Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America

What makes a city one of the most dangerous cities in America? Is it an added element of drugs and gang violence or murder rate? Overall, it’s the crime rate.

Although most of us can point to large cities and the extremely high number of crimes committed daily, most crime rates are based on a specific number of residents. A city like New York might be the largest in the world, but considering the number of people living there, the danger factor could be much lower than some small towns with serious drug and gang violence problems.

10. Chicago, Illinois

Although Chicago boasts being a gun-free city, it ranks tenth on the list of most dangerous cities in America. This large city in the Midwest is home to more than 2.5 million residents but has a crime rate of 3,926 per 100,000 people. Chicago is home to heavy gang-related violence and activity that makes it one of the toughest places for people to feel safe. In 2020, Chicago reported 26,620 violent crimes including 774 murders. The gangs of Chicago mostly operate in the South Side and West Side of the city.

9. Stockton, California

Stockton is a relatively small city with only a few more than 300,000 residents. Although the population is relatively small x, Stockton is 82% more dangerous than the national average. This means people have a 1 in 79 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime. This California city reported 4,047 incidents with 56 murders, 918 robberies, and 2,883 assaults. A few Stockton neighborhoods have been marked as the most dangerous. These are Civic Center, Park, Lakeview, and Seaport.

8. Lubbock, Texas

Another small city that has a higher than average crime rate is Lubbock, Texas. It might surprise you that a 121% higher than average crime rate only lands a city in the eighth spot on this list. The total population of Lubbock is a little more than 260,000 people and there were 5,196 crimes per 100,000 people. Lubbock reported 28 murders, 431 robberies, and 2,169 assaults in this city. In addition to these crimes, there were 13,858 incidents of property crime reported as well.

7. Detroit, Michigan

The economic downfall of Detroit has only exacerbated an already crime-ridden large city. This Michigan city is well known for being one the most dangerous cities in America. The population of Detroit is more than 632,000 and the rate is 5,389 incidents per 100,000 people. This crime rate is 130% higher than the national average. The change of becoming a victim are 1 in 44 with 14,430 violent crimes reported in 2022. The most dangerous neighborhoods in Detroit are Franklin Park, Fiskhorn, Warrendale, Von Steuben, and Greensbriar.

6. New Orleans, Louisiana

Although a major city in the country, New Orleans isn’t nearly as heavily populated as Chicago. This southern city is home to more than 376,000 residents and it’s one of the most dangerous cities in America. The crime rate is 150% higher than the national average with 5,221 violent crimes in 2020. New Orleans is a city that parties a lot, but it also experiences an extremely high crime rate with 201 murders and more than 18,000 property crimes in 2020. If you’re visiting New Orleans, you’ll want to avoid the Lower 9th Ward, Wake Lake Forest, and Pines Village neighborhoods.

5. Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore is much more heavily populated than New Orleans with more than 567,000 residents, but Baltimore is another port city with a high crime rate. The overall chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime in Baltimore is 1 in 17. There were more than 9,000 violent crimes and twice as many property crimes in Baltimore during 2020. During the first six months of 2022, 177 homicides occurred, which makes this a very dangerous city to live in.

4. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Breaking Bad didn’t do any favors to this large New Mexico city which is the fourth most dangerous in America. The crime rate is 171% higher in Albuquerque than the national average. There were 5,075 burglaries, 18,131 incidents of theft, and 4,965 stolen vehicles during 2022. The chances of becoming a victim in this city in the desert is 1 in 75, which is pretty high considering the more tan 562,000 residents that call Albuquerque home. This is a city you might want to avoid and cross off of your vacation list.

3. Oakland, California

Oakland has been a consistent member of the list of the most dangerous cities in America. This northern California city has a population of more than 433,000 people and a crime rate of 6,459 per 100,000 people. This put Oakland at 175% higher than the national average for crime and 150% higher than California as a whole. During 2022, 103 murders occurred in this city along with 2,515 robberies, and 2,730 assaults. The most dangerous neighborhoods in the gang-riddled city are North Stonehurst, South Stonehurst, Caballo Hills, and South Prescott.

2. St. Louis, Missouri

Most people would probably never expect St. Louis to find its way on this list, let alone near the top. The crime rate in St. Louis is 234% higher than the national average with 263 murders, 1,252 robberies, and 4,278 assaults in 2020. You have a 1 in 50 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in St. Louise. The most dangerous areas of this midwestern city are Peabody-Darst-Webbe, Hamilton Heights, Walnut Park West, and College Hill.

1. Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is home to southern charm, country music, and it is also the most dangerous city in America. This town might be one of the most charming in the country, but its crime rage is 237% higher than the national average. Memphis has 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people and experienced 289 murders in 2022. That is one of the highest murder numbers on this list. There were also 12,48 assaults and 2,134 counts of robbery. The most dangerous Memphis neighborhoods are Shelby-Forest Frayser, Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, and White Haven-Coro Lake.

Are any of the most dangerous cities in America on your list to visit? If so, you might want to steer clear of the dangerous neighborhoods or pick a different location for your travels.