The Worst City in America: Top 10 List (2025 Update)

Michelle Wilson - May 24, 2023

In every country, there exists the contemplative question of “Which city is the worst?” and America is no exception. Many factors go into answering this, such as culture, climate (environmental and societal), state location, and people, among other things. Arguably the most common form of measurement are the cities’ crime rates. For a lot of prospective tourists, this is what prevents them from visiting these cities.

10. Stockton, CA

Generally speaking, California is not the cheapest state to live in. The key reasons why it’s expensive to live there are its high-income tax rates, strong economy, and limited supply of housing, all of which make it hard for residents to be economical. This is what makes the city of Stockton so appealing in the eyes of those interested in living in the state. Its good affordability rate is as attractive to potential residents as it is to criminals, unfortunately.

This Central Valley city has experienced a surge in its crime rates in the past few months. Gun violence is at an all-time high and the city has reported approximately 14 homicides and 1,415 violent crimes per 100,000 residents since the start of the year.

9. Little Rock, AR

Located along the Arkansas River, the state’s capital city, Little Rock, is a major draw for tourists thanks to its beautiful scenery, including lakes and hot springs. Moreover, it is home to the only active diamond mine in the country. However, the city’s high crime rate dissuades people from visiting these sites.

Little Rock may not be as well-known as the other cities listed, but its crime rates are still noteworthy. The chances of being a victim of a crime in this city are high, with an average of nine crimes being committed daily. The crimes that are more commonplace in Little Rock are property-related, such as car theft, burglary, and robbery.

8. Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque is a picturesque New Mexico city that’s famous for its rich cultural heritage, gorgeous scenery, and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Plus, for a lot of people, the name of the city elicits a memory of Bugs Bunny’s famous quote, “I knew I should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque.” With that said, the city has also been contending with a high crime rate.

Being the most populated city in the state, with the total number of residents being around 950,000, Albuquerque has had many instances of mugging and pickpocketing. The city reported up to 12 homicides and 1,127 violent crimes per 100,000 residents last year.

7. Baltimore, MD

Baltimore (aka. the “Charm City”) is recognized as being the home of the National Anthem, has an amazing aquarium, and serves what is considered to be the best crab cakes. With all these amenities and appealing qualities, it is so easy to overlook – let alone notice at all – that the Maryland city struggles with its fair share of crimes.

Overall, Baltimore has seen a large number of homicides, as well as many vehicle break-ins. The city has reported approximately 58 homicides per 100,000 residents in recent years, plus 1,925 counts of violent crimes. Poverty, gang violence, and drug-related issues are other afflictions that the city grapples with.

6. Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee’s main draws are its fantastic breweries and the beautiful views of Lake Michigan. At the same time, the city has a high crime rate that it has been struggling to control for years. Since the days of prolific serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer, the crimes have not slowed down.

The most common offenses committed in Cleveland are robbery and assault. So far this year, there have been roughly 20 reported homicides and 1,333 violent crimes committed per 100,000 inhabitants.

5. Cleveland, OH

Cleveland is primarily known for its museums and extensive music history. Sadly, for all its vibrancy and attractive features, the city boasts a very high crime rate. So much so that while it may not rank as the absolute worst or most dangerous city in America, its crime rate can sadly overshadow the city’s good qualities.

There is a 1 in 18 chance of someone in the city becoming the victim of either a violent attack or property crime in the state. In this sense, Cleveland is unique in Ohio because the crime rates in most of the state’s other communities are comparatively lower.

4. Springfield, MO

Springfield is a small city located in Missouri whose population is quite small, with it only being around 170,000. Despite its size and a tiny number of residents, tourists still visit the city to check out the aquariums and museums that reside there.

However, the crime rate in Springfield is substantial, with the number of incidents per 100,000 people being approximately 1,504. In fact, the violent crime rate almost triples the national average. Prevalent misconducts include thefts and assault, but the average person also has a 1 in 14 chance of experiencing property crime.

3. Memphis, TN

This Tennessee city is well-known for being the birthplace of the blues and rock n’ roll. Music lovers come from far and wide to enjoy the bustling environment, as well as the barbeques. As fun as the nightlife is in this city, one must always remain vigilant due to the crime rate being one of the highest in America.

Unlike a lot of cities included on this list, Memphis’ crime rate has only been increasing over the years. With its population being roughly 621,777, the city’s crime rate exceeds the national average by 237%.

2. St. Louis, MO

Frequently called the “Gateway to the West,” the city of St. Louis resides next to the Mississippi River. It has a rich history in the blues music genre, as well as baseball. Additionally, it is known for several famous residents like Josephine Baker, T.S. Eliot, and Maya Angelou. However, the city also has a serious crime problem.

St. Louis is a popular pick for many “cities with the highest crime rates” lists, especially per capita. In recent years, there have been up to 87 reported homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Moreover, it has high rates of substance abuse and homelessness.

1. Detroit, MI

Over the years, there have been many jokes made about the city of Detroit. Even though it has some good qualities, such as being a staple in auto manufacturing and the fact that it has recovered from its 2013 bankruptcy rather decently, there are just as many reasons as to why many consider it to be the worst city in America.

Regardless of how much history it holds, the city is one of the most dangerous in the country. Residents see around 22 crimes each day, which means that its crime rate is roughly six times the national average. Last year, there were up to 330 reported counts of murder, 1,850 of robbery, and 11,565 of assault.

Conclusion

The best advice to give those who are still interested in visiting or living in these cities is to be attentive and stay safe. If they want to learn more prior to traveling, they should run a background check on what makes these cities “the worst.”