The Safest and Most Dangerous States: 2026 Crime Statistics

Violent Crime in the U.S.

National Violent Crime Trends

The FBI defines violent crime as offenses involving force or the threat of force: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Nationally, the violent crime rate fell 9.7 percent in 2025 compared with 2024, and all four offense categories declined. According to the report, murder fell 19.6 percent, robbery fell 19 percent, rape fell 7.9 percent, and aggravated assault fell 7.6 percent.

The one-year drop was broad, but the longer view is more mixed. Robbery has fallen 54.6 percent since 2013, and 2025's murder, rape, and robbery rates were each the lowest of the entire 13-year period shown above. Aggravated assault rates follow a slightly different pattern: despite the latest decline, it remains 3.9 percent higher than it was in 2013, meaning the most common form of violent crime hasn't decreased as killings, robberies, and reported rapes have.

The scale of the murder decline echoes what's showing up in city-level data nationwide. In New Orleans, long one of the country's most violent cities, the police department recorded roughly 100 murders in 2025, one of the lowest rates in the city since the 1960s. Analysts tracking city-level data nationally said 2025 was on pace to produce the lowest U.S. murder rate in more than a century, a milestone several state agencies (including Connecticut's) cited directly in their own year-end reports.

States With the Highest and Lowest Violent Crime Rates

Which states had the highest and lowest violent crime rates in 2025? Alaska, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee had the five highest violent crime rates among U.S. states in 2025, while Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Wyoming had the five lowest, according to FBI data.

States with highest and lowest violent crime rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. violent crime rate: 327.6 per 100,000 residents.

Alaska's violent crime rate was more than double the national rate in 2025, and nearly eight times higher than Maine's, the lowest in the country. Four of the five lowest-rate states were in New England. Tennessee remained among the five highest-rate states nationally despite posting a 16.9 percent decline for the year, one of the largest improvements of any state in the top five. The steepest reductions nationwide occurred in Connecticut, Indiana, and Tennessee, while Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Kansas recorded the largest increases.

Alaska's top spot on this list isn't new. Researchers point to structural causes rather than a single event: the state's Department of Public Safety has noted that Alaska State Troopers, the primary law enforcement agency across most of rural Alaska, had a 13 percent vacancy rate in late 2025. Alaska's 2025 crime report also revealed that statewide offenses rose 7.2 percent year over year.

Tennessee remained among the five most violent states despite posting one of the nation’s largest annual improvements. Memphis has long been the state’s biggest driver of violent crime and became a focus of national attention in 2025. In September, President Trump established the Memphis Safe Task Force through a presidential memorandum. The initiative brought together the Tennessee National Guard, FBI, ATF, and numerous other agencies. By November, federal officials were reporting sharp declines in the city’s murder and sexual assault counts.

In line with a nationwide trend, Connecticut had some of the nation’s lowest violent crime rates in 2025. The state recorded 70 murders in 2025, down from 162 in 2021.

Murder Rates by State

Which state had the highest murder rate in 2025? Louisiana had the highest murder rate of any U.S. state in 2025, at 8.7 per 100,000 residents. This is about 112% higher than the national rate of 4.1. Hawaii and New Hampshire tied for the lowest murder rate, at 1.2 per 100,000 residents each.

States with highest and lowest murder rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5.  U.S. violent crime rate: 4.1 per 100,000 residents.

The national murder rate fell 19.6 percent in 2025, to 4.1 per 100,000 residents. Louisiana's statewide murder rate remained the nation's highest even as its biggest city posted one of the most dramatic turnarounds of any large city in the country. New Orleans ended 2025 with roughly 100 homicides, down more than 55 percent from 2022 and among the city's lowest totals since 1970. Police credited this decline partly to a new state police patrol partnership.

Rape Rates by State

Which state had the highest rape rate in 2025? Alaska had the highest rape rate of any U.S. state in 2025, at 118.8 per 100,000 residents. This is more than three times the national rate of 36.1. Connecticut had the lowest, at 15.4 per 100,000 residents.

