10 Most Dangerous Cities in the US

Are you planning a trip to the United States? 

Generally speaking, it is a safe and exciting place to visit. This huge country boasts a large number of vibrant cities as well as natural attractions to discover. However, the crime rate in certain cities is quite high, and tourists need to take extra care. There are certain neighborhoods that it’s best to avoid, especially after dark. 

So, let’s take a look at the 10 most dangerous cities in the US and tips for staying safe when you travel.

Memphis 

Set above the mighty Mississippi River, Memphis is a city of legendary musical proportions. It is the birthplace of blues music and home to Elvis Presley and boasts a rich musical heritage. Visitors flock to the city for its celebrated nightlife, trendy arts, and shopping scene in Midtown’s compact Cooper-Young district.  

However, this city also has its dark side, and Memphis is the most dangerous city in the United States. It was also here that the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was infamously assassinated in 1968. The population of Memphis is 628,000, and the crime rate is 237% higher than the average in the United States. 

Countless murders every year!

There are around 7,913 crimes for every 100,000 people, and the violent crime rate is especially high. Last year alone, 289 people were murdered in Memphis, while there were 15,318 incidents of violent crime. Neighborhoods with the highest crime rates include Downtown, White Haven-Coro Lake, Shelby-Forest Frayser, and Parkway Village-Oakhaven. 

Louis 

Located in the heart of the USA, St. Louis combines the frontier west, gracious south, sophisticated east, and the industrial north. The city’s riverboat culture was immortalized by Mark Twain in his tales of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Although this city certainly has its charm, it can also be a very hazardous place to explore. 

St. Louis boasts a population of 239,210 and has a crime rate 234% higher than the average in the United States. For every 1000,000 people in the city, nearly 8,000 fall victim to some form of crime. More than 6,000 violent crimes were reported in 2020 as well as more than 17,000 property crimes. 

Watch out for violent crimes…

If you visit St. Louis, you have a 1 in 50 chance of falling victim to violent crime. There were 263 murders in the city in 2020 alone. It is best to avoid the neighborhoods of College Hill, Peabody-Darst-Webbe, Walnut Park West, and Hamilton Heights. 

Oakland 

Oakland is the 8th largest city in California and can be found on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay. This is one of the most diverse metropolises in the United States, and there is a vibrant nightlife scene. However, visitors need to take care to avoid walking around the city alone after dark. 

While Oakland has a fairly bad reputation, the majority of serious crime here is gang-related and specific to a few areas. There are a few areas that should be avoided at night, such as North Stonehurst, South Stonehurst, and Caballo Hills. Most of the crime in Oakland generally takes place in the west and east areas of the city. The crime rate is 6,459 per 100,000, making it 175% higher in Oakland than the national average. 

Hold onto your handbags!

Tourists are more likely to be victims of petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching. It is important to always keep your belongings close to hand when you are in a busy area. There is some car crime in the city, so if you rent a car, avoid leaving valuables inside and always lock it.

Albuquerque 

This city in the state of New Mexico boasts a population of just over half a million people. Albuquerque has a reputation for being a hazardous place to visit, and there were 80 murders last year. The crime rate is over 6,300 for every 100,000 people, which is 171% higher than the average in the United States.

Just over 7,500 reported violent crimes were committed in Albuquerque in the past 12 months. There were also just under 6,000 reported assaults and over 1,400 robberies in the same year. In terms of statistics, roughly 1 in 75 people are a victim of violent crime.

Lock your doors and set your alarm…

Property crime is one of the highest risks in the city, meaning that tourists are relatively safe. Certain neighborhoods have a reputation for being particularly violent and should be avoided. These include La Mesa, Quigley Park, Crestview Buff, and Jackson Area. 

Baltimore 

This important port city can be found on the east coast of the United States in Maryland. Baltimore is a bustling city with a long history of tradition and civic pride. The city is a major travel destination, boasting more than eleven million visitors each year. Despite this, tourists should be on alert while walking around the city.

While neighboring Washington DC was once the murder capital of the USA, Baltimore now has that dubious distinction. Drugs are rampant, and straying a few blocks away from the busier tourist areas could put you at risk. The Inner Harbor area is reasonably safe, with panhandling being the main annoyance. 

Drugs and gangs galore…

The population of Baltimore is just over half a million, while the violent crime rate is over 6,000 per 100,000. There were 177 reported murders in the first half of last year, and over 9,500 reported violent crimes. The chances of becoming a victim of violent crime in Baltimore is 1 in 17. 

Most violent crimes in the city are connected to drugs and/or gangs. There were also more than 18,000 property crimes last year. Neighborhoods to avoid include Pulaski, West Baltimore, Cherry Hill, Fairfield Area, and Greenmount East. 

New Orleans 

Commonly known as the Big Easy, New Orleans is one of the most vibrant cities in the United States. The city boasts a rich cultural history and is home to some of the country’s best nightlife and music. The French Quarter is one of the most popular areas of the city and is known for its excellent jazz venues.

