The Most Dangerous Cities in America (2025 Edition)

What are the most dangerous cities in America? We’re discussing the most dangerous U.S. cities, is your city on our list? Crime in the United States has been on a rollercoaster over the past decade—rising sharply in certain years, then leveling off or declining in others. While the most recent data from the FBI shows a nationwide decrease in violent crime, safety remains a serious concern in specific cities where crime rates are consistently above the national average. In fact, a relatively small group of urban areas continues to drive a disproportionate share of the country’s violent offenses, including homicides, aggravated assaults, robberies, and sexual assaults.

This in-depth guide ranks the most dangerous cities in America based on violent crime rate per 100,000 residents, using the most current and reliable figures available. Our goal isn’t to stigmatize these places—many of them have vibrant neighborhoods, rich cultural heritage, and strong local communities—but to provide a clear, data-driven picture of where violent crime remains most prevalent. Whether you’re planning to move, travel, or simply stay informed, knowing which cities have the highest violent crime rates can help you make better safety decisions.

To ensure accuracy, this ranking is based on official FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE) statistics for 2023, supplemented by reputable crime research organizations where necessary. Cities with incomplete FBI reporting were excluded to maintain fairness and transparency. Each entry includes the city’s violent crime rate per 100,000 residents along with context on what’s driving those numbers—so you’ll understand not just where these cities rank, but why they rank there.

Top 25 Most Dangerous Cities in America (Violent Crime Rate Per 100,000 Residents)

Key Takeaways from the Rankings

• St. Louis, Memphis, and Albuquerque dominate the top of the list with violent crime rates over 8,000 per 100,000 residents—more than four times the national average.
• Oakland, Baltimore, Detroit, and Cleveland remain in the top tier due to persistent struggles with gang violence, drug-related crime, and systemic poverty.
• Mid-sized cities like Tulsa and Stockton rank surprisingly high, demonstrating that dangerous crime rates aren’t limited to major metropolitan hubs.
• Large metros such as Houston, Philadelphia, and Chicago still face significant challenges but also have neighborhoods with crime rates far below the city average.

Crime Trends: 2023 to 2024

While these cities remain at the top for violent crime rates, it’s worth noting that the overall U.S. violent crime rate dropped by about 3% in 2023, with homicides decreasing nearly 12% compared to 2022. Large cities—many of which appear on this list—reported some of the steepest homicide declines in decades during early 2024, according to the Council on Criminal Justice.

However, these improvements are not uniform. Many cities on the list continue to experience high rates of aggravated assaults, robberies, and gun-related crimes. The path forward will require targeted local interventions, economic investment, and community-based policing strategies to maintain and accelerate progress.

Understanding the Data

• Violent Crime Rate = Number of violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
• Data Sources: Primarily FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE) 2023 data, supplemented by trusted crime research organizations for cities with incomplete federal reporting.
• Categories of Violent Crime: Homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Safety Tips for Residents and Travelers

Even in high-crime cities, there are often many safe neighborhoods. If you live in or plan to visit one of these cities:

• Research neighborhood-level crime statistics before deciding where to live or stay.
• Use well-lit, busy streets and avoid traveling alone late at night.
• Invest in personal and home security measures. A home security system can go a long way keeping you and your family safe.
• Stay informed about local crime trends through community alerts.

Final Thoughts

Crime rates are an important indicator of safety, but they are not the full story of a city. Many of the cities on this list have thriving communities, cultural landmarks, and economic opportunities that coexist alongside their challenges. By understanding the numbers and the context behind them, you can make informed decisions about where to live, work, and visit—while also recognizing that positive change is possible.

Sources

• FBI – Crime Data Explorer (2023)
• Council on Criminal Justice – Year-end and mid-year crime trend reports
• Wikipedia – “List of United States cities by crime rate”
• SafeHome.org – Annual most dangerous cities report
• GetSafeAndSound.com – Aggregated city crime statistics
• Security Journal Americas – City-specific violent crime breakdowns