Danger can come in many forms—from eating undercooked chicken to riding your bike at night with no lights on. But what makes a certain area more dangerous than others? It’s not just about the crime rate. There are a number of factors that are just as important to consider, from dangerous drivers to natural disasters. That's where we at Best Life come in, setting out to look at the 50 most populous metropolises and determine the most dangerous city in America.
First, we used U.S. Census Bureau data to make a list of the 50 largest cities and their populations, based on the 2019 estimate. (Results of the 2020 census aren’t out yet.) The first metric was the rate of violent crime per capita*, as recorded by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Next, we investigated how many pedestrians have been killed in traffic accidents using data from Smart Growth America's most recent research report.
Danger can also come from non-human factors, so we used ATTOM’s most recent natural disaster index, which measures the likelihood of earthquakes, floods, hail, hurricane storm surges, tornadoes, and wildfires—the higher the score, the greater the risk.
We also factored in how safe each city felt to the people who live there or visit using data collected by Numbeo to gauge the perceived safety of walking alone at night in each city—the higher the score, the safer people felt.
Finally, we decided to measure pandemic fatalities, using US News & World Report’s COVID deaths per capita tracker. (The stated fatality figures are accurate as of Feb. 6, 2021).
Each of these metrics were then assigned a weighted value before being run through our exclusive algorithm to see how each city scored on our 100-point scale Danger Index, where 100 is the most dangerous. Read on to discover the most dangerous city in America and to see where the one closest to you falls in the mix. And for trouble on a larger level, This Is the Most Dangerous State in America.
*Per capita refers to per 100,000 people in all instances.
50 | Virginia Beach, Virginia
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 129.12
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.24
Natural disaster risk: 14.30
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 66.67
COVID deaths per capita: 50.00
Danger Index Score: 0.00
49 | Raleigh, North Carolina
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 257.77
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.37
Natural disaster risk: 17.10
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 64.52
COVID deaths per capita: 44.60
Danger Index Score: 6.07
48 | Columbus, Ohio
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 507.59
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.13
Natural disaster risk: 13.50
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 50.00
COVID deaths per capita: 54.10
Danger Index Score: 17.17
47 | Austin, Texas
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 403.82
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.56
Natural disaster risk: 25.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 54.88
COVID deaths per capita: 60.10
Danger Index Score: 23.33
And for the part of the country that has the biggest problem with acceptance, This Is the Most Hateful State in America.
46 | Portland, Oregon
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 550.75
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.22
Natural disaster risk: 20.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 46.34
COVID deaths per capita: 59.20
Danger Index Score: 24.99
45 | Colorado Springs, Colorado
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 586.76
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.22
Natural disaster risk: 20.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 52.44
COVID deaths per capita: 99.40
Danger Index Score: 29.51
44 | Charlotte, North Carolina
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 788.30
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.510
Natural disaster risk: 14.50
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 51.25
COVID deaths per capita: 71.00
Danger Index Score: 30.53
43 | Omaha, Nebraska
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 602.90
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 0.65
Natural disaster risk: 32.20
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 45.29
COVID deaths per capita: 103.10
Danger Index Score: 30.80
42 | Boston, Massachusetts
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 612.76
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 0.98
Natural disaster risk: 12.30
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 12.30
COVID deaths per capita: 196.70
Danger Index Score: 33.20
41 | Seattle, Washington
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 593.23
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 0.98
Natural disaster risk: 46.4
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 45.29
COVID deaths per capita: 56.7
Danger Index Score: 33.60
40 | San Francisco, California
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 673.02
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.44
Natural disaster risk: 38.9
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 38.94
COVID deaths per capita: 39.1
Danger Index Score: 39.56
And for the place where people need to chill out a little more, This Is the Angriest State in America.
39 | Mesa, Arizona
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 377.02
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.95
Natural disaster risk: 5.10
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 50.00
COVID deaths per capita: 176.90
Danger Index Score: 41.49
38 | San Diego, California
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 673.02
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.44
Natural disaster risk: 58.80
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 57.62
COVID deaths per capita: 107.80
Danger Index Score: 42.33
37 | Fort Worth, Texas
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 447.24
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.49
Natural disaster risk: 49.50
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 48.68
COVID deaths per capita: 107.80
Danger Index Score: 44.61
36 | San Jose, California
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 446.18
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.45
Natural disaster risk: 65.0
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 49.26
COVID deaths per capita: 79.00
Danger Index Score: 45.40
35 | Sacramento, California
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 627.50
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.81
Natural disaster risk: 30.30
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 41.05
COVID deaths per capita: 83.90
Danger Index Score: 45.89
34 | Arlington, Texas
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 515.23
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.49
Natural disaster risk: 49.50
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 47.22
COVID deaths per capita: 107.80
Danger Index Score: 46.96
33 | Minneapolis, Minnesota
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 928.76
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 0.68
Natural disaster risk: 38.90
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 39.12
COVID deaths per capita: 122.30
Danger Index Score: 47.86
32 | Denver, Colorado
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 750.68
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.28
Natural disaster risk: 55.60
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 49.46
COVID deaths per capita: 102.00
Danger Index Score: 49.29
31 | New York, New York
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 573.61
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.60
Natural disaster risk: 13.20
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 51.43
COVID deaths per capita: 224.10
Danger Index Score: 50.83
30 | Washington, D.C.
