No matter which city you live in, there are bound to be some shady areas. However, there is a selection of cities in the U.S. that have a particularly bad reputation with statistics to back it up. If you’re looking for a new place to live, you should check out the 20 most dangerous cities in the U.S. and where to avoid.
Corpus Christi, Texas
The Texan city of Corpus Christi has high figures for drug-related crime, but crime statistics are not dramatically bad when compared to some of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. However, Corpus Christi is particularly a victim of hurricanes, with 100% of all homes at risk, making it a dangerous place to live.
Detroit, Michigan
Numbeo statistics show that Detroit has a very high level of crime that has increased by 70% just in the last three years. This city has high violence rates in relation to both drugs and racism. Less than 40% of residents feel safe walking alone in daylight, which drops to 24% at night.
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Homicides are at a record high in Kalamazoo, making it onto the list of most dangerous cities to live in the U.S. Murder rates were up 91% in 2023, with firearms involved in all but one. Gun violence is an epidemic in the U.S. but nowhere has seen a greater surge than Kalamazoo.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma has a surprising amount of crime, with Tulsa leading the pack. Crime rates are constantly on the rise alongside the rate of poverty, which is closely correlated. The city is one of the most dangerous metropolitan areas in the country, with reports of violence exceeding the national average.
Memphis, Tennessee
With a crime rate 237% higher than the national average of a city in the U.S., there is no doubt that Memphis is the most dangerous city to live in the U.S. The homicide record in this Tennessee city continues to be broken year on year, with 269 in 2023, according to Neighborhood Scout.
Springfield, Missouri
With a crime index of just 5, Springfield is more dangerous than 95% of U.S. cities. It has the highest crime rate in the state, with property crime particularly prominent, which is three times higher than the Missouri average. The violent crime rate is also high with the majority of cases domestic violence related.
Stockton, California
The sound of gunshots is reported daily in this Californian city, and in 2022, 4047 violent crimes occurred in Stockton. It is said that people openly walk around the city showcasing guns, and gangs hang out on many street corners. Stockton is a place where people feel threatened just walking down the street, and it is a city to avoid in the U.S..
Chicago, Illinois
One of America’s most popular and populous cities, it is no surprise that Chicago has a lot of crime. However, its crime rate is simply staggering, even when considering the number of inhabitants. Chicago frequently makes the news as one of the most dangerous cities to live in the U.S., with 774 murders in 2020 alone, a year when the world was shut down.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Whilst New Orleans has a positive reputation as a vibrant U.S. hotspot, the city is also one of the most dangerous places to live in the U.S. Although pickpocketing is rife in the party areas, most of the violent crimes occur outside of tourist zones, but the city still has a consistently steady murder rate.
Bakersfield, California
Kern County has the highest murder rate in California and Bakersfield sits right in the heart of it. Most violence is gang-related, so it is easy to avoid trouble in Bakersfield, yet random incidents also occur. Bakersfield also has a high level of petty crime, which is encouraged by the frequency of tourists stopping here when traveling between San Francisco and LA.
Baltimore, Maryland
The city of Baltimore is a huge victim of drug and gang-related violence, making it a destination to avoid living in the U.S. According to the Baltimore Police Department, the city has a crime rate of 6170 in 100,000 people, giving residents a terrifying 1 in 17 chance of being victim to a crime.
Cleveland, Ohio
The chances of murder in Cleveland are sky-high, with homicide statistics six times the national average. It is considered to be 336% more dangerous than the rest of the U.S. As the second largest city in Ohio, Cleveland is densely populated but certainly one to avoid if you’re looking for somewhere new to live.
Lubbock, Texas
A Texas city with a staggering crime rate, the city of Lubbock has 38 crimes reported daily, with an average of 7.7 that are violent. Its crime statistics are higher than 97.1% of other U.S. cities, and Lubbock residents consider the south of the city to be the most dangerous corner.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
While the violent crime rate in Albuquerque is scary, with a 1 in 75 chance of being a victim, it is property theft that residents are most at risk of. In 2022, over 30,000 incidents of theft were reported, including vehicle theft, burglaries and personal theft. Many of these incidents also had connections to assault and, in the most severe cases, murder.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The chance of being a victim of crime in Chattanooga is a mind-blowing 1 in 16. While residents regularly report that they have no safety concerns, the crime statistics speak for themselves. Although other Tennessee cities have higher rates of violence, Chattanooga is still higher than the national average, while petty and property crime is a major cause for concern.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge has a serious issue with crime and has staggering rates compared to any other city in Louisiana. Receiving an average of 200,000 emergency calls per year, the Baton Rouge Police Department states that it is swamped with 204,000 calls in 2021 alone. This call rate is also why polls suggest the police department here is slow to respond.
Oakland, California
With a strong reputation for gang violence, violent crimes make up a hefty percentage of the crime rate in Oakland. Assault, robbery, and murder are the top crimes in the city, with a rate of 150% higher than the rest of California. Eastmont, Webster, and Acorn are neighborhoods that should be avoided in particular.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Unfortunately, boasting one of the highest rates of violent crime in the country, Little Rock has been reported as one of the most threatening places to live in the U.S.. Although other crime is also common across the city, violent crime is 400% higher than the national average.
Anchorage, Alaska
With a high homeless population, some sketchy neighborhoods, and dramatic rape statistics, Anchorage is considered certainly considered unsafe. Yet it also claims the third-most-dangerous city to live in the U.S. for other reasons. Winters are dark and cold, with a high level of driving accidents throughout these months. Plus, it has a strong bear population, which makes it quite dangerous.
St. Louis, Missouri
Based on 2023 statistics, St Louis is the second most dangerous city in the U.S. With 6112 violent crimes and almost 18,000 property crimes reported in 2023, residents have a 1 in 50 chance of being a victim of crime. With those odds, St Louis is definitely one to avoid.
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