They are lovely places — but are they really that safe?
According to a report ranking the most dangerous states in the U.S., some attract tourists for their stunning vistas yet harbor significant violence. New Mexico tops the list as the riskiest state, based on FBI crime statistics that consider both violent and property crime rates.
The Southwest, known for its breathtaking landscapes and national parks, offers a stark contrast to these statistics.
The FBI categorizes violent crimes as assaults, rapes, and murders, while property crimes include arson and theft. However, they note that multiple factors influence crime rates, such as climate, economic conditions, law enforcement presence, and population density. It’s worth mentioning that many incidents go unreported, adding complexity to the data.
Notably, most of the states on the list rank lower overall in safety. Here’s a quick snapshot of the top five.
New Mexico
New Mexico, famously featured in the series “Breaking Bad,” has a staggering violent crime rate of 749 incidents per 100,000 people. The state’s most populous area, Albuquerque, saw a 12% rise in felony arrests in early 2025, while Santa Fe, the capital, also reported a 5% increase in crime since the previous year. The property crime rate here matches that of Washington, ranking it as the seventh most dangerous state.
Colorado
Despite its reputation for stunning mountain ranges and ski resorts, Colorado stands as the second most dangerous state, with a violent crime rate of 474 per 100,000 and property crimes reaching 2,879 per 100,000. Interestingly, US News ranks Colorado as 11th in overall quality of life, though other sources have placed it much lower on safety lists.
Louisiana
This year, Louisiana is slightly safer than in the past, moving from second to third place for danger. Much of the criminal activity occurs in New Orleans, where the violent crime rate sits at 548 per 100,000, and property crimes reach 2,630 per 100,000. Overall, Louisiana ranked last in the best overall states for 2025.
Tennessee
Tennessee, ranking fourth, recorded violent crimes at 628 per 100,000 and property crimes at 2,362 per 100,000. The situation seems to have worsened since last year when it was ranked sixth.
Arkansas
Arkansas, another southern state, holds the fifth position, with a violent crime rate of 620 per 100,000 and property crimes at 2,229 per 100,000. However, it has shown some improvement compared to last year, when it ranked even higher on this list.
The 10 Most Dangerous States in the United States
- New Mexico
- Colorado
- Louisiana
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Alaska
- Washington
- California
- Nevada
- South Carolina
On a brighter note, there are also some of the safest states that boast picturesque settings. New Hampshire tops the safety list, followed by Maine and Idaho.
