Is Milford Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Milford, Connecticut is affectionately known as the “Small Town with a Big Heart” and lies on the central coast of Connecticut, an hour between New York City and Hartford.

Milford has the most coastline of any Connecticut city and there are five public beaches for tourists to explore, including an island just offshore.

Whether you want toes in the sand, a fishing rod on the pier, or a boardwalk adventure, it’s all here for you in this classic coastal town.

Don’t get too wrapped up in the beach to miss the city.

There’s a historic district with sophisticated homes from bygone eras that tell the stories of the city’s founding fathers.

You’ve got more than 100 restaurants winding through a five-mile stretch of the city.

Shoppers can hit the modern-era mall or the knick-knack stores of the idyllic downtown.

There’s a thriving arts scene here too, with painted, sculpted, and performance options to enjoy.

The small town might be much different than it was in the founding days, but it seems to have gotten everything just about right for locals and tourists throughout all eras.

Warnings & Dangers in Milford

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low overall risk here. This charming community has been able to keep crime levels down, aside from one category that sticks out. There's a lot to do with little effort and you can feel safe at night enjoying the bars.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The Milford Transit District provides bus routes around town and the train station here is on the Metro-North rail line to New York City and Hartford. Taxis and rideshares might not be as voluminous as in bigger cities, but both are options. All of these come with low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

There's a low risk and no pickpockets were reported in 2020. That chance might go up during the annual Oyster Festival when a lot of people come to town.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

You're going to face the risk of hurricanes or tropical storms being on the coast. Those will come with plenty of warning ahead of time to evacuate or hunker down. The city gets nearly 30 inches of snow a year and it can be bitterly cold with a sea breeze in the winter. Connecticut is well prepared for winter weather, even to the extreme. There's a low risk of any event catching you off guard or putting your safety at risk.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Just two public robberies were reported in 2020, so there's a low risk. There were only 33 violent crimes in that year too. This just isn't a city with an overwhelming amount of crime.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Milford itself wouldn't be a target, but the bigger cities of New York and New Haven might be due to the large population and big attractions. Because of that, much of the northeastern area is at medium risk.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

There's a low chance of a tourist getting scammed here. The common scams involve phone calls and emails, the same as are probably happening in your home city.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women should feel safe here, but not careless. One rape was reported in 2020. You still don't want to walk around a strange city after dark alone, but traveling with a partner or a group should be a low risk for all involved.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The tap water in this whole region meets or exceeds requirements at state and federal levels. There's a low risk. If there is any kind of contamination, the city is quick to alert citizens and visitors.

Safest Places to Visit in Milford

There are five public beaches to enjoy here, some larger than others.

Silver Sands State Park is the biggest and most popular.

This is great for people who want to fish or birdwatchers.

The State Parks Department website even has a “Beginner Bird Nerd” guide to get started at spotting unique birds in this area.

Downtown Milford has a variety of restaurants with all kinds of cuisine, from fancy to flip-flops, it would take a month to eat your way through this foodie community.

This is where you can also find some unique boutiques for shopping.

To get more name-brand shops and restaurants, head down Boston Post Road near the Connecticut Post Mall.

There’s a nature sanctuary at the Audobon Coastal Center at Milford Point.

This also connects to Charles Wheeler Salt Marsh and Wildlife Management Area, which is 840 acres.

The historic district near the longest green in New England has three homes to tour, one thought to be the first home built in Milford.

This district also has a collection of Native American artifacts and a country store for even more shopping.

Check with the Milford Chamber of Commerce before you visit to see what art events are coming up.

They host everything from parades to craft shows to live performances.

You’ll also see art vendors on the green in the warmer months.

The firehouse gallery is a former fire station now decorated in bright colors with art and demonstrations for all to see.

Places to Avoid in Milford

The one category that really sticks out as being higher than average in Milford is thefts.

There were 884 in 2020.

The highest crime areas aren’t downtown, they are at the public beaches.

This makes sense as the biggest number of thefts happen from car break-ins.

There is another pocket of higher crime areas along I-95 on the east side of town.

That’s also where a lot of the retail shopping is.

There aren’t any neighborhoods to avoid here and the city is relatively safe on every corner.

Even with a buzzing nightlife, you don’t have a big risk of getting mugged as you walk out at closing time.

Connecticut is sometimes very particular about the price of admission or parking, giving a discount to Connecticut residents.

Avoid trying to lie just to get the discount.

They verify the residency in various ways and it’s definitely not based on the honor system.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Milford

So... How Safe Is Milford Really?

It’s one of the safer areas close to New Haven you can find.

It’s also one of the more popular coastal regions that isn’t overrun with tourists in the summer.

Here’s how the risk of being a crime victim stacks up:

• Violent Crime: 1 in 1577
• Robbery: 1 in 2018
• Theft: 1 in 58 (but if you don’t have a car or practice perfect car safety, that risk goes down exponentially)

There have been just four homicides in this city since 2010.

It is really a small town with a big heart.

There’s a lot of community pride and events here.

People who live here like it for the small-town feel with bigger cities close by.

The cost of living here is nowhere near as high as you might think and the average household here makes nearly $100,000.

How Does Milford Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You will take care of the Visa at your airport of choice or port of entry. No additional processing is needed in Milford.

Currency

The U.S. Dollar here is the only currency accepted. Most places accept credit cards or mobile pay, and there's little reason to carry cash around, much less a large wad of cash.

Weather

If only the summers here could last all year long, but they don't. The winter is long and cold, so pack warm layers with waterproof shoes or boots for when it snows. For summer, boat shoes and water shoes are good too to keep your feet safe from slipping on deck or slicing a foot on a cracked seashell.

Airports

Tweed-New Haven Airport is about 20 minutes east, but you'll be in that I-95 traffic, so give yourself some extra time. For people flying in and out of the New York area, plan for about a 90-minute train ride and another hour or two to get to the airport and check in.

Travel Insurance

Weather can just screw up all the travel schedules in the northeast for various reasons throughout the year, so it's best to get travel insurance for your trip to Milford, Connecticut.

Milford Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Connecticut - Safety by City