17 Least Safe Cities to Visit in the United States

Visiting different cities in the U.S. is a great way to get to know this vast country better. But not every city in the U.S. is safe to be in. In this article, you’ll find a list of 17 cities that are not safe for visitors.

St. Louis, Missouri

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According to Forbes, St. Louis, Missouri, was ranked the most dangerous city in the United States last year. The risk of crime in this city is almost five times higher than the national average, and it has a crime risk index of 530. The north part of the city is the most dangerous of all.

Birmingham, Alabama

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Birmingham, Alabama, is another very dangerous U.S. city. Statistics from CBS 42 say that the violent crime rate in the city is 1,682 per 100,000 residents. Citizens of the city are more likely to become victims of murder and assault there than they are in other U.S. cities.

Atlanta, Georgia

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The crime rate in Atlanta, Georgia, is also alarming. The people who live in this city have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming victims of violent or property crime. The risk of crime in this area is almost five times the national average, says US News.

Orlando, Florida

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Now, not as dangerous as the previously mentioned cities, but still a city where you have to exercise great caution is Orlando, Florida. In Orlando, the crime rate is nearly four times the national average. Each day, law enforcement must respond to 7.12 violent crimes.

Baltimore, Maryland

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US News states that the crime index in Baltimore, Maryland, is higher than the national average. The number of juveniles involved in shootings in the city has risen since 2022. The greater Baltimore area is a place where residents must be especially safety conscious.

Memphis, Tennessee

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According to US News, Memphis, Tennessee, has a crime risk index of 361. The risk of residents falling victim to violent and property crime in this area is concerning. Statistics say that the chance of being affected by violent crime here is 1 in 41.

Detroit, Michigan

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Detroit, Michigan, has a reputation for being a deadly city. In fact, it’s number 4 among the most deadly cities in the U.S. Some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Detroit are Belmont, Brush Park, and Greensbriar. Travelers visiting these neighborhoods must exercise more caution.

Cleveland, Ohio

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Some parts of Cleveland, Ohio, are more dangerous than others. The Property Club says that the most dangerous neighborhoods are Saint Claire-Superior in downtown Cleveland, followed by Industrial Valley and North Broadway. One type of crime that’s on the increase in Cleveland is burglary.

New Orleans, Louisiana

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Another particularly dangerous city to visit in the U.S. is New Orleans, Louisiana. Visitors must be especially careful when traveling through or to Pines Village, New Orleans, where there are a lot of gangs and shootings are very common. West Lake Forest is another area that you must be cautious in.

Shreveport, Louisiana

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Yet another city in Louisiana that’s very dangerous is Shreveport. In this city, 1 in 26 residents is at risk each day of becoming a victim of property crime. This is especially true in Allendale-Lakeside and Freestate, North Highlands, the most dangerous parts of the city.

Miami, Florida

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Although this is a popular tourist location, visitors to Miami, Florida, have to be very careful. Especially in the greater Miami metropolitan area, the violent crime rate is very high. When touring the area, visitors must look out for dangers such as pickpocketing and purse-snatching.

Little Rock, Arkansas

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Little Rock, Arkansas, is a U.S. city that’s well known for gun violence. Even in suburban areas, it’s very common to hear news of break-ins, auto theft, and other crimes. Visitors must exercise caution when visiting neighborhoods such as Stephens, Briarwood, and Boyle Park.

Oakland, California

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Oakland, California, is one of the most dangerous cities in the state of California. Although people visit Oakland all the time, they must be careful when traveling through or to the particularly dangerous areas of Eastmont, Fitchburg, Hawthorne, and Webster, where violent and property crimes are more common.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

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The rate of being a victim of violent crime in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is 1 in 80. But the chances of being affected by property crime were just 1 in 19 in 2021. It’s often recommended that visitors to this city take the proper precautions to avoid danger.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a city in the U.S. that has a reputation for being a deadly city. More homicides take place in this city than the national average, and this is an extreme concern for law enforcement. The rate of robbery in the city is also higher than the national average.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is another U.S. city that visitors must be careful when traveling to. The most common crimes in this city are theft and burglary, followed by auto theft. It’s often recommended that travelers take special care of their belongings when in this city.

Kansas City, Missouri

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We’re going back to the state of Missouri, but this time to Kansas City. Kansas City is a dangerous city in the U.S. that has seen an increase in homicides every year since 2019. Visitors must be very careful when traveling to neighborhoods such as South Blue Valley and Marlborough East.

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