100 most dangerous cities in the U.S., examining crime rates and safety challenges facing residents and visitors today.
This list highlights 100 cities across the United States where safety remains a key concern. Each of these cities, with populations over 25,000, faces unique challenges in ensuring security for both residents and visitors. By examining safety trends, we gain insights into areas that need further attention, with the goal of making them safer for all.
This year’s rankings reveal some notable changes. Cities like Monroe, LA, have dropped from the top spot, while newcomers such as Mobile, AL and Winston-Salem, NC, make their first appearances on the list. These shifts show that safety concerns can evolve over time, and local efforts to address these issues are crucial in shaping a city's ranking.
Bessemer, AL, experiences a high level of both violent and property crimes, with significant incidents of assault, robbery, and burglary. The city's crime rate is considerably above the national average, reflecting ongoing safety concerns.
Mobile, AL, faces elevated crime levels, with both violent and property crimes being major concerns. Incidents of assault, robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft are more frequent compared to national averages, indicating significant safety challenges in the city.
Monroe, LA, experiences notably high crime rates, with significant instances of both violent and property crimes. The city faces frequent occurrences of assaults, robberies, burglaries, and vehicle theft, making public safety a significant concern
Saginaw, MI, struggles with high crime rates, particularly involving violent offenses like assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent, contributing to ongoing concerns about safety in the city.
Memphis, TN, experiences a high frequency of both violent and property crimes. Common offenses include assault, robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft, contributing to the city's elevated crime rates.
Detroit, MI, faces a significant amount of criminal activity, with frequent incidents of violent crimes such as assault and robbery, along with property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft.
Birmingham, AL, has a notably high rate of both violent and property crimes, including incidents of assault, robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft, which occur more frequently than the national average.
Pine Bluff, AR, experiences elevated levels of criminal activity, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes such as assault and robbery, as well as property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft.
Little Rock, AR, faces a high incidence of both violent and property crimes, with assaults, robberies, burglaries, and vehicle thefts occurring more frequently than the national average.
Alexandria, LA, has a significantly high crime rate, with a crime index of 1 (100 being the safest), indicating it is among the least safe cities in the U.S. Both violent crimes, such as assault and armed robbery, and property crimes, including burglary and motor vehicle theft, are prevalent in the city.
Cleveland, OH, has a notably high crime rate, with a crime index of 3, placing it among the least safe cities in the U.S. The city experiences significant levels of violent crime, such as assault and robbery, along with property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft.
Kalamazoo, MI, has a high rate of crime, with a crime index of 3, indicating it is one of the least safe cities in the U.S. Both violent crimes, such as assault and robbery, and property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are common.
Milwaukee, WI, has a crime index of 5, making it one of the least safe cities in the U.S. The city sees frequent incidents of violent crimes, including assault and robbery, as well as property crimes, such as burglary and vehicle theft.
Albany, GA, has a crime index of 3, placing it among the least safe cities in the U.S. The city experiences high levels of violent crime, including assault and armed robbery, along with significant property crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft.
Gadsden, AL, has a crime index of 4, indicating it is among the least safe cities in the U.S. The city faces a high rate of violent crime, including assault and robbery, along with property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft.
Danville, IL, has a crime index of 3, placing it among the less safe cities in the U.S. The city experiences high levels of violent crime, such as assault and robbery, along with property crimes, like burglary and vehicle theft.
Lansing, MI, experiences a high rate of violent crimes such as assault and robbery, along with notable property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft. The city’s crime index of 5 reflects its ongoing safety challenges.
Baltimore, MD, faces significant crime issues, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes like assault and armed robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common. The city's crime index is 2, placing it among cities with higher crime rates in the U.S.
Springfield, MO, experiences elevated levels of both violent and property crimes. Assault, robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft occur frequently in the city, which has a crime index of 4, reflecting its higher-than-average crime rate.
