Cities / Fort Lauderdale / Downtown Fort Lauderdale vs Downtown
Downtown Fort Lauderdale vs Downtown: which is safer?
Downtown Fort Lauderdale is the safer of the two — 74/100 against 62/100. Go with care. Downtown Fort Lauderdale is vibrant, prosperous, and generally safe for visitors exploring the Riverwalk and Las Olas commercial corridor. Maintain standard city awareness at night around the entertainment strip and regional transit hubs where property crime and intoxicated altercations are more common.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
74
out of 100 · Go, stay aware
Downtown Fort Lauderdale serves as Broward County's central business and cultural hub, featuring luxury high-rises along the scenic New River. Visitors will find a blend of historic charm, upscale dining along Las Olas Boulevard, and an active arts district.
- Walk score
- 88
- Bike score
- 72
Pros
- High pedestrian activity and active policing along Las Olas Boulevard and the Riverwalk
- Strong local economic base with high median household incomes in new residential high-rises
- Well-lit public promenades, clean public plazas, and visible downtown security ambassadors
Cons
- Higher rates of opportunistic property crime, including vehicle break-ins in garages and bike theft
- Rowdy late-night crowds and occasional bar fights in the SW 2nd Street / Himmarshee entertainment area
- Elevated transient presence and loitering around Broward Central Terminal and the courthouse complex
Downtown
Jacksonville, Florida
62
out of 100 · Caution
Downtown Jacksonville serves as the civic, financial, and cultural hub of Northeast Florida, anchored by the wide St. Johns River. It features a blend of historic early-20th-century high-rises, civic institutions, riverfront walkways, and emerging residential pockets.
- Walk score
- 78
- Bike score
- 66
Pros
- Active daytime presence of office workers, government personnel, and museum-goers.
- Well-traveled and scenic pedestrian promenade along the Northbank Riverwalk.
- Higher law enforcement and private security visibility around the Florida Theatre and Laura Street corridor.
Cons
- Property crime, particularly vehicle break-ins and theft, exceeds Duval County baseline averages.
- Foot traffic drops off steeply after 6:00 PM on non-event weeknights, leaving several corridors desolate.
- Pockets of high commercial vacancy and blighted infrastructure on adjacent northern and western edges.