- Most dangerous states in America have high violent and property crime rates, with New Mexico ranking worst in 2025.
- Crime data shows that scenic states like Colorado and Louisiana struggle with safety despite being popular travel spots.
- Safer states like New Hampshire, Maine, and Idaho offer low crime rates and peaceful living environments.
Some states in the U.S. look like paradise. But behind the beauty, they hide a serious problem—high crime rates. U.S. News & World Report has released its list of the 10 most dangerous states in America. The list is based on FBI crime data. It looks at violent crimes like murder, rape, and assault. It also includes property crimes such as theft, burglary, and arson. While many of these places attract tourists, they also face high levels of violence and theft. This makes safety a real concern for both visitors and locals.
FBI Data Shows the Most Dangerous States in 2025
The FBI tracks crime rates across all states. It separates crimes into two main categories—violent and property crime. Violent crime includes serious acts like murder, rape, and aggravated assault. Property crime involves things like car theft, arson, and breaking into homes or businesses. The FBI also says crime levels depend on many factors. Weather, economy, police staffing, and how crowded a place is can all play a role. Another issue is that many crimes never get reported. So the actual crime rate could be even higher than what the data shows.
New Mexico Tops the List for Overall Crime Rates
New Mexico is the most dangerous state in the country this year. The state has a violent crime rate of 749 per 100,000 people. That’s well above the national average. The property crime rate is just as bad—2,887 per 100,000 residents. New Mexico is known for its scenic deserts, national parks, and rich culture. But crime remains a huge issue. Albuquerque, the biggest city in the state, saw a 12% rise in felony arrests in early 2025. Santa Fe, the capital, also had a 5% jump in crime since last year. Despite the beauty, many people in New Mexico face serious safety risks.
Colorado Ranks Second Despite Its Natural Attractions
Colorado takes second place on the list. The state had a violent crime rate of 474 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,879 per 100,000. That’s nearly as high as New Mexico. Colorado is a popular destination for outdoor lovers. It offers ski resorts, mountain trails, and clean air. But crime numbers tell a different story. A separate study from WalletHub also ranked Colorado low for safety. It placed the state in 42nd place out of 50. This comes even though Colorado earned praise for good schools and health care in other rankings.
Louisiana Struggles With Crime, Especially in New Orleans
Louisiana lands in third place this year. Its violent crime rate is 548 per 100,000. The property crime rate sits at 2,630 per 100,000. While that’s a slight drop from last year’s numbers, the problem is far from solved. Most of the crime is happening in New Orleans. The city faces major issues with violence and theft. In fact, Louisiana came in dead last on U.S. News’ 2025 list of best overall states. The state’s struggles with safety and quality of life continue to affect its national standing.
Tennessee Moves Up the List for the Wrong Reason
Tennessee ranks fourth this year, which is worse than last year’s position at number six. The violent crime rate in Tennessee is 628 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 2,362 per 100,000. While the state has seen economic growth and more tourism, crime has not gone down. In fact, it’s getting worse. Cities like Memphis and Nashville deal with rising rates of theft and assault. This steady increase in crime is pushing Tennessee higher on the danger list.
Arkansas Drops Slightly But Still Has a Crime Problem
Arkansas takes fifth place this year. It has a violent crime rate of 620 per 100,000. The property crime rate is 2,229 per 100,000. Last year, Arkansas ranked fourth, so there is some slight improvement. Still, the numbers remain high. Much of the crime happens in small towns and cities where police resources are limited. Arkansas also has high poverty rates, which can increase crime. So while the ranking improved by one spot, residents still deal with serious safety issues every day.
Top 10 Most Dangerous States in the U.S.
- New Mexico
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Alaska
- Washington
- California
- Nevada
- South Carolina
Safest States Offer Peace and Natural Beauty
Not all states face these problems. In fact, the safest states are also known for their beautiful scenery and calm lifestyle. New Hampshire ranked as the safest state in America. Maine came in second, and Idaho placed third. These states have low crime, clean environments, and strong communities. Many people move there for peace and quiet. If you’re looking for safety along with nature, these states are worth considering.
