Traveling brings joy and excitement for the participant. Exploring a new place for the first time excites a traveler, promising them unbridled joy through novel experiences. Yet, as with everything, a traveler must exercise caution whenever facing a new place (or a familiar space). Crime happens everywhere. Some cities experience higher rates than others. Have you been to any of these high-crime cities?

1. Memphis, Tennessee 

The Tennessee town boasts important monuments illustrating allegiance to rock n’ roll, the civil rights movement, and Graceland, but can the display of attractions overcome the rattling crime rate? Memphis, Tennessee, experiences a violent crime rate of 24.37 per 1000 people, with a projected future increase. 

One in ten people face a chance of becoming a victim of violent crime compared to the national average of 4 per 1000. Property crime rate dips to 73.27 per 1000 residents, comprising burglaries and car theft.  

2. Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, presents the esteemed Georgia Aquarium (whale sharks, anyone?), the Coca-Cola Museum, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which honors the late leader. The Georgian town flexed its presence in the 1966 Olympics, too, with a standing park cemented for the games. 

In any big city, economic inequality, lack of education, boredom, and opportunity all contribute to aggravated crime rates. Atlanta is no exception. The city has a total crime rate of 47.91 per 1000 people, 8.64 of which encompass violent crimes like assault and murder and 39.27 for property crimes like burglary and theft. 

3. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Nestled along Lake Michigan, we have the Wisconsin town known for craft beer, German-influenced architecture, and the delightful Harley Davidson museum. The midwestern city of Milwaukee maintains a dense population, housing over 500,000 people in its quarters. Crime rate per 1000 residents dips to 51.06, 47 below the national average, making Milwaukee safer than 2% of other U.S. cities. Not the best statistic, though not the worst. Property crime about doubles the violent crime rate, with property crime equaling 35.88 and violent crime totaling 15.18. 

4. Cleveland, Ohio

Enter an art-infused world within Cleveland, Ohio. Home to relics like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the house used in a Christmas story, the Cleveland Arts Museum, and Playhouse Square, the Ohio-based city is home to over 350,000 people. Within that population, Cleveland, Ohio, witnesses a total of 5,884 violent crimes each year, matched with a property crime total of 15,779 for a grand total of 21,663 crimes each year. Those numbers reveal a 59.91 total in crime per 1000 residents. An individual deals with a 1 in 341 chance of becoming a violent crime victim in Ohio and a 1 in 61 chance of that statistic in Cleveland. 

5. Miami, Florida

Known for lavish lights and musical expression and the gem that is little Havana, Miami brings in millions of visitors in addition to its near 500,000 residents annually. Miami showcases revolutionary staples in architecture like the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and picturesque snapshots of street art on the Wynwood Walls. 

Miami residents coexist with a 29.79 per 1000 people crime rate on an annual basis.  For violent crime, Miami holds a 3.88 per 1000 people compared to Florida's total of 2.59 in violent crime. Miami succeeds in incorporating numerous cultures into the city, bringing a wider worldview to the Floridian space, but it can’t escape the high crime rate. I believe part of what makes Miami's crime rate so high is the extreme cost of living. Miami's cost of living is 18% higher than the national average.

6. Birmingham, Alabama

Transport to the industrial city fueling the south circa the mid-1900s. Birmingham introduced many folks to efficient steel mills and railroad manufacturing plants. Birmingham, Alabama, drew inspiration from Birmingham, England, copying the name and architecture for the U.S. town. The Birmingham Museum of Art, or the largest southeastern art museum, delights locals and visitors along with the Wright Center Concert Hall, the home grounds for the renowned Birmingham Ballet. 

Apart from these stellar attractions, Birmingham braves a crime rate of 59.78 per 1000 residents, a number encasing 42.85 property crimes per 1000 residents and 16.94 violent crimes per 1000 residents.

7.  Detroit, Michigan

Motown runs through Detroit, Mihigan’s roots. The city built itself back up on abandoned lots, which could point to inflated crime rates. Eminem, the Detroit-born rapper, reps his hometown any chance he has. The rapper understands the crime-laden city he grew up in, not with fear but respect. 

The 313 presents a high crime level, what with 66 occurrences per 1000 residents, 20.59 of those crimes violent, furthering a widespread community sense of dread or trepidation. Statistics indicate that heavy levels of property crime and violent crime deter property or automotive purchases. Property crime operates on a 1 in 22 chance, and violent crime a 1 in 49 chance of an incident. 

8. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans lent a lot to the birth of voodoo and other spiritual practices. Famous names like Marie Laveau and Madame LaLaurie made a home for themselves within the haunted city. The scent of fresh-baked beignets drifts through the air, encapsulated in an eerie feeling suggesting you aren’t alone in the Louisiana city. Could it be the spiritual practices held in this city lead to heightened crime rates? Or is it based on the population fueled by a heavy influx of tourists? 

The national median for violent crime in America flattens out at 4 in 1000. In New Orleans, that number jumps to 14.46 per 1000, almost eight above Louisiana's average of 6.29. A .72 murder rate, 2.81 robbery rate, and 9.74 assault rate point to a semi-unsafe territory over the U.S. average of .06 murder rate, .66 robbery rate, and 2.68 assault rate. 