States with highest and lowest rape rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. rape rate: 36.1 per 100,000 residents.

The national rape rate fell 7.9 percent year-over-year but is only 1.1 percent lower than it was in 2013, essentially flat over the full period even after the latest decline. Alaska's rate was more than three times the national figure, a pattern researchers have long linked to the state's low population density and stretched law enforcement resources. New York recorded the largest annual increase, up 22.6 percent, though its rate remained below the national average. Wyoming, Virginia, and Connecticut posted the largest reductions.

Aggravated Assault Rates by State

Which state had the highest aggravated assault rate in 2025? Alaska had the highest aggravated assault rate of any U.S. state in 2025, at 520.6 per 100,000 residents, about 119% above the national rate of 238.0. Maine had the lowest, at 53.2 per 100,000 residents. The FBI defines aggravated assault as an attack by one person upon another with the intention of inflicting severe bodily injury. Often, weapons are used in aggravated assaults.

States with highest and lowest aggravated assault rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. aggravated assault rate: 238.0 per 100,000 residents.

Aggravated assault accounted for nearly three-quarters of the national violent crime rate in 2025. The national rate fell 7.6 percent, and rates declined in 41 states, but the offense remains 3.9 percent above its 2013 level. Connecticut, Indiana, and Tennessee posted the largest reductions; New Hampshire, Mississippi, and Kansas posted the largest increases.

New Mexico's high assault rate was driven in large part by Albuquerque, the state's largest city. In April 2025, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency. She deployed New Mexico National Guard troops to Albuquerque after the police chief cited a fentanyl epidemic and rising violent juvenile crime, even though the department's own numbers showed aggravated assaults had already fallen 11 percent the year before.

Robbery Rates by State

Which state had the highest robbery rate in 2025? California had the highest robbery rate of any U.S. state in 2025, at 94.9 per 100,000 residents, which is about 92% above the national rate of 49.4. Idaho had the lowest, at 5.6 per 100,000 residents. Robbery differs from theft in that it involves force, the threat of force, or fear to take items belonging to someone else.

States with highest and lowest robbery rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. robbery rate: 49.4 per 100,000 residents.

The national robbery rate fell 19 percent in 2025 and has fallen 54.6 percent since 2013, the steepest long-term decline of any violent crime category. California's rate was about 92 percent above the national figure, while Idaho's was about 89 percent below it. Illinois, North Dakota, and Maryland posted the largest annual reductions; Wyoming and Mississippi posted the largest increases.

California's robbery rate remained the nation's highest during the first full year of Proposition 36, a ballot measure voters approved in November 2024 that allows felony charges for repeat theft offenders. This is part of a broader statewide response to years of high-profile organized retail crime. Early results were mixed: Downtown theft and robbery cases fell 23 percent in San Diego in the year after the measure passed. At the same time, researchers cautioned that some of the earlier run-up in reported retail crime may reflect expanded theft-reporting systems that California and retailers built in response to the political pressure, rather than a proportional rise in underlying offending.

Property Crime in the U.S.

National Property Crime Trends

The FBI's property crime index covers burglary, Larceny theft, and motor vehicle theft. The national property crime rate fell 12.9 percent in 2025 compared with 2024, and is now 43.7 percent below its 2013 level. Burglary has posted the largest long-term decline of any property crime category, falling 68.2 percent since 2013. Motor vehicle theft, meanwhile, fell 23 percent in 2025 alone, reversing much of the increase the country saw in the years following the pandemic.

States With the Highest and Lowest Property Crime Rates

Which states had the highest and lowest property crime rates in 2025? New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington had the five highest property crime rates among U.S. states in 2025, while Idaho, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Wisconsin had the five lowest, according to FBI data.

States with highest and lowest property crime rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. property crime rate: 1,534.8 per 100,000 residents.

New Mexico's property crime rate was about 46 percent above the national rate, while Idaho's was about 61 percent below it. Indiana, Washington, and Tennessee recorded the largest year-over-year reductions; Alaska and Utah were the only two states where property crime rates rose.