Visitors should be careful when traveling to New Orleans, especially during Mardi Gras. The streets can be quite crowded with revelers, and there are often fights or problems with pickpockets. New Orleans is a 24-hour city with an open container law.

Even though the police are present…

Even though there are more than 1,350 police officers in the city, the crime rate is high. It is more than 5,800 for every 100,000 people, which is 150% higher than the nationwide average. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in the city is around 1 in 74. 

Detroit 

Next, in my rundown of the 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the US, Detroit is famously known as Motown and is located on the flat plains of southeast Michigan, on the Detroit River. The city has been known for producing cars ever since Henry Ford’s first Model Ts rolled off the production line. Detroit is an industrial city with a soul and has been the source of some of the USA’s most inspirational soul and R&B music.

Detroit has a reputation for violent crimes, which is 130% higher than the average in the United States. There were 330 murders last year, as well as more than 14,000 reported violent crimes. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Detroit is around 1 in 44.

Known for being notorious…

Franklin Park is a notorious neighborhood that should be avoided by visitors to the city. The cases of property crime in Detroit are particularly high and stood at over 21,000 in 2020. Other unsafe Detroit neighborhoods include Greensbriar. Fiskhorn, Von Steuben, and Warrendale. 

Lubbock 

The state of Texas has a notoriously high crime rate, which is significantly higher than the national average. Lubbock is the tenth most populous city in the state and boasts a population of around 261,000. The crime rate in this city is 121% higher than the average in the United States. 

There were roughly 5,000 crimes per 100,000 people in 2020, and around 2,800 violent crimes were reported. Of these violent crimes, there were over 2,100 assaults, 431 robberies, and 28 murders. More than 13,800 incidents of property crime were also reported.

Don’t stop and smell the flowers…

The likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime in Lubbock is around 1 in 90. The most dangerous neighborhoods of the city are typically those where the pollution density is highest. This includes the neighborhoods of Chatman Park and Jackson, Dunbar, Maxey, and Tech Terrace. 

Stockton 

56 murders were reported in Stockton over the past 12 months, which is particularly high for the state of California. The city boasts a population of just over 322,000, and the crime rate is around 4,200 per 100,000 people. This makes the city around 82% more dangerous than most other parts of the United States.

Around 1 in 79 people in Stockton become the victim of a violent crime. There were around 2,900 reported assaults last year and over 900 robberies. The city’s most notorious neighborhoods include Lakeview, Park, Seaport, and Civic Center. 

Chicago 

Located in the state of Illinois, Chicago has a reputation for being one of the US’s most violent and dangerous cities. Although most of Chicago’s tourist areas are fairly safe, it’s important to stay alert at all times. Visitors should stay away from deserted areas, especially at night, and avoid public parks after dark. 

The population of Chicago is just over 2,700,000, and the crime rate is nearly 4,000 for every 100,000 people. This makes Chicago around 67% more hazardous than the average in the United States. There were 774 murders in Chicago in 2020 as well as more than 26,000 other violent crimes.

Just stay on the right side of the tracks…

A lot of the violence in the city is due to the drug trade as well as gang conflict and violence. A lot of this violent activity takes place on the West Side and South Side of the city. Neighborhoods that should be avoided include Washington Park, East Garfield Park, Austin, West Garfield Park, and Englewood. 

However, there are plenty of reasons for tourists to visit the Windy City. The Loop is the historic heart of the city, drawing its name from the elevated train tracks that circle it. The best way to get around the city is on foot, as the area is flat and easy to navigate.

Staying Safe In The USA

Traveling in the United States is relatively stress-free, and most people are friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Although the risk of violence and theft can be high in some major cities, you can stay safe if you take precautions. 

Basic safety tips as well as situations to be aware of:

It’s Time To Relocate To Somewhere Safe!

So, you’re moving to a new city and looking for a new job? Then an immaculate resume is essential, so let’s take a look at the Best Opening Statement Examples For Resumes, How Long Should A Resume Be and Does A Resume Need An Objective, or how about the Best Resume Format Guide, and How Many Years You Should Go Back On A Resume?

But that’s not all; we’ve also covered the difference between a CV vs Resume, How To Show A Promotion On Your Resume, and the Most Important Skills To Put On A Resume, or How To List References On A Resume, Achievements To List On Your Resume, and How To Address A Cover Letter.

If you’re moving with a young teenager, then it’s best to find out the regulations in your state or them to be able to work. So, we recommend finding out How to Get a Work Permit in California, How to Get a Work Permit in Maryland, How to Get a Work Permit in Arizona, How to Get a Work Permit in Massachusetts, or How to Get a Work Permit in Illinois in 2023.

Final Thoughts

The United States is a vast and very diverse country that is composed of both natural and man-made attractions. Traveling through the United States is easy, and there is a lot to see and do. Outside of the larger cities, crime is relatively low if you take the proper precautions.

However, certain cities have high crime rates, and it is important to take extra measures to stay safe. Visitors should avoid certain neighborhoods, even in the daytime, because violent crime is particularly high. If visiting one of America’s Most Dangerous Cities, it is important to plan your trip.

Stay Safe, and enjoy your travels!