The 5 Most Dangerous Cities In America To Be Aware Of In 2025

Even if you've spent your entire life living in the United States, it's almost impossible to run out of new places to explore. For first-time visitors, the sheer size of the expansive nation can seem daunting. Each of the 50 states that make up the country has its own special highlights. Massive mountain ranges, beautiful beaches, thick forests, historic landmarks, rugged deserts, and charming small towns are just a few of the many things travelers can look forward to when traveling around the USA. Of course, no trip would be complete without visiting some of the country's iconic cities.

Growing up in the United States, I always got the impression that it was one of the safest countries in the world — perhaps due to the prevalence of American nationalism. The truth is that the United States isn't even close to topping the list of the world's safest countries. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, the U.S. ranked 132 out of 163 countries analyzed for safety. It came in just above Iran. Gun violence and mass shootings are disturbingly common. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 503 mass shootings and over 16,700 gun-related deaths in 2024. In 2025, several countries have issued travel advisories for the United States.

Some cities within the U.S. are ranked among the world's most dangerous, and we pulled information from news articles and crime statistics to formulate our list. Whenever you travel it's important to understand that violent crime can happen anywhere. If you're dreaming of an epic road trip around the United States, you shouldn't feel discouraged — millions of people travel around the country each year without incident. That being said, it's a good idea to use common sense and increased caution when exploring these major cities.

Memphis, Tennessee often tops lists of the best places to visit in the USA, but is also frequently ranked among the most dangerous cities with high rates of violent crime. Gang-related violence, drugs, and economic challenges are some of the ongoing issues the city hopes to overcome.

Perched above the massive Mississippi River, Memphis was at the center of several historical events. It was an important site during the Civil War, and Confederates had a stronghold there until Union forces took over in 1862. Then, one racially-targeted attack in 1866 pushed Congress to pass the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted citizenship to formerly enslaved people and promised equal rights and protections under the law to anyone born in the United States. And in more recent memory, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis in 1968.

Despite challenges that the African American people faced in Memphis, they still managed to make it one of America's coolest cities. It's considered one of the birthplaces of blues and rock music. The National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street, the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum, and Sun Studio are a few other popular tourist attractions. And Graceland — the former home of Elvis Presley — should be on any music lover's travel bucket list. South Memphis, Orange Mound, Frayser, and Hickory Hill have a reputation for frequent crime, and are best to avoid during your visit. Even the downtown area can be dangerous, so always remain aware of your surroundings, keep valuables hidden, and avoid walking alone at night.

Oakland, California sits across the San Francisco Bay from one of America's wealthiest cities. In San Francisco, the median household income is over $140,000, but in Oakland it's around $99,000. Meanwhile, the average monthly rent is over $2,000 for a one bedroom apartment. Poverty is one of the factors contributing to rising crime rates. The cost of living in California continues to rise and housing costs are astronomical. Some people are struggling to afford basic amenities. Throughout history, when people are desperate to meet their basic needs, crime tends to rise. In Oakland one in 28 people stand the chance of falling victim to a violent crime, compared to one in 197 people in California.

Oakland may have a high crime rate, but the city still thrives when it comes to arts, culture, and community. There are miles of coastline to explore nearby, and it's an incredible destination for foodies. It's not as touristy as San Francisco, but travel experts have taken notice. It's one of Samantha Brown's favorite destinations in California, and was recently named the culinary capital of America according to Condé Nast Traveler Reader's Choice Awards.

Besides sampling the city's gastronomy, make sure you explore some of the culturally rich neighborhoods. If you can, try to visit during one of the many festivals and celebrations like The Black Joy Parade, PrideFest, Oakland Style, or the Dia de los Muertos Festival. According to Oakland's official tourism website, you should maintain awareness of your surroundings throughout your visit and travel in groups. If you're walking alone at night, stick to busy, well lit streets. Park your car in a secure garage as opposed to the street and don't leave valuables in your vehicle.

According to Neighborhood Scout data, you have a one in 70 chance of falling victim to a violent crime in St. Louis compared to a one in 218 throughout the rest of the state. That being said, things are improving according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police. The website states that 2024 saw the lowest number of homicides in 11 years. Gun violence is one of the major problems, and law enforcement hopes to address the issues through monitoring and community engagement — especially with the city's youth.

The city's tourism bureau, Explore St. Louis, assures tourists that the city is a safe place to visit overall, and highlights that crime has decreased 50% over the past decade. Most crime occurs in particular neighborhoods, and new initiatives are underway to reduce it, from more street lighting to license plate-recognizing cameras to deter dangerous driving. Still, it's a good idea to maintain situational awareness during your visit no matter where you go. St. Louis is full of fun, budget-friendly things to do on your trip.

Baltimore, Maryland is an East Coast city located under an hour from the nation's capital — Washington, D.C. Often topping lists of the most dangerous cities in the country, it's also becoming a popular tourist destination. The New York Times ranked it among the top 52 places to visit around the world in 2024. Founded in 1729, Baltimore grew to be an important port due to shipbuilding and global trade. Over the years it has faced many challenges, including a devastating fire that destroyed much of the downtown area in the early 1900s. Like many post-industrial cities in the Rust Belt, Baltimore struggles with poverty. The population declined, and so did property values.

According to a report published by the Baltimore Hunger Project, some neighborhoods with a predominantly White population are seeing income growth, while many Black neighborhoods have seen home values continue to decline since 2000. Baltimore grapples with social and economic challenges, including racial segregation, underfunded public schools, and several single-parent households. These issues limit residents' upward mobility and access to opportunity, and have likely contributed to the city's dangerous reputation. In 2024, Baltimore was named the deadliest city in the country based on a study analyzing FBI crime reports. Baltimore is often referred to as "Charm City" but due to the high rate of violent crimes it has been given the unflattering nickname "Bodymore."

Detroit is located in the upper midwestern part of the United States. The state of Michigan is bordered by four of the five Great Lakes and known for its adorable beach towns and rugged natural beauty. It's a popular place for tourists to visit, but Detroit's crime rates have given it somewhat of a bad reputation. Detroit was once among the wealthiest and most populated cities in the world. Its economy thrived due to the automobile industry — Henry Ford built his first car there and it became a major hub for car manufacturing. However, racism and police brutality contributed to the city's decline.

In the 1960s there were five days of riots in which members of Detroit's African American community clashed with police that resulted in multiple deaths. The conflict erupted after police raided a party honoring veterans during a time when police brutality and racial profiling was common. Thousands of buildings were burnt to the ground, and soon manufacturing plants began to move out of town. As more people lost their jobs and had to move elsewhere to find work, the city's population plummeted. There weren't enough tax dollars to fund critical public safety programs and violent crimes continued to increase.

Although Detroit is still considered one of the most dangerous cities in the country, things are improving quickly. In 2024, Detroit had its lowest number of homicides in over 50 years. Now, it's becoming a popular vacation spot known for culture. Explore fascinating museums, stay in gorgeous hotels, and indulge in some of the best food in Michigan during your stay — just make sure to use caution and common sense during your visit. The West Side neighborhood has a particularly bad reputation, but is easy to avoid when exploring the more touristed areas of the city.

To formulate our list of the most dangerous cities in the United States we pulled information from articles published by news outlets, historical records, tourism websites, and crime records. We chose to only include cities with populations of 250,000 people or more. We considered factors like homicide rates and violent crimes. It's important to keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and that sometimes crime statistics do not paint an accurate picture of overall safety in a city. Crime is often isolated to specific neighborhoods while the rest of the city remains safe to explore. Before you visit any new destination, it's important to do some research to ensure your safety. If you have questions, you can always reach out to a local tourism agency for more information.