Want to know what city has the highest crime rate? For our list of the worst cities in America we focused on larger urban centers with a population over 200,000.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in The US
- 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
Regarded as the most hazardous urban area in the US, Memphis, Tennessee, is notable for its elevated crime statistics. Housing a populace of 628,127, Memphis’s overall crime figures surpass the national median by 237%. Specifically, the city reports 7,913 crimes for every 100,000 individuals, with a violent crime rate notably higher than average. In 2022, Memphis experienced 15,318 violent crime incidents, including 289 murders, 2,134 robberies, and 12,484 assaults. This translates to a violent crime rate 652% above the national norm, posing a 1 in 40 risk of encountering violent crime for residents. The areas of Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, and Berclair-Highland Heights are particularly notorious.
2. St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis stands out for its significant crime rate. With 239,210 residents, its crime rate is 234% above the US average, translating to 7,847 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2020, the city reported 6,107 violent crimes and 17,399 property crimes. These included 263 murders, 1,242 robberies, and 4,278 assaults, presenting a 1 in 50 chance of falling victim to violent crime. Notable high-risk areas include Peabody-Darst-Webbe, Hamilton Heights, Walnut Park West, and College Hill.
3. Oakland, California
Positioned east of San Francisco, Oakland is consistently identified among the most perilous cities in both California and the US. With a population of 433,823, it has a crime rate of 6,459 per 100,000, soaring 175% and 150% above national and state averages, respectively. In 2022, Oakland reported 5,714 violent incidents, including 103 murders, 2,515 robberies, and 2,730 assaults, largely attributed to gang activity. Areas such as Eastmont, Acorn, and Webster are particularly affected.
4. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque’s crime rate stands at 6,356 per 100,000 people among its 562,599 residents, marking it 171% more hazardous than the US average. In 2022, the city faced 7,552 violent crimes, including 80 murders, 1,439 robberies, and 5,592 assaults, alongside significant property crime. Notable high-risk neighborhoods include Quigley Park, La Mesa, Jackson Area, and Crestview Bluff.
5. Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore, with a population of 567,498, reports a violent crime rate of 6,170 per 100,000, leading to a 1 in 17 overall victim risk. In 2022, the city experienced 9,498 violent and 18,370 property crimes, including 177 homicides in the first half of the year, mostly linked to gang and drug issues. High-risk areas include Middle East, Fairfield, West Baltimore, and East Monument Historic District.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans’ crime rate is 150% above the national average, with 5,864 crimes per 100,000 people among its 376,971 residents. The 2022 figures show 5,208 violent crimes, translating to a 1 in 74 risk of violent crime victimization. Notable troubled areas are Pines Village, Wake Lake Forest, Central City, and Desire.
7. Detroit, Michigan
Detroit’s crime rate, with 5,389 incidents per 100,000 from a population of 632,464, is 130% higher than the US average. The 2022 data shows 14,430 violent crimes, including 330 murders, 1,850 robberies, and 11,565 assaults. Areas like Franklin Park, Fiskhorn, Warrendale, Von Steuben, and Greensbriar are particularly dangerous.
8. Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock’s crime rate is 121% above the national norm, with 5,263 crimes per 100,000 people from a 260,993 population. In 2022, it recorded 2,856 violent crimes, including 28 murders, 431 robberies, and 2,169 assaults. The neighborhoods of Jackson, Tech Terrace, Chatman Park, Maxey, and Dunbar are most affected.
9. Stockton, California
Stockton, with a population of 322,120, reports a crime rate of 4,259 per 100,000, 82% above the US average. In 2022, it recorded 4,047 violent incidents, including 56 murders, 918 robberies, and 2,883 assaults. High-risk areas include Civic Center, Park, Lakeview, and Seaport.
10. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, with 2,746,388 residents, has a crime rate of 3,926 per 100,000, 67% above the US average. In 2020, there were 26,620 violent crimes, including 774 murders, primarily due to gang conflicts and drug trade. The South Side and West Side, particularly Englewood, Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, and Washington Park, are high-risk areas.
To identify the most perilous cities in the US, we evaluated a range of indicators, including rates of violent crime and overall crime per capita. Our analysis is grounded in the latest FBI crime data and incorporates local and state statistics from 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Our assessment focused on major urban areas with populations exceeding 200,000. Despite their sizable populations, these cities report abnormally high occurrences of murders and other violent offenses. The ten cities highlighted here rank as the most dangerous in the nation, characterized by elevated rates of both violent and property crimes. These rates significantly heighten the risk for both residents and visitors. For those seeking a safer living environment or traveling, it is advisable to steer clear of these cities, which are notorious for their elevated crime levels.