Marisa Bolivar
Do you feel safe enough to walk to a convenience store at night? If you do, consider yourself lucky. For many residents in the most dangerous areas in the United States, such a simple task can be risky.
If you’re considering moving to a safer area and want to know which places to avoid, we’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous states in America based on various safety threats.
1. Louisiana
Louisiana ranks as America’s most dangerous state, according to Wallethub’s study. With the lowest Global Peace Index (GPI) of 31.64 among all 50 states. It also ranks 47th in financial safety and 49th in emergency preparedness.
Going out at night is particularly risky, as Louisiana has the highest homicide rate in the country, with 14.4 murders per 100,000 people. Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport have violent crime rates that exceed the national average, making these cities concerning for residents and potential movers alike.
2. Mississippi
Mississippi is the second most dangerous state in America, with a GPI of 34.46. It ranks lowest in emergency preparedness and road safety nationwide and second to last in financial safety.
The state’s high unemployment rate of 6.4% weakens its economic stability, marking one of the highest rates in the country.
3. Arkansas
Arkansas has a Global Peace Index of 37.05, the third lowest among all 50 states of America. With a high crime rate of 672.7 per hundred thousand population, the state recorded 15,542 violent crimes in 2022 alone, which equates to 8.6 murders per 100,000 people.
In Arkansas, there’s a 1 in 148 chance of an individual becoming a victim of violent crime and a 1 in 38 chance of falling prey to theft.
4. Texas
With a GPI score of 34.78, Texas is the fourth most dangerous state in the United States. It sits at 43rd out of 50 states regarding personal and residential safety. These statistics are not enticing if you’re considering relocation.
Texas, one of the fastest-growing states in the country, currently has a population of 30 million, with a growth rate of 4.7%. Despite its large population, it also has the highest number of uninsured people, with 18.4% lacking health insurance.
5. Alabama
Alabama has a Global Peace Index of 37.68, which secures its position as the fifth most dangerous state in America. Despite its popular beaches, Alabama falls short in terms of emergency preparedness.
Safety remains a major concern in the state, evident from its high crime rates. The overall crime rate stands at 3,185 per 100,000 people, with a homicide rate of 8.3 per 100,000 people.
6. Oklahoma
Oklahoma registers a GPI of 39.34, labeling it as one of the most dangerous states in the United States. It demonstrates poor workplace and financial safety performance, ranking 47th and 45th, respectively.
Oklahoma has one of the highest overall crime rates in the country, standing at 419.7 per 100,000 people, 74% higher than the country’s national average. Its property crime rate is 57% higher than the national average, while its violent crime rate is alarmingly 151% higher.
7. Florida
Florida, with a Global Peace Index of 39.52, may be considered one of the most dangerous places in America. It ranks among the lowest in both road safety and workplace safety.
Additionally, Florida has a high unemployment rate, recorded at 6.4%. This could be one of the factors contributing to a significant percentage (13.2%) of the state’s population being uninsured.
8. Missouri
Missouri has a GPI of 40.25 and earns the title of one of the most dangerous states in the country. With a high crime rate, the state records 723 murders and 543 violent crimes per 100,000 people. St. Louis, a city in the state, has a crime rate of a daunting 234% higher than the national average.
Furthermore, Missouri faces challenges in emergency preparedness and personal and residential safety, reflecting its low rankings in these areas. Moreover, 10% of the state’s population is uninsured.
9. South Carolina
South Carolina, with a Global Peace Index of 41.03, is recognized as one of the most dangerous states in America. Its crime rate is higher than the national average, at 5.4 incidents per 1,000 people.
The national average murder rate falls at .07 per 1,000 people, while South Carolina’s rate escalates to 0.11 per 1,000 people. Notably, the state recorded approximately 22,000 robbery cases in 2020 alone.
10. Tennessee
With a GPI of 41.34, Tennessee is recognized as one of the most dangerous American states. It has earned the reputation of being one of the most violent states, with cities like Memphis and Nashville contributing significantly to its high crime rate.
Personal theft and burglary are among the major issues increasing the number of crimes, with Tennessee ranking last in the country in terms of personal and residential safety.
