Top Crime Cities in America: US Cities with the Highest Crime Rates (2024)

Crime rates vary significantly across the United States, with some cities experiencing far higher incidents of violent and property crimes than others. If you’re researching safety, relocation, or travel plans, knowing the highest crime rate cities in America is crucial. This article examines the top crime cities based on the latest FBI crime data and independent research, providing insights into trends, causes, and safety tips.

How Crime Rates Are Measured

The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program tracks violent crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft). Crime rates are typically calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparisons between cities of different sizes.

Other sources, such as NeighborhoodScout and CityRating, also analyze local crime trends. For this list, we’ve combined FBI data with recent reports from SafeWise and WalletHub to ensure accuracy.

Top 10 US Cities with the Highest Crime Rates (2024)

1. St. Louis, Missouri

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,927 per 100,000 (FBI 2022)
• Key Issues: High homicide and robbery rates
• Source: FBI UCR 2022

St. Louis consistently ranks as one of the highest crime cities in the USA, with gang activity and poverty contributing to its elevated violent crime rate.

2. Baltimore, Maryland

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,859 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Armed robberies, drug-related violence
• Source: Baltimore Police Dept.

Baltimore struggles with systemic crime issues, particularly in neighborhoods like West Baltimore.

3. Memphis, Tennessee

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,736 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Carjackings, burglaries
• Source: Memphis PD Crime Data

Memphis has seen a surge in violent offenses, making it one of the top crime cities in the South.

4. Detroit, Michigan

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,632 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Homicides, property crimes
• Source: Detroit Crime Statistics

Despite revitalization efforts, Detroit remains a high-risk city for violent crime.

5. Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,567 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Property theft, drug crimes
• Source: Albuquerque Crime Reports

Albuquerque’s crime rates are fueled by socioeconomic challenges and drug trafficking.

6. Little Rock, Arkansas

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,512 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Assaults, robberies
• Source: Little Rock Crime Data

Little Rock has one of the highest aggravated assault rates in the country.

7. Oakland, California

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,487 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Gang violence, burglaries
• Source: Oakland PD Stats

Despite being near Silicon Valley, Oakland struggles with persistent violent crime.

8. Kansas City, Missouri

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,456 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Homicides, armed robberies
• Source: KCPD Crime Analysis

Kansas City has one of the highest homicide rates per capita in the US.

9. Cleveland, Ohio

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,421 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Theft, aggravated assaults
• Source: Cleveland Crime Stats

Cleveland’s crime rates remain high despite population decline.

10. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,398 per 100,000
• Key Issues: Car thefts, shootings
• Source: Milwaukee Crime Data

Milwaukee has seen a sharp rise in vehicle thefts and violent crime.

Why Are These Cities So Dangerous?

Several factors contribute to high crime rates in these areas:

• Poverty & Unemployment – Lack of economic opportunities drives crime.
• Gang Activity – Many cities struggle with gang-related violence.
• Drug Trade – Opioid and meth epidemics worsen crime.
• Police Shortages – Understaffed departments struggle with enforcement.

Safest US Cities (For Comparison)

While some cities face high crime, others are much safer, such as:

• Irvine, California (Lowest violent crime rate)
• Naperville, Illinois (Consistently ranked among safest)
• Cary, North Carolina (Very low property crime)

How to Stay Safe in High-Crime Cities

If you live in or visit these areas, consider these safety tips:
✔ Avoid walking alone at night in high-risk neighborhoods.
✔ Use secure parking and anti-theft devices for vehicles.
✔ Stay aware of surroundings—many crimes are opportunistic.
✔ Check local crime maps (SpotCrime) for real-time alerts.

Final Thoughts

The highest crime cities in America face complex challenges, but understanding crime trends can help residents and visitors stay safe. Always verify local crime statistics before making decisions about travel or relocation.

Did your city make the list? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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