Burglary Rates by State

Which state had the highest burglary rate in 2025? New Mexico had the highest burglary rate of any U.S. state in 2025, at 404.9 per 100,000 residents, more than twice the national rate of 193.6. New Hampshire had the lowest rate, at 51.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. Burglary involves entering a property illegally with the intent to commit crimes.

States with highest and lowest burglary rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. burglary rate: 193.6 per 100,000 residents.

The national burglary rate fell 16.2 percent in 2025 and has fallen 68.2 percent since 2013. New Mexico's rate was more than twice the national figure, while New Hampshire's was about 73 percent below it.

Larceny theft Rates by State

Which state had the highest larceny theft rate in 2025? Oregon had the highest larceny theft rate of any U.S. state in 2025, at 1,655.8 per 100,000 residents, about 45% above the national rate of 1,144.1. Idaho had the lowest, at 463.5 per 100,000 residents.

States with highest and lowest larceny theft rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. larceny theft rate: 1,144.1 per 100,000 residents.

Larceny theft remains the largest single component of property crime nationally. It is a simpler crime to commit than burglary or robbery because it can be done without using force, entering a private property, or even encountering the victim face to face. For example, package theft is a very common type of larceny theft, which occurs regularly throughout the country. The national rate fell 10.2 percent in 2025, and declined in 48 states; Alaska and Utah were the only states where it rose. Oregon had the nation's highest rate; Idaho had the lowest.

Motor Vehicle Theft Rates by State

Which state had the highest motor vehicle theft rate in 2025? Nevada had the highest motor vehicle theft rate of any U.S. state in 2025, at 396.5 per 100,000 residents, or about 101% above the national rate of 197.0. Vermont had the lowest, at 47.8 per 100,000 residents.

States with highest and lowest motor vehicle theft rates

Source: FBI Crime in the United States, 2025, Table 5. U.S. motor vehicle theft rate: 197.0 per 100,000 residents.

Motor vehicle theft declined more in one year than any other offense tracked in this report, falling 23 percent in 2025. Motor vehicle theft rates dropped year over year in 49 states, and Alaska was the only state where the rate rose. Florida, Washington, Colorado, New Mexico, and Indiana recorded the largest reductions.

Nevada had the nation’s highest motor vehicle theft rate, even as its largest city had real improvement. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported roughly 6,300 vehicle thefts through early September 2025, a 14.5 percent drop from the same point in 2024. The motor vehicle theft decline began in 2023, and local police largely attribute it to automaker software updates and the distribution of free steering-wheel locks after a wave of thefts targeting older Kia and Hyundai models without factory immobilizers. Nevada's rate remains the nation's highest despite local progress, showing how a state can still lead the country in a category even as its largest city trends firmly in the right direction.

Methodology

Our data comes from the FBI's Crime in the United States report for 2025, the most recent edition available, accessed via the Bureau's Crime Data Explorer. We drew state-level violent and property crime figures from Table 5, while the 13-year national rates from 2013 through 2025 came from Table 1. All figures are expressed as rates per 100,000 residents rather than raw offense counts, and state rankings exclude the District of Columbia. Population figures are U.S. Census Bureau provisional estimates as of July 1, 2025. Limited 2025 data were available for Florida and North Dakota.

The Table 5 files were processed programmatically by identifying each state, selecting its State Total records, and extracting the appropriate population, offense counts, and published crime rates. Missing values were retained as missing rather than estimated or considered zero. Percent changes in crime were calculated for every crime category using the state-level offense counts.

The data-processing program was designed to accommodate minor structural and formatting differences among the annual source files. The program standardized state names, crime-category headings, embedded line breaks, spacing, and source-table footnotes before joining records across years. State Total records were isolated to prevent county, agency, or other geographic subtotals from being included in the state calculations.

The findings are descriptive. Differences between jurisdictions may reflect factors such as reporting practices, law-enforcement participation, population estimates, geographic boundaries, and year-to-year variation in recorded offenses.