Most Dangerous Cities in the US

10 Most Dangerous Cities in the US (2024)

Do you want to know the most dangerous cities in the US? We will look at the crime rates and show you the cities that are very risky to live in or visit. Most of these cities are in the Midwest, but there is also one on the east coast and one on the west coast. This list is useful for both residents and travelers, here are the most dangerous cities in the US.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in the US

1. Memphis, TN

Memphis is the most dangerous city in the United States. With a staggering 54,826 crimes, Memphis has earned a reputation for being the most dangerous place to live in America. 

Crime in Memphis has become even more alarming in recent times, major violent crimes (such as rape, murder, aggravated assault) increased by 10.7%. 

Major property crime rates in Memphis have also surged, with a concerning 35.5% increase. 

Source: Memphis Police Department Crime Data

2. Detroit, MI

Detroit is the second most dangerous city in the US.  Detroit witnessed a staggering 310 murders. 

Additionally, there were 1,409 reported robberies and a substantial 10,488 aggravated assaults, underlining the pressing need for enhanced safety measures in Detroit.

However, amidst these concerning crime statistics, there is a glimmer of hope. Detroit saw a noteworthy decrease in its violent crime rate, with a 6.2% reduction per 100,000 residents. 

This positive trend suggests that efforts to curb violent crime may be making some headway, offering Detroit residents a ray of hope.

However, Detroit faces other major challenges, particularly in property crime. Detroit has a significant surge in property crime rates, with an alarming 31.9% increase. This surge included 5,008 incidents of burglary, 14,174 cases of larceny, and 9,594 motor vehicle thefts.

Of all property crimes, motor vehicle theft is a major problem in Detroit with the most substantial increase, soaring by a daunting 39.5%. This raises concerns about vehicle security and overall property safety within the city.

Source: Michigan State Police Crime Data

3. St. Louis, MO

St. Louis is one of the most dangerous places in America. It stands as one of the most challenging cities in the United States when it comes to crime. 

In 2023, St. Louis faced 4,712 violent crimes, with aggravated assault being the most prevalent, accounting for 2,040 cases. 

Among the sobering figures, St. Louis has witnessed 95 murders, 62 rape cases, and 106 kidnappings. 

While these numbers sound scary, there is some encouraging news from the St. Louis Police Department. When compared to 2022, overall violent crime is down 2.4%. 

One of the most significant successes is the substantial 44% reduction in murders in 2023 and rape has decreased by an impressive 50%!

However, kidnapping has seen a concerning 7% increase in St. Louis.

Property crime is also down in St. Louis, marking a substantial 34.9% decrease in 2023 so far compared to the previous year. 

Motor vehicle theft has an impressive 42% reduction in 2023!

But keep your belongings close, there has been an increase in purse snatching in St. Louis, up by a staggering 350%, accounting for 45 incidents!  

Source: St. Louis Police Department Crime Data

4. Little Rock, AR

Little Rock is one of the most dangerous cities to live in the United States. 

However, despite high violent crime rates in Little Rock, there is encouraging news from the Little Rock Police Department in 2023.

Violent crime in Little Rock has decreased by 7% in 2023. Murder has decreased by an impressive 45%, rape cases have seen a 13% decrease, and aggravated assaults are down by 9%.

However, one notable exception is the 14% increase in robbery incidents in 2023 compared to the previous year. 

On the front of property crime, Little Rock is also making progress, with a 7% decrease. 

Burglary rates are down by 20%, larceny showing a 2% decline, and motor vehicle thefts are down by 12%. 

Source: Little Rock Police Department Crime Data

5. Birmingham, AL

When it comes to crime, Birmingham is one of the most dangerous cities to live in the US.

According to the Birmingham Police Department’s crime report data, the city has experienced some disturbing trends in crime in 2023.

Total violent crime in Birmingham has increased by 6.7% in 2023. Robbery has surged by 18.22%, while aggravated assault has increased by 6.7%.

