Medellín's Homicide Rate in 2025–2026: The Real Statistics and What They Mean

Medellín's transformation from the world's most dangerous city to a thriving tourism destination is one of the most remarkable stories in urban history — and the statistics bear it out. But what do the numbers actually look like in 2025–2026, and what do they mean for the average visitor?

The Headline Statistics

At approximately 15 homicides per 100,000 residents, Medellín's murder rate is lower than St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, New Orleans, and Birmingham in the United States. It is comparable to some neighborhoods in Chicago. The vast majority of homicides are gang-on-gang violence in peripheral neighborhoods and have essentially no direct relevance to visitors staying in El Poblado, Laureles, or Envigado.

The Foreigner Perspective

A 2024 analysis based on official Colombian data found that foreign visitors in Medellín have a violent death rate of approximately 2.4 per 100,000 — more than five times lower than the citywide rate. Of 1.8 million tourists in 2023, 118 foreign nationals died in total (including accidents, overdoses, suicides, and violent deaths), with 45 violent deaths. Context matters: most of those violent deaths involved individuals engaged in risky behaviors (sex tourism, drug purchasing, going alone to private residences with strangers).

For tourists who follow basic safety protocols, the actual risk is low. The Numbeo 2026 survey of Medellín visitors finds 74 out of 100 report zero encounters with any violence, including verbal abuse or harassment.

What the Current Risks Actually Are

The most relevant risks for visitors in 2026, in order of frequency:

1. Phone theft: The most common crime by far — almost entirely preventable by not using your phone visibly on the street
2. Scopolamine drugging: 2–3 reported cases per month in tourist areas — severe consequences but preventable with the three rules (see our safety guide)
3. Opportunistic robbery: Rare in El Poblado and Laureles; higher risk downtown at night
4. Taxi scams: Use Uber/DiDi exclusively; avoid hailing street taxis
5. Counterfeit money: Exchange at banks or ATMs only

The Bottom Line

Medellín is safe for informed, vigilant tourists who stick to well-known neighborhoods, don't engage with sex tourism or drug purchasing, protect their drinks, and use Uber after dark. The safety narrative has shifted from "dangerous city with some safe pockets" to "safe city with some dangerous contexts" — the distinction matters enormously for how you approach your visit.