Safest and Most Dangerous States in the U.S. 2022: Annual Ranking Updated (2024)

FAQs

What is the most dangerous state in the US 2022? ›

In 2022, the District of Columbia had the highest reported violent crime rate in the United States, with 812.3 violent crimes per 100,000 of the population. Maine had the lowest reported violent crime rate, with 103.3 offenses per 100,000 of the population.

A study by a California law firm ranks Louisiana as the second most dangerous state in the country. Louisiana trails only New Mexico in the ranking, with Arkansas placing third, followed by Alaska and Missouri.

According to the survey, health care and education were ranked highest, and had the most weight in determining the best states to live. Utah once again topped the list, followed by New Hampshire, Nebraska, Minnesota and Idaho rounding out the top five.

Murder rates in red states were 33% higher than in blue states in both 2021 and 2022. As in 2019 and 2020, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama hold the first, second, and third highest murder rates in the country, respectively.

In a new ranking from US News based on both violent and property crimes across the nation, New Mexico emerged as the most dangerous of all 50 states. The South and Midwest hosted the majority of the unenviable ranking, with Louisiana and Colorado rounding out the top three.

The safest state in the U.S., according to the U.S. News methodology, is New Hampshire. With a violent crime rate of 126 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,011 per 100,000, New Hampshire enjoys a high rate of public safety. At number two is Maine, followed by Idaho at number three.

Venezuela has a crime index of approximately 83.76, the highest of any country in the world. The main causes are discussed below. The U.S. Department of State has issued that it is unsafe to travel to the country.

A new study conducted by Omega Law Group used FBI crime data to reveal that both Louisiana and Arkansas are among the most dangerous states in the United States. The study revealed that the violent crime rate in Louisiana is 67% higher than the national average.

What is the 3rd most dangerous state? ›

Colorado comes out as the third most dangerous state in the country in new rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

Number of property crimes reported in the U.S. 2022, by state. In 2022, there were 914,517 cases of property crimes reported in California - the highest in the country. Texas, Florida, New York, and Washington rounded out the top five states in the U.S. for property crimes in that year.

Cheapest Southern States to Live In

Mississippi: According to World Population Review, in 2023, Mississippi holds the title of the cheapest state to live in the United States. Its cost of living index is 85, and overall costs in the state are 17% lower than the national average.

WalletHub has an answer. Researchers at the personal finance publication ranked the 50 states based on scores in five categories: affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Massachusetts topped 2023's list, scoring 61 out of 100. New Jersey came in second.

2024 Alabama crime rates

Alabama's property crime rate fell below the national average of 20.7 incidents per 1,000, landing at 19.9. And even though the state saw a significant drop—20% year over year—Alabama is still a bit over the national violent crime rate of 4.0 incidents per 1,000 people.