However, there is a glimmer of hope. Both murder and rape have seen significant decreases in 2023, with murder down by 8.9% and rape down by a remarkable 43.8%. 

On the front of property crime, Birmingham faces another uphill battle. Total property crime has risen by a substantial 17.4% in 2023. Auto theft, in particular, has surged by 10.6%.

However, it’s important to note that not all property crime statistics are on the rise. Burglaries have seen a significant decrease of 13.9% in 2023.

Source: Birmingham Police Department Crime Data

6. Chicago, IL

Chicago is one of the most dangerous cities to live in America. Chicago is facing a major surge in criminal activity, with crime rates soaring by an alarming 32% compared to the previous year. 

Chicago has witnessed a staggering 50,383 reported crimes! 

Motor vehicle theft is a major problem in Chicago, with an alarming 99% increase. In 2023, there were 19,585 motor vehicle thefts compare to the previous year, where there were only 9853 auto thefts!

Robbery is also another problem in Chicago with a 23% increase.

Sexual assault incidents are up by 5% in Chicago. Additionally, aggravated battery cases have increased by 4%.

However, amidst the shadows of escalating crime, there are glimmers of hope. 

Murder rates in Chicago have decreased by 8%. Shooting incidents have seen an 11% decrease, signifying progress in curbing gun-related violence.

Check out our list of the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Chicago

Source: Chicago Police Department Crime Data 

7. New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is no stranger to the grim distinction of being one of the most dangerous places in the US. 

A striking testament to this is its staggering murder rate, which ranks among the highest in the nation. New Orleans had an alarming rate of 70 homicides per 100,000.

In concrete numbers, this equated to a chilling total of 280 homicides in a single year.

Shootings remain problematic in New Orleans, with 482 shooting incidents.  There were 279 carjackings and 541 robberies. 

It’s noteworthy that most of these shootings and homicides occurred in the neighborhoods of Central City, the Seventh Ward, and Little Wood.

Source: New Orleans Police Department

8. Oakland, CA

Oakland finds itself as the most dangerous city in California, grappling with a concerning surge in crime. 

According to the Oakland Police Department’s crime report data, the city has experienced an alarming 28% increase in overall crime in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Violent crime has surged by 19% in 2023. There has been a rise in aggravated assaults by 12% and rape by 6%.

Robbery incidents have seen a staggering 30% increase. Equally concerning is the 30% increase in burglaries.

Despite these concerning trends, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of a 10% decrease in homicides.

However, car theft is a major problem in Oakland. There has been an astounding 52% increase in motor vehicle thefts compared to the previous year. 

Source: Oakland Police Department Crime Data

9. Milwaukee, WI

​​Milwaukee finds itself in the spotlight as one of the most dangerous cities to live in the United States. However, there is hope! Milwaukee is experiencing a decrease in overall crime by 14% when compared to the previous year.

This positive trend indicates a significant shift in the right direction towards a safer city.

Among the most promising crime statistics in Milwaukee, homicide rates have decreased by a remarkable 25%. 

Motor vehicle theft has also seen a substantial decrease, down by 32%. Aggravated assault has decreased by 5%. 

Rape incidents, although down by 1%, remain a concern.

However, there is a need to address persistent issues, such as human trafficking, which has increased by 6% and burglaries have also seen an 8% increase.

Source: Milwaukee Police Department Crime Data  

10. Baltimore, MD

Baltimore is the most dangerous city on the East Coast. 

For a small city with a population of 569,931, Baltimore reported a total of 678 violent crimes.

Among these crimes, Baltimore witnessed 7 homicides, 52 robberies and 14 carjackings.

Perhaps most concerning of all are the 104 aggravated assaults reported during this period. The unfortunate statistic of 14 shootings further emphasizes the urgency of addressing gun-related violence in the city.

Source: Baltimore Police Department Crime Data

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