Spartanburg, SC, has a high rate of crime, with frequent incidents of violent crimes such as assault and robbery, as well as property crimes like burglary and vehicle theft. The city’s crime index is 2, indicating elevated crime levels compared to many other U.S. cities.
Rockford, IL, experiences a significant amount of criminal activity, with high rates of violent crimes like assault and robbery, alongside property crimes such as burglary and vehicle theft. The city holds a crime index of 3, reflecting its elevated crime rates.
Wilmington, DE, faces high levels of violent crime, including assault and armed robbery, along with notable property crimes, such as burglary and vehicle theft. With a crime index of 3, the city has one of the highest crime rates in the U.S.
St. Louis, MO, has one of the highest crime rates in the U.S., with frequent incidents of violent crimes like assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city, which has a crime index of 1.
San Bernardino, CA, experiences elevated crime levels, with frequent violent crimes such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent, contributing to the city's crime index of 1.
Kansas City, MO, faces high crime rates, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes like assault and armed robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city, which has a crime index of 4.
Canton, OH, experiences elevated crime levels, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring frequently. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also significant, contributing to the city’s crime index of 3.
Chester, PA, has a high crime rate, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent, contributing to the city’s crime index of 1.
South Bend, IN, experiences elevated levels of crime, with frequent violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common, giving the city a crime index of 3.
Inkster, MI faces a significant crime problem, with regular occurrences of violent crimes like assault and robbery. Property crimes, such as vehicle theft and burglary, are also prevalent, as reflected in the city’s crime index of 2.
Albuquerque, NM, experiences a high incidence of both violent and property crimes. Assault, robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft are common in the city, which has a crime index of 1.
Chattanooga, TN, faces elevated crime levels, with violent offenses such as assault and robbery occurring frequently. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also significant contributors to the city’s crime index of 4.
Terre Haute, IN, has a high rate of criminal activity, with violent crimes like assault and robbery frequently reported. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also contribute to the city’s crime index of 4.
New Orleans, LA, experiences a high level of crime, with frequent incidents of violent offenses such as assault and armed robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also widespread, contributing to the city’s crime index of 2.
Camden, NJ, has a notably high crime rate, with violent crimes like assault and robbery occurring frequently. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also contribute to the city's crime index of 1.
East Point, GA, faces significant crime issues, with frequent incidents of violent offenses such as assault and armed robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent, giving the city a crime index of 2.
Minneapolis, MN, experiences high levels of crime, with violent offenses like assault and robbery being common. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also occur frequently, contributing to the city's crime index of 4.
Florence, SC, has a high rate of criminal activity, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common, contributing to the city's crime index of 3.
Elkhart, IN, experiences elevated levels of both violent and property crimes. Incidents of assault, robbery, burglary, and vehicle theft are common in the city, reflected in its crime index of 3.
Pueblo, CO, faces significant crime challenges, with frequent incidents of violent crimes such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent, contributing to the city's crime index of 1.
Stockton, CA, experiences high levels of crime, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes like assault and armed robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common, reflected in the city's crime index of 1.
Oakland, CA, faces significant crime rates, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring frequently. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common, contributing to the city’s crime index of 1.
Flint, MI, experiences high crime levels, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent, contributing to the city’s crime index of 1.
Houston, TX, has elevated crime rates, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common, contributing to the city’s crime index of 3.
Jacksonville, AR, experiences a high rate of crime, with violent offenses such as assault and robbery being common. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also occur frequently, contributing to the city’s crime index of 5.
Myrtle Beach, SC, has a significantly high crime rate, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery being frequent. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common, contributing to the city’s crime index of 1.
Paragould, AR, reports high levels of both violent and property crimes. Assaults and robberies are frequent, as are property-related offenses like burglary and vehicle theft. The city has a crime index of 4.
Battle Creek, MI, sees elevated crime rates, with violent offenses such as assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also contribute significantly to the city’s crime index of 5.
