Understanding crime patterns can help you stay informed about safety. In this 2025 update, we look at the most dangerous states in the U.S. as well as the most dangerous cities. “Most dangerous” typically means highest rates of violent crimes (and sometimes property crimes) per capita. While crime can vary by neighborhood, these rankings give a picture of which states and cities face the biggest safety challenges overall.

Top 10 Most Dangerous States in America (2025)

Based on recent comprehensive safety studies (including crime rates and other factors), the following are the top 10 most dangerous states in the United States, starting with the highest risk:

1. Louisiana – Ranked #1 most dangerous. Louisiana has the highest homicide rate in the nation (about 14.4 murders per 100,000 people) and struggles with other violent crimes. It also ranks very low in emergency preparedness and financial safety metrics. Major cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge drive up the crime stats, but rural poverty and low public safety funding contribute statewide.
   
2. Mississippi – Mississippi is #2, with very high overall crime and the nation’s worst scores in road safety and emergency preparedness. It faces issues like high fatalities in car accidents and limited law enforcement resources. Despite a lower population, it consistently has among the highest violent crime rates and poverty levels.
   
3. Texas – The 3rd most dangerous state by recent rankings. Texas sees high violent crime in certain areas (Houston, Dallas, etc.), and it ranked 48th in emergency preparedness. Notably, Texas also has the highest share of uninsured residents (over 18% with no health insurance), which can indirectly relate to public safety and well-being.
   
4. Arkansas – Arkansas has very high rates of assault; in fact, it has the third-highest assault rate per capita in the U.S. and a murder rate of about 8.6 per 100,000 (5th-highest). It ranks poorly in personal and financial safety as well. Little Rock consistently reports high violent crime, contributing to Arkansas’ position.
   
5. Oklahoma – This state faces high crime and low healthcare access. Oklahoma’s overall crime rate is about 3,277 per 100,000 people, one of the highest in the country. It also has a very high uninsured rate (~14%). Despite community efforts, places like Tulsa and OKC keep Oklahoma in the top 5 for crime.
   
6. Montana – A somewhat surprising entry at #6. Montana’s violent crime rates aren’t as extreme as Louisiana’s, but it ranks very low in personal safety measures. Factors include high rates of DUIs and road accidents, and challenges in law enforcement coverage in rural areas.
   
7. Alabama – Alabama has the 7th-highest homicide rate (around 8.3 per 100,000) and a high incidence of assaults. It also ranks 46th in emergency preparedness. Birmingham and Mobile see a lot of violent crime, and the state overall has struggled with poverty and inadequate public safety funding.
   
8. Florida – Though known for tourism, Florida ranks as the 8th most dangerous state by some safety indexes. It scored poorly on road safety (lots of traffic fatalities) and has a high violent crime rate in certain cities. Florida also has a large uninsured population (~13%). Cities like Jacksonville and Orlando have significant crime pockets even as overall state crime has improved slightly.
   
9. Missouri – Missouri comes in at #9. It unfortunately has the second-highest murder rate in the country (~9.8 per 100,000), largely due to St. Louis being consistently one of the deadliest cities. Missouri also ranks low in emergency preparedness.
   
10. Tennessee – Finishing the top ten, Tennessee has very high violent crime rates (especially in Memphis and Nashville) and ranks 50th – dead last – for personal & residential safety. In 2020, Tennessee saw about 11.5 murders per 100,000 (8th-highest in U.S.). It also struggles with property crime; Memphis in particular drives up the averages with its crime challenges.
    

These rankings consider more than just crime rates – they include factors like healthcare, emergency readiness, and economic stability which all contribute to a state’s “danger” profile. For instance, Louisiana’s high unemployment and low emergency preparedness add to its risks. In contrast, states not on this list (like the safest states: Vermont, Maine, etc.) have lower crime and better safety nets. It’s important to note that even in the most dangerous states, there are safe communities, and crime can be very localized.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the United States (2025)

When it comes to cities, crime rates can be dramatically higher than statewide averages. The list below is based on violent crime rates (per population) and other 2024/2025 data, highlighting the most dangerous cities in the U.S. These are metro areas with the highest incidence of crimes like homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, etc.:

1. Memphis, Tennessee – Ranked #1 most dangerous city in recent analyses. Memphis has one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation. In 2024, it recorded nearly 400 homicides, surpassing even some larger cities. High poverty, gang activity, and understaffed police contribute to persistently high crime.
   
2. St. Louis, Missouri – Long known for a high murder rate, St. Louis remains near the top. Its homicide rate per capita regularly ranks among the worst, and overall violent crime is very high. Declining population and economic struggles have compounded the issue.
   
3. Detroit, Michigan – Detroit has made progress since its bankruptcy days, but violent crime is still a major concern. It consistently sees high rates of assaults and shootings. (In some recent rankings, Detroit and St. Louis have vied for the top spots.) Detroit’s slow economic recovery means some neighborhoods still experience rampant crime.
   
4. Birmingham, Alabama – The largest city in Alabama has a very high violent crime rate relative to its size. Birmingham’s metro area includes some impoverished communities that drive up crime stats, including a high homicide rate and frequent assaults.
   
