Ranking America's most dangerous cities requires looking at violent crime and homicide statistics that shape daily life for residents and visitors alike. High rates often trace to concentrated poverty, gun availability, and strained policing, with real consequences for safety and economic vitality. Compare the data and vote for the cities that top your list.
What counts: Best means highest danger based on violent crime and homicide rates; figures are approximate 2022-2023 estimates and should be treated as directional only.
St. Louis, MO▲ Rising
St. Louis has held the top spot for violent crime for years because its homicide rate routinely exceeds 60 per 100,000 in a shrinking population. The 2014-2020 spike tied to the Ferguson unrest and ongoing gang activity cemented its reputation. Its concentrated North Side neighborhoods drive the city's national ranking.
Violent Crime Rate: 2,000 per 100kHomicide Rate: 60 per 100kPopulation: 290,000Poverty Rate: 21 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Detroit, MI▲ Rising
Detroit's decades-long population loss left behind concentrated poverty that fuels carjackings and shootings at rates far above national averages. The 2010s bankruptcy and slow recovery kept violent crime elevated even as the downtown rebounded. Its metro area still records hundreds of homicides annually.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,900 per 100kHomicide Rate: 40 per 100kPopulation: 630,000Poverty Rate: 33 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
New Orleans, LA▲ Rising
Post-Katrina New Orleans never fully regained its footing, with violent crime fueled by tourism-driven targets and entrenched gang activity. Annual homicides frequently top 200 in a city of 370,000. Its French Quarter and surrounding areas see repeated spikes that keep it in the top tier.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,100 per 100kHomicide Rate: 45 per 100kPopulation: 370,000Poverty Rate: 23 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Cleveland, OH▲ Rising
Cleveland's violent crime remains elevated due to concentrated East Side poverty and opioid-related violence that has persisted since the 2000s. Its homicide rate stays well above the U.S. average for a mid-sized city. The 2014 Tamir Rice shooting and subsequent tensions further highlighted policing challenges.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,400 per 100kHomicide Rate: 30 per 100kPopulation: 370,000Poverty Rate: 30 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJR
Milwaukee, WI▲ Rising
Milwaukee's North Side has driven citywide violent crime increases since the 2010s, with homicide rates that exceed many larger Midwest cities. Deindustrialization and concentrated poverty created conditions that keep it on danger lists. Annual shootings frequently surpass 500.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,200 per 100kHomicide Rate: 28 per 100kPopulation: 570,000Poverty Rate: 24 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Kansas City, MO▲ Rising
Kansas City posts homicide totals that rival much larger cities because of entrenched gang disputes and easy gun access across state lines. Its per-capita violent crime places it firmly in the upper tier. The 2020-2022 period saw repeated record years that locked in its ranking.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,300 per 100kHomicide Rate: 32 per 100kPopulation: 510,000Poverty Rate: 16 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 3 rankings
Memphis, TN
Memphis climbed the rankings in the 2010s as car thefts and shootings surged, producing one of the highest violent crime rates among large cities. Its location along drug corridors and high poverty sustain the problem. National headlines about smash-and-grab rings reinforced its dangerous image.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,700 per 100kHomicide Rate: 35 per 100kPopulation: 620,000Poverty Rate: 22 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Chicago, IL
Chicago's sheer volume of shootings—more than 600 homicides in peak recent years—keeps it in every national discussion despite a population of 2.7 million. South and West Side gang conflicts produce the bulk of violence that dominates headlines. Its size makes the absolute numbers impossible to ignore.
Violent Crime Rate: 900 per 100kHomicide Rate: 22 per 100kPopulation: 2,700,000Poverty Rate: 17 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Baltimore, MD▲ Rising
Baltimore's homicide count stayed above 300 for multiple years despite a population under 600,000, driven by open-air drug markets and retaliatory shootings. The 2015 Freddie Gray unrest accelerated police disengagement that correlated with further spikes. Its per-capita murder rate remains among the worst in the country.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,800 per 100kHomicide Rate: 55 per 100kPopulation: 570,000Poverty Rate: 20 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta's homicide rate climbed sharply in the 2010s and stayed elevated, fueled by gang activity and car break-ins that affect both residents and visitors. Its position as a regional hub amplifies crime visibility. The city consistently ranks in the upper half of danger lists.
Violent Crime Rate: 950 per 100kHomicide Rate: 25 per 100kPopulation: 500,000Poverty Rate: 18 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
New York, NY▲ Rising
New York's size keeps its total violent crime numbers high even after the historic 1990s-2010s drop, with recent subway and retail theft spikes reviving danger narratives. Certain boroughs like the Bronx still post elevated rates. Its visibility ensures it remains part of the conversation.
Violent Crime Rate: 550 per 100kHomicide Rate: 5 per 100kPopulation: 8,800,000Poverty Rate: 18 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJR
Washington D.C. saw homicides rise above 200 in recent years, concentrated east of the Anacostia River where poverty and gun violence persist. Its status as the capital keeps every spike in national headlines. The contrast between tourist zones and high-crime wards sustains its ranking.