9. Los Angeles, California

“I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan,” Miley Cyrus sings in her iconic anthem, “Party in the U.S.A.” The words Los Angeles bring up mixed emotions. Some people think of the city as a dream-holding wonderland. Others view the place as a dream-crushing location swimming in crime. Places like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Grammy Museum, Malibu Beach, and the infamous Beverly Hills appeal to visitors.

Los Angeles is 7% safer than other U.S. cities, with a crime rate of 35.29 annually. Of that number, 32,000 crimes are violent, and 105,000 are charged as property crimes. Residents meet a 1 in 119 chance of crime in LA paired with a 1 in 200 chance of crime in the overarching state. 

10. St. Louis, Missouri

Snug along the Mississippi River, an astounding arch marks itself as the centerpiece of St. Louis: the tallest monument in the U.S. built in the U.S. An alarming statistic places St. Louis, Missouri, safer than 0% of U.S. Cities. 

The crime rate comes in at a whopping 87.10 per 1000 people, and 72.41 of that percentage stems from property crime. The national median for property crime is 20 per 1000, while Missouri comes in at 23.4. The intense property crime rate gifts someone a 1 in 14 chance of turning into a property crime victim in St. Louis and a 1 in 43 chance in Missouri. The most prolific crime in St. Louis is theft, with over 4,600,000 thefts each year. 

11. Kansas City, Missouri

Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. We’re in Missouri. Craving a good, old-fashioned barbecue dinner? Kansas City is a prime location to satisfy that craving. Another Missouri town makes the list, though Kansas City reveals a slightly safer space than St. Louis. The Missouri city is ranked 1% safer than other U.S. cities, with a 63.18 crime rate relative to 1000 residents. Visitors and locals undergo a 1 in 67 chance of violent crime in Kansas City. The larger Missouri picture highlights a 1 in 205 chance of violent crime victimization in the state of Missouri.  

12. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

I have a friend who lives in Conway, South Carolina, about ten minutes outside of Myrtle Beach. He claims that he never visits Myrtle Beach due to extreme gang violence and crime rates prevailing through the beach city and the fact the beach resembles a dirt pit instead of a sandy beach. The popular destination witnesses a 76.53 per 1000 people crime rate. Factors leading to that amount encompass a 10.05 rate of violent crime and a 66.48 rate of property crime. Would you feel safe in a rental property knowing those statistics?

13. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, half of the Twin Cities, bears the nickname of “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” The nature-rich metropolis fancies lakes, national parks, and waterfalls. And let’s not forget about the revered Mall of America. 

All of that said, the Twin City is safer than 1% of all other U.S. cities. Not the best statistic, not the worst. A 66.28 crime rate per 1000 people ranks Minneapolis as a crime-infested city with difficulties in providing alternatives or outlets for criminals. Tourists and locals oversee a 1 in 19 chance of turning into a property crime victim in Minneapolis, contrasted with a 1 in 51 chance in Minnesota. That rate decreases for violent crime, with a 1 in 80 chance in Minneapolis and a 1 in 356 chance in Minnesota. 

14. Portland, Oregon

Portland focuses on the intersection of environmentalism and humanity, creating bike paths and numerous national park entries for enjoyment in nature. A standout part of Portland, Mount Hood, attracts hikers and skiers to the western state every year. 

Portland’s crime per square mile chart demonstrates each square mile holds 315 crimes. Oregon's crimes per square mile hold 61 crimes. At over five times the state's crime per square mile rate, what influences Portland’s dangerous reputation? Portland residents and tourists witness a 72.04 crime rate per 1000 people, relaying 64.56 of those crimes as property crimes and the rest as violent crimes. Almost 41,000 of the 45,753 reported crimes are property crimes. Of those numbers, the majority of property crimes are theft and automobile theft. 

15. Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is a central landing point for The Church of Latter-day Saints or Mormons. Salt Lake earned its name for a reason, as the city highlights the largest salt lake on the western side of the world. The Valley promotes two mountains to hikers and snowsport enthusiasts: the Wasatch Mountains on the north side and the Oquirrh Mountains on the west side. 

Now that we’ve introduced the gorgeous parts of Salt Lake City let’s speak on the crime. The Utah city reports a total of 76.11 crimes per 1000 residents. 66.32 of those are property crimes. The remaining 9.79 falls in the violent crime sector. 

16.  Little Rock, Arkansas 

Visiting a capital city always evokes joy. Arkansas’ capital, Little Rock, exhibits a political masterpiece, what with the quintessential William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum open to guests. This site features important touchstones in presidential history and a replicated oval office. 

Past the presidential honorings and a gorgeous arched bridge, we dive into the crime rates prevalent in the city. Little Rock’s violent crime rate sits at 72 per 1000 people. Remember, the national average is 4 per 1000. Violent crime resides at 18.25 per 1000, while property crime jumps to 53.83 per 1000 residents. Property crime nearly triples the violent crime rate, which could put travelers at ease.