Tacoma, WA, experiences a significant amount of crime, particularly violent crimes such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common, reflected in the city’s crime index of 3.
Baton Rouge, LA, faces elevated crime rates, with violent crimes like assault and armed robbery occurring frequently. Property crimes, such as burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent, contributing to the city’s crime index of 4.
Jackson, MI, experiences high levels of crime, with frequent incidents of violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also contribute to the city's crime index of 5.
North Little Rock, AR, faces a high crime rate, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also significantly impact the city, reflected in its crime index of 4.
Nashville, TN, experiences elevated levels of crime, with violent offenses such as assault and armed robbery being common. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also occur frequently, contributing to the city’s crime index of 4.
Pontiac, MI, faces a significant amount of criminal activity, with frequent incidents of violent crimes like assault and robbery. Property crimes, such as burglary and vehicle theft, also occur regularly, contributing to the city’s crime index of 4.
Wichita, KS, experiences a high level of crime, with frequent violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also occur often, contributing to the city’s crime index of 4.
Newnan, GA, faces elevated levels of both violent and property crimes. Assaults, robberies, and incidents of burglary and vehicle theft occur frequently throughout the city.
Compton, CA, experiences a high level of criminal activity, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
Riviera Beach, FL, faces significant crime challenges, with violent crimes like assault and robbery frequently reported. Property crimes, such as burglary and vehicle theft, also occur at high rates.
Winston-Salem, NC, experiences elevated levels of crime, with violent offenses such as assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent throughout the city.
Anchorage, AK, has a high crime rate, with violent crimes like assault and robbery frequently occurring. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also a significant concern in the city.
Statesville, NC, experiences frequent criminal activity, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery being common. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also contribute to the city's overall crime levels.
Fort Smith, AR, faces elevated crime levels, with violent offenses such as assault and robbery frequently reported. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
Springfield, OH, experiences a high incidence of crime, with violent offenses such as assault and robbery frequently occurring. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also contribute to the city's crime profile.
Palm Springs, FL, faces notable crime challenges, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also occur regularly in the city.
Beaumont, TX, experiences elevated levels of crime, with frequent incidents of violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
East Chicago, IN, faces significant crime issues, with frequent incidents of violent crimes such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent in the city.
Tulsa, OK, experiences high levels of criminal activity, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
Lubbock, TX, faces elevated crime rates, with frequent occurrences of violent crimes such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent in the city.
Toledo, OH, experiences high levels of crime, with violent offenses such as assault and robbery occurring frequently. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
York, PA, faces elevated levels of crime, with frequent occurrences of violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent in the city.
Barstow, CA, experiences a significant amount of crime, with violent offenses like assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
Farmington, NM, faces elevated crime rates, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring frequently. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent in the city.
Dayton, OH, experiences a high level of crime, with regular incidents of violent offenses like assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
Bossier City, La has higher crime rate than 86% of communities in Louisiana. Property crimes, including burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, are the most common issues in the city. The analysis underscores the importance of community awareness and proactive safety measures.
North Charleston is notably more dangerous than 94% of communities in South Carolina. Key crime issues include a high incidence of motor vehicle theft and significant levels of property crimes such as burglary and larceny.
Aurora has a higher crime rate than more than 93% of communities in Colorado. The city experiences significant property crime, including burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson, with a particularly high rate of motor vehicle theft.
Daytona Beach, FL, has elevated crime rates, with violent crimes such as assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent throughout the city.
The crime rate in South Salt Lake is notably high. This includes significant property crime, such as motor vehicle theft, which occurs at one of the highest rates in the nation. Additionally, South Salt Lake experiences elevated rates of violent crime, contributing to its reputation as one of the most dangerous cities in America.
Salt Lake City has a significantly higher crime rate compared to the national average, with property crimes such as burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft being particularly prevalent.
Billings, MT has a crime rate of 55 per one thousand residents, making it one of the highest in the U.S. for both violent and property crimes. The city has a particularly high rate of motor vehicle theft, with a chance of getting your car stolen at one in 114.
