Personal safety is paramount whether you are walking home from work or traveling with friends and family.
Some of the best ways to protect against violent crime are known as ‘situational awareness.’
Be alert and aware of your surroundings and take simple precautions, such as locking your doors, staying in groups, and securing your belongings.
Unfortunately, even with diligence and care, violent crimes such as murder are on the rise in many cities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains data on national crime rates.
Murder rates are calculated by dividing the number of reported homicides by an area’s population.
These rates are reported annually, providing an understanding of the overall safety of a city or town.
Understanding the risks, whether at home or when traveling, is the first step in keeping safe.
Crime is population dependent.
The more people in a city, the more likely they are to encounter crime.
But population is not the only factor.
Policing initiatives, community outreach, and involvement all affect a city’s overall murder rate.
Contents
19 U.S. Cities with the Highest Murder Rate
| City | 2023 Population | Murder Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 2608425 | 24 |
| Philadelphia | 1527886 | 20.2 |
| Indianapolis | 871449 | 17.7 |
| Las Vegas | 653843 | 31.4 |
| Memphis | 621777 | 27.1 |
| Louisville | 621764 | 17.5 |
| Detroit | 621193 | 39.7 |
| Baltimore | 563455 | 51.1 |
| Milwaukee | 555640 | 20 |
| Kansas City | 509319 | 31.2 |
| Atlanta | 490270 | 16.7 |
| Oakland | 422994 | 17.1 |
| Tulsa | 408956 | 18.6 |
| New Orleans | 364659 | 40.6 |
| Cleveland | 360040 | 33.7 |
| Cincinnati | 306592 | 23.8 |
| Newark | 301055 | 25.6 |
| Pittsburgh | 295793 | 18.4 |
| St. Louis | 279390 | 69.4 |
St. Louis, a Mid-Western city of 279,390 people, has the highest murder rate of 69.4.
Maryland‘s capital city of Baltimore, with twice the population of St. Louis, at 563,455, has a murder rate of 51.1.
New Orleans, the crown jewel of Louisiana‘s Gulf Coast, has long struggled with crime.
With a current population of 364,659 residents, The Big Easy has the third-highest murder rate in the United States, hovering at 40.6.
Detroit has a homicide rate of 39.7 for its population of 621,193 people.
In comparison, northern Ohio‘s lakeside city of Cleveland has a rate of 33.7 for its 360,000 residents.
These two cities have similar rates but significant population differences.
Las Vegas, Nevada‘s population of 653,843, and Kansas City, with a population of just over 500,000, are two disparate cities.
However, their murder rates are similar – 31.4 and 31.2 respectively.
Memphis is home to Graceland, blues, and barbecue.
But the Blues Capital’s 621,777 residents are also faced with an overall homicide rate of 27.1.
Not far from the Jersey Shore, Newark‘s 301,055 people grapple with a homicide rate of 25.6, requiring caution at all times.
As seen in Chicago‘s murder rate, population size affects overall data.
The Windy City’s 2,608,425 residents are currently grappling with a murder rate of 24.
Cincinnati, a mid-sized city of 306,592 in southwest Ohio, has a notable murder rate of 23.8.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, another highly populated city with 1,527,886 residents in the metro area, has seen a growing homicide rate – currently hovering around 20.2.
The northern mid-west city of Milwaukee has seen an increase in population and crime.
Its current population sits around 555,640 Wiconsonites, with a murder rate reaching 20.0.
Fourteenth on the list of cities with the highest murder rates is the growing town of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Home to roughly 408,956, this central western town has a rate of 18.6.
Pittsburgh, in northwestern Pennsylvania, is famous for the Warhol Museum and is home to 295,793 people.
Unfortunately, its murder rate has been reported at 18.4 – making it 15th on the list.
Indianapolis is famous for car racing, the Indianapolis 500, and a championship football team, the Indianapolis Colts.
Unfortunately, the 871,449 residents of Indiana‘s capital city must also be aware of a 17.7 murder rate.
The name Louisville, Kentucky, conjures images of green hills and horses for its 621,764 residents.
However, personal safety must also be considered, as the city has a 17.5 murder rate.
Oakland, California‘s crime rate has changed in the past decade.
While it remains a high-crime city, its murder rate has dropped to 17.1 for a population of 422,994 within the city limits.
Currently, Atlanta, Georgia, with a population of 490,270, sits at the bottom of the list of 19 cities with the highest murder rates.
Its rate is 16.7 homicides annually.
United States Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: United States Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
How are homicide rates calculated?
Homicide rates are calculated by taking the total number of homicides in an area and dividing by the total population.
This number is then multiplied by 100,000.
This formula allows different geographical areas to be compared.
What is the biggest reason for homicide?
Domestic violence is one of the biggest reasons for homicide.
By definition, ‘domestic’ includes not only spousal or partner violence but altercations with family members.
Gang violence is also another factor affecting homicide rates.
What is the homicide rate in the United States of America?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) maintains criminal statistics for the nation.
According to data, the post-pandemic murder rate in the United States of America has decreased to 6.3.
Personal safety is crucial, and it’s important to be aware of the risks in different cities based on their population and crime rates.