The most dangerous cities in the US in 2025, based on violent crime rates per 100,000 residents including homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, are:
- Memphis, Tennessee - Highest violent crime rate with a rate of around 2,501 per 100,000 residents. It leads in homicides and aggravated assaults.
- Detroit, Michigan - Violent crime rate around 1,781 per 100,000 residents, with a very high homicide rate.
- Baltimore, Maryland - Violent crime rate about 1,606 per 100,000 residents, also a city with a high number of violent crimes.
- Houston, Texas - Violent crime rate about 1,148 per 100,000 residents.
- Nashville, Tennessee - Violent crime rate approximately 1,124 per 100,000 residents.
- St. Louis, Missouri - Known for a violent crime rate around 1,860 per 100,000 residents, historically among the highest.
- Chicago, Illinois - Though often cited as highly dangerous, ranks lower (29th among large cities) with a violent crime rate lower than the cities above.
- Washington, D.C. - Higher violent crime rates than the national average.
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Also above the national average in violent crime.
- Denver, Colorado - Violent crime near 993 per 100,000 residents.
Memphis tops the list with rates nearly six times the national average, followed by Detroit, Baltimore, and other cities with persistent crime challenges related to aggravated assault, homicide, and gun violence. These rankings reflect FBI data from 2024-2025 and highlight ongoing crime issues in several major US cities.