5. Little Rock, Arkansas – A smaller city that might surprise some, Little Rock unfortunately has a very high crime rate per capita. Gang issues and drug-related violence have contributed to Little Rock often landing in the top 5 nationally for violent crime rate.
   
6. New Orleans, Louisiana – New Orleans has seen rising violent crime in recent years, including a high murder rate that places it among the nation’s worst. Carjackings and robberies have also been problematic. Despite its vibrant culture and tourism, parts of the city struggle with serious violence.
   
7. Cleveland, Ohio – Cleveland continues to face high crime, particularly on the east side of the city. Economic decline and population loss have left areas with high poverty and crime rates. Cleveland’s violent crime rate keeps it in the top tier of dangerous cities.
   
8. Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City has experienced increases in violent crime, with homicide numbers hitting record levels in recent years. Both Kansas City, MO and its Kansas side have issues, but the Missouri side has a higher population and more incidents, landing it on this list.
   
9. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – This one is interesting: as a small coastal city, Myrtle Beach doesn’t have a huge number of crimes, but per resident its crime rate is extremely high. This is partly skewed by its tourist population (incidents involving visitors count against a small permanent population). Petty crime and some violent incidents in tourist areas give it one of the highest per capita rates, hence appearing in some top 10 lists.
   
10. Denver, Colorado – Denver has seen rising crime, including property crime and a growing homelessness crisis that correlates with some violent incidents. While not as dangerous as others above, some reports put Denver at #10 due to increases in aggravated assaults and auto theft. It’s a reminder that even cities not traditionally thought “dangerous” have areas of concern.
    

(Honorable mentions / close behind:) Baltimore, MD – which historically is very dangerous (and likely would be in a top 10 by homicide rate), but some 2024 data had Baltimore’s stats improving slightly. Jackson, MS – which in recent years had the nation’s highest homicide rate per capita, making it arguably the most deadly city, though its smaller size sometimes keeps it off “top 10” lists focused on larger metros. Oakland, CA and Baton Rouge, LA are also often high on crime rate rankings.

These city rankings come from FBI crime reports and analyses that consider murder and property crime rates. For instance, U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-2025 list placed Memphis at #1, followed by St. Louis, Detroit, Birmingham, and Little Rock as the top five. Many of the cities above struggle with entrenched poverty, drug epidemics, and strained police-community relations – factors that fuel higher crime.

Crime statistics example: Memphis’s violent crime rate is ~2,300 per 100,000 people, and St. Louis’s is similarly extreme, far above the national average (~398 per 100k in 2025). These numbers translate to a high daily risk in certain neighborhoods. By contrast, larger cities like New York or Los Angeles have much lower per capita rates (NYC’s is around 540 per 100k), meaning they don’t appear on the “most dangerous” list despite total number of crimes.

Why These Places Rank High & What It Means

It’s important to understand that being labeled “most dangerous” doesn’t doom a state or city – many are taking action to improve safety. Often, these rankings reflect underlying issues: poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and insufficient resources for law enforcement or social services tend to correlate with high crime. For example, Louisiana and Mississippi, topping the state list, also have some of the highest poverty rates and lowest health rankings in the country. On the flip side, states consistently ranked safest (like Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire) have small populations, less income inequality, and relatively strong community safety nets.

Another factor is gang and drug-related violence. Cities like St. Louis, Detroit, and New Orleans have had persistent gang problems. The opioid and drug epidemic has also spiked violence in some areas (for instance, Cleveland and Memphis have seen violence related to drug trade and usage). Firearm prevalence and laws can influence these statistics too; states with higher gun violence often rank as more dangerous.

Public perception vs. data: Sometimes a city’s reputation doesn’t match current data. For example, Baltimore is often thought of as extremely dangerous (and it is high on homicides), but it didn’t appear in one recent top 10 list because other cities had even higher rates by 2024. Conversely, a tourist spot like Myrtle Beach appearing on the list might surprise people – it reminds us that crime rate per resident can paint a unique picture.

Staying Safe – Even in High-Crime Areas

If you live in or plan to visit one of these “dangerous” places, it doesn’t mean you’ll be a victim – but you should stay informed and take precautions. Crime is often concentrated in specific neighborhoods. Research local advice on which areas to avoid, especially at night. Practice common safety measures: travel in groups when possible, keep valuables out of sight, and stay alert to your surroundings. Many of these cities also have vibrant, safe areas where tourism and daily life carry on with minimal issues. For instance, millions of tourists safely enjoy New Orleans’ French Quarter or Memphis’s Graceland each year. It’s all about being aware.

Local governments in these cities and states are working on solutions – from community policing to youth programs – to reduce crime. And some trends are hopeful: overall U.S. violent crime has decreased over the past few decades, though the pandemic years saw some spikes. 2025’s data suggests some leveling off of those spikes in many places, but the rankings above show where challenges remain.

In summary, the top 10 most dangerous states (like Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, etc.) and top 10 most dangerous cities (like Memphis, St. Louis, Detroit, etc.) have earned their rankings through high crime statistics. These places warrant caution and awareness. However, remember that crime can affect anyone anywhere – so staying safety-conscious is wise no matter where you are. By knowing the risks and supporting efforts to address root causes, we can hope to see these rankings improve in the future.