By As someone planning to visit or relocate to a new city in the United States, it’s important to be aware of the crime rates. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in both violent and property crime across many American cities. To help you make an informed decision, here is a list of the top ten most dangerous cities in the USA in 2023.
How is This Determined The Most Dangerous Cities in the US ?
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting indicates that violent crime rates in the United States have seen only a slight decrease in recent years. While the most recent report currently available only covers up until 2019, it still provides valuable insights into the trends of violent crime in the country.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in America in 2023
- Memphis, Tennessee
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Oakland, California
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Baltimore, Maryland
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Detroit, Michigan
- Lubbock, Texas
- Chicago, Illinois
- Stockton, California
1. Memphis, Tennessee
According to recent statistics, Memphis, Tennessee is considered the most dangerous city in the USA. With a population of 628,127, the city has a crime rate that is 237% higher than the national average. Shockingly, Memphis has recorded 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, with an exceptionally high violent crime rate. In 2022, the city saw a staggering 15,318 incidents of violent crime, including 289 cases of murder, 2,134 instances of robbery, and 12,484 incidents of assault.
The most dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis that require particular attention are Shelby-Forest Frayser, Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, and White Haven-Coro Lake.
2. St. Louis, Missouri
The city of St. Louis, Missouri is the second most dangerous city in the US, with a population of 239,210 and a crime rate 234% higher than the national average. St. Louis has reported 7,847 crimes per 100,000 people, including 6,107 violent crimes and 17,399 property crimes in 2020. Among the violent crimes, 263 cases of murder, 1,242 cases of robbery, and 4,278 cases of assault were reported. Overall, residents in St. Louis have a 1 in 50 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.
Regarding the most dangerous neighborhoods in St. Louis , the areas that require particular attention due to their high crime rates are Peabody-Darst-Webbe, Hamilton Heights, Walnut Park West, and College Hill.
3. Oakland, California
Oakland, situated east of San Francisco, has consistently been one of the most dangerous cities in California and the US. With a population of 433,823, the city has a crime rate of 6,459 per 100,000, making it 175% higher than the national average and 150% higher than California. In 2022, there were 5,714 reported incidents of violence, including 103 murders, 2,515 robberies, and 2,730 assaults. Unfortunately, much of the violence in Oakland can be attributed to gang activity.
Regarding specific areas, North Stonehurst, South Stonehurst, Caballo Hills, and South Prescott are considered Oakland’s most dangerous neighborhoods, and require particular attention due to their high crime rates.
4. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, with a population of 562,599, has a high crime rate of 6,356 per 100,000 people, making it 171% more dangerous than the national average. The city reported 7,552 violent crimes in 2022, including 80 murders, 1,439 robberies, and 5,592 assaults. These numbers suggest that the likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime in Albuquerque is relatively high at 1 in 75. Furthermore, property crime is also a significant issue, with 5,075 burglaries, 18,131 thefts, and 4,965 vehicle thefts reported in 2022.
Quigley Park, La Mesa, Jackson Area, and Crestview Bluff are considered the most dangerous neighborhoods in Albuquerque, characterized by high crime rates and requiring heightened security measures to protect residents and visitors.
5. Baltimore, Maryland
As one of the most dangerous cities in the US, Baltimore, with a population of 567,498, has a disturbingly high violent crime rate of 6,170 per 100,000 people. In 2020, the city reported 9,532 incidents of violent crime and 18,370 incidents of property crime, resulting in an overall likelihood of becoming a victim of 1 in 17. Moreover, Baltimore has a notorious reputation for its high violent crime rate, with 177 homicides reported in the first half of 2022. Much of the violent crime in Baltimore is attributed to gangs and drug-related activities.
The neighborhoods of Cherry Hill, West Baltimore, Greenmount East, Fairfield Area, and Pulaski are notorious for their high crime rates and are considered the most dangerous areas in Baltimore. Visitors and residents in these neighborhoods are advised to exercise extreme caution and take necessary safety precautions to avoid becoming victims of violent crimes.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, with a population of 376,971, is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the US due to its high crime rate of 5,864 per 100,000 people, which is 150% higher than the national average. The city witnessed 5,221 violent crimes in 2020, with a 1 in 74 chance of becoming a victim. This includes 201 murders, 1,106 robberies, and 3,200 assaults. In addition, there were 18,098 property crimes reported, including 2,039 burglaries and 3,526 incidents of vehicular assault.