Washington city experiences significant levels of both violent and property crimes. Violent. Notably, Washington has one of the nation’s highest motor vehicle theft rates.
Grand Rapids, MI, has a crime rate of 36 per one thousand residents, making it higher than most communities in the U.S. The city also registers one of the highest rates for motor vehicle theft in the nation, with a likelihood of 1 in 211 residents experiencing this crime.
Louisville, KY, experiences a high incidence of crime, with frequent occurrences of violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also significant concerns in the city.
Fayetteville, NC has a notably high crime rate compared to other communities across America, with a crime rate of 39 per one thousand residents. Property crimes such as burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson are particularly prevalent.
Huntsville, AL, has one of the highest crime rates in the country compared to communities of all sizes. Property crime is particularly significant, and motor vehicle theft rates are notably high.
Denver has one of the highest crime rates in the US, with a combined rate of violent and property crime significantly above the national average. Property crime, including burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson, is particularly high.
Goldsboro, NC, has a high overall crime rate, with 53 per one thousand residents. This rate is significantly higher compared to most other communities of similar population sizes. Property crimes, specifically motor vehicle theft, are prevalent,
Holyoke, MA has one of the highest crime rates in America, with a crime rate of 44 per one thousand residents. The city experiences significant levels of both violent and property crimes.
Wheeling, WV, faces notable crime challenges, with violent crimes like assault and robbery occurring regularly. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also common in the city.
Vallejo, CA, experiences high levels of crime, with frequent incidents of violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, are also prevalent throughout the city.
Shreveport, LA, has one of the highest crime rates in America, with a combined rate of 51 per thousand residents. Property crimes, including burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson, are particularly prevalent, with a rate of 41 per thousand residents
Muskogee has a significantly high crime rate compared to other communities of all sizes in the USA. With a population of 36,790, the city experiences both high violent and property crime rates.
Panama City, FL has a notably high crime rate, with a combined rate of violent and property crimes of 52 per one thousand residents. Property crimes, including burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson, are significant contributors to the overall crime rate.
Dover, DE, experiences elevated crime levels, with frequent incidents of violent offenses such as assault and robbery. Property crimes, including burglary and vehicle theft, also contribute to the city's crime profile.
Atlanta, GA has a high overall crime rate of 50 per 1,000 residents, with a significant portion being property crimes, such as burglary and motor vehicle theft.
Jackson, TN, has a notably high crime rate, with 38 incidents per 1,000 residents. This includes a significant amount of property crime, with a rate of 29 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Texarkana, AR, has a high crime rate of 38 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the least safe communities in the U.S. Property crimes, such as burglary and motor vehicle theft, are prevalent, with a rate of 29 per 1,000 residents.
Lake Worth Beach, FL has a high overall crime rate of 38 per one thousand residents, making it one of the highest in America compared to communities of all sizes. Motor vehicle theft is notably frequent, with a rate higher than most communities nationwide.
Chamblee, GA has a notable crime rate compared to other communities of similar size. Property crimes such as burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson are significant concerns for residents, with property crime rates being higher than the national average.
Springfield, MA, experiences a high crime rate of 33 per thousand residents, positioning it among the cities with the highest crime rates in America. Property crimes, including motor vehicle theft and burglary, are significant contributors, with a rate of 23 per one thousand residents
The total crime rate in Rocky Mount is notably above the national average, with property crimes such as burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft contributing significantly.
While high violent crime rates may raise concerns, it's essential to remember that these numbers don't define an entire city as unsafe. Crime in urban areas tends to be concentrated in specific neighbourhoods, meaning that many parts of these cities remain relatively safe for residents and visitors alike.
Disclaimer: This article is a recreation of data originally published by NeighborhoodScout. The original rankings and data were sourced from NeighborhoodScout’s Top 100 Most Dangerous Cities in the U.S.