Violent Crime Rate: 900 per 100kHomicide Rate: 30 per 100kPopulation: 690,000Poverty Rate: 16 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 3 rankingsWashington, D.C.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia saw homicides climb above 500 in 2021-2022, driven by gun violence in North and West Philadelphia amid the pandemic and drug trade. Its large population and dense urban core produce sustained high totals. The city remains a perennial top-10 entry on danger rankings.
Violent Crime Rate: 850 per 100kHomicide Rate: 30 per 100kPopulation: 1,600,000Poverty Rate: 22 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Houston, TX
Houston's massive size and sprawling neighborhoods produce hundreds of homicides yearly, placing it high on volume-based lists even when per-capita rates are moderate. Drug trafficking corridors and gang activity sustain the problem. Its ranking reflects both raw numbers and persistent hot spots.
Violent Crime Rate: 700 per 100kHomicide Rate: 18 per 100kPopulation: 2,300,000Poverty Rate: 19 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJR
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles maintains high absolute violent crime numbers across its vast metro footprint, with gang-related shootings in South LA and the San Fernando Valley keeping it on national lists. Homelessness and property crime add to the perception of danger. Its scale ensures continued relevance in rankings.
Violent Crime Rate: 650 per 100kHomicide Rate: 10 per 100kPopulation: 3,800,000Poverty Rate: 17 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJR
Oakland, CA
Oakland's car break-ins and shootings have drawn national attention, with violent crime rates that remain high for a mid-sized Bay Area city. Gang activity and proximity to drug routes sustain the problem. Its ranking reflects both statistics and repeated media coverage of smash-and-grabs.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,100 per 100kHomicide Rate: 20 per 100kPopulation: 440,000Poverty Rate: 17 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Miami, FL
Miami's drug trade and gang activity produce homicide rates above the national average, with spillover violence affecting both residents and the large tourist population. Its position as an international hub sustains elevated crime. The city remains a steady presence on danger rankings.
Violent Crime Rate: 850 per 100kHomicide Rate: 18 per 100kPopulation: 440,000Poverty Rate: 20 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Columbus, OH
Columbus maintains elevated violent crime in its urban core despite overall city growth, with homicides that place it among larger Midwest cities. Economic disparity and gun availability sustain the issue. It earns inclusion through persistent statistical presence.
Violent Crime Rate: 700 per 100kHomicide Rate: 15 per 100kPopulation: 910,000Poverty Rate: 18 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 5 rankings
San Francisco, CA▼ Falling
San Francisco's open drug markets and retail theft waves have produced a perception of danger that outpaces its homicide rate, with violent incidents concentrated in the Tenderloin and Mission. Its tech wealth contrast highlights the problem. National stories keep it on danger lists.
Violent Crime Rate: 800 per 100kHomicide Rate: 7 per 100kPopulation: 870,000Poverty Rate: 10 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Tucson, AZ▼ Falling
Tucson's proximity to the border and drug routes produces elevated violent crime that places it among mid-sized cities with outsized danger metrics. Gang activity and property crime add to the profile. It earns its spot through consistent statistical presence.
Violent Crime Rate: 800 per 100kHomicide Rate: 15 per 100kPopulation: 540,000Poverty Rate: 20 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 3 rankings
Indianapolis, IN▼ Falling
Indianapolis has seen homicide totals climb into triple digits, driven by gun violence in specific corridors that push it onto national lists. Its mid-sized population and Midwest location make the rates stand out. The city has held a steady upper-tier position.
Violent Crime Rate: 900 per 100kHomicide Rate: 20 per 100kPopulation: 880,000Poverty Rate: 17 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 3 rankings
Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas combines tourism-driven property crime with local gang violence that keeps its violent crime rate above average. The Strip's visibility amplifies every incident in national coverage. Its ranking reflects both resident safety and visitor risk.
Violent Crime Rate: 750 per 100kHomicide Rate: 12 per 100kPopulation: 650,000Poverty Rate: 15 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJR
Denver, CO
Denver's violent crime rose with its population boom, producing rates that place it on expanded danger lists even as absolute numbers remain moderate. Homelessness and property crime add visibility. It rounds out the top tier through recent upward movement.
Violent Crime Rate: 650 per 100kHomicide Rate: 12 per 100kPopulation: 710,000Poverty Rate: 11 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 3 rankings
Albuquerque, NM▼ Falling
Albuquerque posts one of the highest per-capita homicide rates among mid-sized cities, driven by drug-related shootings and property crime. Its desert location and economic challenges sustain the violence. The city has climbed rankings steadily in recent years.
Violent Crime Rate: 1,400 per 100kHomicide Rate: 25 per 100kPopulation: 560,000Poverty Rate: 18 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Nashville, TN▼ Falling
Nashville's rapid growth has coincided with rising shootings and car thefts that have pushed its violent crime metrics higher in recent rankings. Tourism and urban expansion create new crime pressures. The city has moved up lists steadily.
Violent Crime Rate: 850 per 100kHomicide Rate: 18 per 100kPopulation: 690,000Poverty Rate: 13 %Data Year: 2022
added by IJRin 3 rankings
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St. Louis, MO at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
This is the most honest version of this ranking I've seen anywhere. The pros and cons are fair.
Missing a few names that belong in the top ten, but the top three is basically right.
Wild that St. Louis, MO is winning this. Scroll down — the real answer is further down the board.