The Lower 9th Ward, Wake Lake Forest, and Pines Village are among the most dangerous neighborhoods in New Orleans.
7. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous cities in America, owing to its high crime rates. With a population of 632,464, Detroit has a crime rate of 5,389 per 100,000, which is 130% higher than the national average. There is a 1 in 44 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Detroit, with 14,430 violent incidents reported in 2022 alone. Among these incidents were 330 murders, 1,850 robberies, and 11,565 assaults. Moreover, there were 21,258 property crimes committed in the same year.
Some of the most perilous neighborhoods in Detroit are Franklin Park, Fiskhorn, Warrendale, Von Steuben, and Greensbriar.
8. Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, with a population of 260,993, is one of the most dangerous cities in the US, with a crime rate that is 121% higher than the national average. In 2020, Lubbock had 5,196 crimes per 100,000 people, with 2,856 violent crimes. Of those violent crimes, there were 28 murders, 431 robberies, and 2,169 assaults. Overall, the chances of becoming the victim of a violent crime were 1 in 90. There were also 13,858 incidents of property crime.
The most dangerous neighborhoods in Lubbock were Jackson, Tech Terrace, Chatman Park, Maxey, and Dunbar.
9. Stockton, California
Stockton, located in California, is considered one of the most dangerous cities in the US. With a population of 322,120, the city has a crime rate of 4,259 per 100,000 people, which is 82% higher than the national average. In 2022, the chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Stockton was 1 in 79, with 4,047 reported incidents. Of that number, 56 were homicides, 918 were robberies, and 2,883 were assaults.
The most dangerous neighborhoods in Stockton are Civic Center, Park, Lakeview, and Seaport.
10. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago often makes headlines for its high levels of violent crime, with a crime rate of 3,926 per 100,000 people, which is 67% higher than the national average. Gang-related violence and conflicts linked to the drug trade are major factors contributing to the problem. In 2020, Chicago recorded a staggering 26,620 violent crimes, including 774 murders.
The majority of gang-related violence is concentrated in certain neighborhoods where gangs operate, with the South Side and West Side of Chicago being considered the most dangerous. The neighborhoods with the highest rates of violent crime include Englewood, Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, and Washington Park.
Most Dangerous Cities in America Methodology 2023
To determine the most dangerous cities in America, we conducted an analysis that took into account various factors. These factors included violent crime rates, overall crimes per capita, and population size, with a minimum population threshold of 200,000. By examining these factors, we were able to assess the relative levels of danger present in each city.
It’s important to note that many of the cities on our list have high populations, but also disproportionately high rates of violent crime, such as murder and other serious offenses. By focusing on these factors, we were able to provide an accurate representation of the most dangerous cities in America.
5 Worst Cities for Mass Shootings in the US in 2023
- Boulder, Colorado
- San Jose, California
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
FAQ
What US city has the highest crime rate?
Memphis, Tennessee is currently considered the most dangerous city in the United States. Despite having a population of 628,127, the city has a remarkably high crime rate that is 237% above the national average. Specifically, Memphis has 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, with an alarmingly high rate of violent crime.
What city in the US has the lowest crime rate?
Glens Falls, New York
- Population: 124,339.
- Violent crime rate: 1.
- Property crime rate: 7.
- Median household income: $50,071.
- Median home price: $211,692.
What state has most murders?
Recent statistics show that the states with the highest murder rates in the United States are Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alaska, Maryland, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and North Carolina. However, the highest murder rate in the US is found in the District of Columbia, which has a rate of 49.2 murders per 100,000 people.
Is Chicago a safe place to visit?
The downtown area of Chicago, encompassing the Loop and Millennium Park, is considered to be a safe destination for tourists. This neighborhood is densely populated, well-illuminated, and heavily monitored by law enforcement, making it a secure location to visit. Visitors can feel confident and secure exploring this area during both the day and evening hours.
