas
If you are an international traveler, you will need a Visa to enter the United States. Once you get past customs and are allowed into the country, you will not need your passport. Keep it out of sight and in a safe place.
Currency
The standard of currency is the dollar, which is what is expected throughout the state. Most businesses will only accept dollars as a cash payment. They will accept credit cards from anywhere, and that exchange is made as part of the transaction. You may do currency exchange at any bank in Idaho.
Weather
The weather in Idaho can be very hot in summer, and very cold in winter. Keep hydrated in summer, and bring plenty of warm clothing if you are there in the winter months.
Airports
Boise has an international airport, with flights from several countries. It has a customs area where people arriving must pass through. Some smaller cities have regional airports, and there are some flights available within the state.
Travel Insurance
Having travel insurance gives you some peace of mind, especially if you are in a country you are not familiar with. The natural world of Idaho is an amazing place to explore, but there are natural dangers there as well. Some insurance will set you at rest and will take care of you if something bad happens.
Idaho Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 4 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 23 | 29 | 34 | 33 | 27 | 20 | 10 | 4 |
| Low °C | -6 | -3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 4 | -1 | -5 |
| High °F | 39 | 46 | 57 | 64 | 73 | 84 | 93 | 91 | 81 | 68 | 50 | 39 |
| Low °F | 21 | 27 | 32 | 37 | 45 | 52 | 59 | 57 | 48 | 39 | 30 | 23 |
Idaho - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Boise | 85 |
| Caldwell | 78 |
| Coeur d’Alene | 84 |
| Idaho Falls | 87 |
| McCall | 92 |
| Meridian | 84 |
| Nampa | 78 |
| Pocatello | 78 |
| Twin Falls | 87 |
Boise is a great place to visit
If more people practiced “common sense” when traveling (and driving) they would make things so much easier for all concerned. Unfortunately, too many times people do not use “common sense”… for example, going out for a hike, alone, with little or no water when temperatures are forecasted to be 90° (or higher)…not wise.
I was pleased to read in your report that Boise is a safe place.
Having lived here for 8 years, I wholeheartedly agree and would highly recommend it as a place to visit. The review gave some odd warnings, like looking out for earthquakes.
Having lived in both California and Alaska for most of my life I am aware that earthquakes happen.
The study also suggests avoiding “Garden City”. Although I do not live in or particularly close to Garden City, in the 8 years that I have lived in Boise I have never had any concern for my safety in Garden City.
There are city-maintained bike and walking paths that go along the Boise River and through Garden City that is very nice and picturesque that should not be avoided…..okay, except using one’s common sense, one might not walk alone along this path at 2:00 am.
It was very comforting to learn that I have more of a chance of being threatened by a buffalo than I do getting mugged in Boise (although in my 8 years, I’ve never seen a buffalo or a mugger in Boise).
Just FYI Pocatello is on the other side of the state from Boise, Twin Falls sits midway between the two. Southern Idaho is a high desert and central Idaho has forests. The only wild Buffalo are in Yellowstone. Awful place to visit, stay home.
We live outside Boise, near the beet factory. We are constantly concerned about the possibility of a “nuclear type” mushroom cloud as the vapor is known to be explosive! Bison are known to charge kids next to Snake River Elementary and we loose alot of pets due to the over population of mountain lions.
For your own safety please stay out of this state!
Love it in Idaho
The best rural state there is, with so much land and beauty to explore, I absolutely love living in Idaho!