25 Most Dangerous American Cities, Based on FBI Crime Data
Whether you’re planning to move or just want to visit somewhere in the U.S., there are a number of factors to consider before deciding where to go. Housing prices and local amenities are important, but safety is a top priority for many.
Statistically, urban areas in the U.S. have higher crime rates than suburban and rural regions. However, the area one is within a city makes a huge difference in how safe or dangerous it is.
U.S. News & World Report ranked the 25 most dangerous cities in America using data from FBI crime reports. Do you plan to visit or want to potentially move to one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.? You might not expect to see some of the cities on this list.
City Crime Rates Measured
U.S. News & World Report determined the most dangerous cities in America using data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports. Murder and property crime rates were measured per 100,000 people in 150 of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.
This list does not factor in danger from other risks like road safety. According to one report analyzing fatal auto accidents, Memphis, Tennessee, is considered the least safe city when it comes to driving. In comparison, Boston, Massachusetts is the safest.
When reading through these cities, note that U.S. News considered both the murder and property crime rates in its ranking. So, some cities rank lower on this list than others even though they have a higher murder or property crime rate compared to one or more of the cities before them.
With that in mind, these are the most dangerous cities in the U.S., starting with the most dangerous.
1: Memphis, Tennessee
- Violent crime rate: 2,409.2 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 7,191 per 100,000 people
2: St. Louis, Missouri
- Violent crime rate: 1,484.3 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 7,280.1 per 100,000 people
3: Detroit, Michigan
- Violent crime rate: 2,027.6 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,487.7 per 100,000 people
4: Birmingham, Alabama
- Violent crime rate: 1,685.2 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,188.7 per 100,000 people
5: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Violent crime rate: 1,833.1 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 5,350.5 per 100,000 people
6: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Violent crime rate: 1,444.1 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,640.8 per 100,000 people
7: Cleveland, Ohio
- Violent crime rate: 1,621.1 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,341.3 per 100,000 people
8: Kansas City, Missouri
- Violent crime rate: 1,485.1 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,728.8 per 100,000 people
9: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Violent crime rate: 1,020.5 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 6,713.5 per 100,000 people
10: Denver, Colorado
- Violent crime rate: 1,072.5 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 6,433.2 per 100,000 people
11: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Violent crime rate: 1,231.2 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 5,271.9 per 100,000 people
12: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Violent crime rate: 1,520.1 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 3,267.0 per 100,000 people
13: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Violent crime rate: 978.8 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 6,428.9 per 100,000 people
14: Springfield, Missouri
- Violent crime rate: 1,423.3 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,918.7 per 100,000 people
15: Portland, Oregon
- Violent crime rate: 760.6 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 6,371.4 per 100,000 people
16: Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Violent crime rate: 1,135.3 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 5,222.3 per 100,000 people
17: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Violent crime rate: 1,048.1 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,338.4 per 100,000 people
18: Dayton, Ohio
- Violent crime rate: 1,173 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,303.2 per 100,000 people
19: Houston, Texas
- Violent crime rate: 1,148.2 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,601.4 per 100,000 people
20: San Francisco, California
- Violent crime rate: 696.1 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 6,245.5 per 100,000 people
21: Seattle, Washington
- Violent crime rate: 839.5 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 5,726.8 per 100,000 people
22: San Antonio, Texas
- Violent crime rate: 886.9 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 5,078.1 per 100,000 people
23: Nashville, Tennessee
- Violent crime rate: 1,215.2 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 3,914.4 per 100,000 people
24: Vallejo, California
- Violent crime rate: 971.4 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 4,246.4 per 100,000 people
25: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Violent crime rate: 1,176.7 per 100,000 people
- Property crime rate: 3,895.4 per 100,000 people
Memphis Tops Dangerous Cities
In 2023, more people became homicide victims than at any point in Memphis’ history — 398 victims compared to 190 victims, the previous high from five years prior. Gangs are abundant in Memphis, and the Memphis Police Department has stated that a lack of job opportunities for gang members drives a portion of the crime there.
Poverty is also a reason for Memphis’ high crime rates. Of the 45,000+ out-of-school and out-of-work young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 in Memphis, almost 50% live in poverty.
Detroit Crime Rates Drop
While Detroit ranked third on U.S. News’ list, it’s improving in terms of lowered crime rates. By the end of 2023, it was reported that Detroit ended the year with the lowest number of homicides in the city since 1966. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan praised local law enforcement for helping bring homicide numbers down.
Nonfatal shootings and carjackings also decreased in Detroit from 2022 to 2023. Over the summer of 2023, the city implemented a plan to reduce the chance of gun violence in downtown Detroit at major events, including the Grand Prix, Detroit’s Jazz Fest, and Taylor Swift’s concert, all of which were attended by thousands of fans.
The Safest City
On the opposite end of things, Realtor.com ranked Columbia, Maryland as the safest city in the U.S. One expert noted that the city’s residents have a greater sense of security when it comes to the community and their homes. An added benefit? Columbia has a low number of traffic fatalities per capita.
For those looking to relocate to Columbia, experts say a strong job market and the city’s close distance to major hubs like Baltimore and Washington, D.C. make it a smart move. Excellent schools and a variety of amenities draw in new residents looking for a more peaceful place to raise a family or retire.
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