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 977.12
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.27
Natural disaster risk: 20.10
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 38.65
COVID deaths per capita: 134.20
Danger Index Score: 51.38
29 | San Antonio, Texas
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 713.91
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.23
Natural disaster risk: 18.10
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 46.67
COVID deaths per capita: 125.20
Danger Index Score: 51.50
28 | El Paso, Texas
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 355.27
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.07
Natural disaster risk: 17.50
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 62.98
COVID deaths per capita: 259.90
Danger Index Score: 52.79
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27 | Tucson, Arizona
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 688.78
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.98
Natural disaster risk: 8.40
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 45.90
COVID deaths per capita: 181.60
Danger Index Score: 53.10
26 | Nashville, Tennessee
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 1,099.55
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.29
Natural disaster risk: 36.40
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 39.42
COVID deaths per capita: 114.10
Danger Index Score: 53.16
25 | Dallas, Texas
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 875.58
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.49
Natural disaster risk: 32.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 39.42
COVID deaths per capita: 114.10
Danger Index Score: 53.33
24 | Atlanta, Georgia
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 784.91
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.79
Natural disaster risk: 19.30
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 19.30
COVID deaths per capita: 88.70
Danger Index Score: 53.54
23 | Louisville, Kentucky
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 751.25
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.77
Natural disaster risk: 34.30
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 35.53
COVID deaths per capita: 94.80
Danger Index Score: 54.73
22 | Phoenix, Arizona
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 702.14
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.95
Natural disaster risk: 5.10
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 38.58
COVID deaths per capita: 176.90
Danger Index Score: 55.43
21 | Tulsa, Oklahoma
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 988.06
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.52
Natural disaster risk: 38.50
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 36.76
COVID deaths per capita: 94.90
Danger Index Score: 57.34
20 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 1,334.22
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.13
Natural disaster risk: 0.40
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 22.65
COVID deaths per capita: 124.80
Danger Index Score: 57.49
19 | Tampa, Florida
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 405.80
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 3.07
Natural disaster risk: 24.90
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 39.44
COVID deaths per capita: 24.90
Danger Index Score: 58.17
18 | Chicago, Illinois
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 947.74
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.07
Natural disaster risk: 17.20
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 26.34
COVID deaths per capita: 174.70
Danger Index Score: 60.93
17 | Las Vegas, Nevada
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 604.62
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.19
Natural disaster risk: 25.90
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 38.45
COVID deaths per capita: 151.30
Danger Index Score: 61.02
16 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 910.32
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.73
Natural disaster risk: 7.40
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 32.45
COVID deaths per capita: 187.10
Danger Index Score: 63.22
15 | Fresno, California
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 555.52
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.17
Natural disaster risk: 32.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 24.24
COVID deaths per capita: 122.50
Danger Index Score: 66.40
14 | Kansas City, Missouri
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 1,433.19
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.13
Natural disaster risk: 38.40
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 31.62
COVID deaths per capita: 111.50
Danger Index Score: 67.30
13 | Houston, Texas
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 1,088.54
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.82
Natural disaster risk: 31.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 25.09
COVID deaths per capita: 95.20
Danger Index Score: 67.73
12 | Jacksonville, Florida
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 645.74
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.94
Natural disaster risk: 16.60
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 25.00
COVID deaths per capita: 99.60
Danger Index Score: 68.31
11 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 725.28
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.66
Natural disaster risk: 101.90
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 44.05
COVID deaths per capita: 76.60
Danger Index Score: 71.89
10 | Los Angeles, California
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 738.77
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.91
Natural disaster risk: 59.60
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 47.34
COVID deaths per capita: 176.90
Danger Index Score: 72.30
9 | Long Beach, California
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 512.07
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.91
Natural disaster risk: 59.60
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 38.79
COVID deaths per capita: 176.90
Danger Index Score: 72.78
8 | Oakland, California
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 1,274.74
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.44
Natural disaster risk: 59.90
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 24.07
COVID deaths per capita: 61.60
Danger Index Score: 73.56
7 | New Orleans, Louisiana
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 1,157.52
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.06
Natural disaster risk: 9.20
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 26.70
COVID deaths per capita: 189.4
Danger Index Score: 77.53
6 | Miami, Florida
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 609.02
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.61
Natural disaster risk: 44.60
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 40.26
COVID deaths per capita: 183.30
Danger Index Score: 78.27
5 | Indianapolis, Indiana
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 1,274.56
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.37
Natural disaster risk: 45.10
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 31.72
COVID deaths per capita: 169.20
Danger Index Score: 78.96
4 | Albuquerque, New Mexico
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 1,355.19
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.35
Natural disaster risk: 21.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 22.84
COVID deaths per capita: 116.00
Danger Index Score: 81.13
3 | Baltimore, Maryland
iStockViolent crimes per capita: 1,870.46
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.78
Natural disaster risk: 16.70
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 18.03
COVID deaths per capita: 139.90
Danger Index Score: 89.42
2 | Memphis, Tennessee
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 1,899.48
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 2.21
Natural disaster risk: 20.30
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 17.74
COVID deaths per capita: 144.70
Danger Index Score: 98.20
1 | Detroit, Michigan
ShutterstockViolent crimes per capita: 1,946.18
Pedestrian deaths per capita: 1.76
Natural disaster risk: 12.00
Perceived safety walking alone at night: 23.36
COVID deaths per capita: 231.0
Danger Index Score: 100.0
And for the place where ethics don't seem to be much of a priority, This Is the Most Corrupt State in America.