11. Montana
Montana, with a GPI of 38.93, shows poor workplace safety and personal and residential safety. Its crime rate exceeds the national average by 21%, considering violent crimes like weapon-related deaths.
Despite these issues, Montana is the “Treasure State” and ranks high in financial safety.
12. Kansas
Kansas, with a Global Peace Index of 42.91, is deemed unsafe compared to other American states. It’s known for its stunning sunflower fields, but it hides the dark truth of high crime rates.
The state has high rates of both violent crimes and property, including burglary and theft. Despite its peaceful and innocent aesthetic, risks lurk in the shadows of Kansas.
13. South Dakota
With a Global Peace Index of 43.38, South Dakota is another dangerous American state. Its violent crime rate stands at 501 per 100,000 individuals. It means that you can expect at least 1 victim of a violent crime for every 198 people.
South Dakota also experiences high rates of assaults and murders. Moreover, it records a significant number of drunk driving incidents that result in fatalities and arrests.
14. Colorado
Colorado, with a GPI of 43.81, reports a violent crime rate of 586 per 100,000 individuals, an increase of 12.1 compared to 2021. In 2022, the state experienced 24,019 violent crime incidents, which positions it as one of the most violent states.
Additionally, Colorado ranks as the 4th highest among the 50 states regarding property crime rates. Caution is advised for residents of Aurora and Denver, as the violent crime rate in these areas exceeds the U.S. average by 180%.
15. Ohio
Ohio, known as the “Buckeye State,” has a Global Peace Index of 45.14, with an overall crime rate surpassing the national average by 36%. Its high-crime reputation primarily stems from its high rate of property offenses.
Interestingly, despite this reputation, Ohio’s violent crime rate is actually lower than the national average. This indicates that you should be more cautious about break-ins and stolen belongings in Ohio.
16. Georgia
Georgia has a GPI of 45.27, which places it in the lower half of the safest American states. It has a violent crime rate of 326.6 incidents per 100,000 people.
Georgia’s strong economy draws people with hidden motives to take advantage of others. To steer clear of such incidents, avoid major cities like East Point.
17. Nebraska
Nebraska has a GPI of 46.58 and a violent crime rate of 284.8 per 100,000 people. The state has one of the highest assault rates in the country.
If you’re determined to visit Nebraska, steer clear of Omaha, its most dangerous city. Though the violent crime rate is lower than the national average, caution is still advised.
18. West Virginia
West Virginia, with a Global Peace Index of 47.08, holds the highest accidental death rate per 100,000 people. This factor elevates its position on the list of the most dangerous places in the United States.
With a population of approximately 1.8 million, the state recorded 2,724 accidental deaths in 2021. From road accidents to unintended poisonings, accidental deaths are at an all-time high in West Virginia.
Nostalgic Journey: Chicago to Pontiac on Historic Route 66’s First 100 Miles
When we think of the glory of mid-century America, we often think of historic Route 66. The original route was 2,448 miles (3,940 Kilometers) from downtown Chicago, IL to the Santa Monica Pier in California. It is a road trip everyone should take – at least a portion of it is accessible to all.
If you want to take a nostalgic journey, consider the First Hundred Miles of historic Route 66 from Chicago to Pontiac, Illinois. It is an easy drive and doable in a few days.
20 Things to Do in New York City You Can’t Find Anywhere Else
The city that never sleeps has plenty to do for anyone interested. Want to watch a specific sports team? There’s a bar for that. Delicious, hot, dripping, melt-in-your-mouth pizza at 2 am? Always available. Street food that deserves a Michelin star? New York City has it.
If you have or haven’t been, these are the best things to do in New York City that simply can’t be missed.
MSN Writer, Radical FIRE
Expertise: Entertainment, Travel, Interior Design, and Personal Improvement Niches
Education: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Major in Development Tourism Management at Ateneo de Naga University
Experience: Marisa Bolivar is a content writer with 10 years of experience in creating blogs and articles across different industries on the web. She has explored many niches in her years working as a content specialist with her favorite zeroing on entertainment, from books to movies and TV shows. Marisa is also a bookworm, who has a fondness for personal improvement and philosophical authors like Paulo Coelho and Mitch Albom.