When considering which American cities to avoid for safety, it’s important to base decisions on current, data-driven crime trends, not just reputation.
For example, Memphis, Tennessee, has a violent crime rate of approximately 2,501 incidents per 100,000 people in 2024, according to FBI/UCR data. In Detroit, Michigan, preliminary data by the City of Detroit for 2024 shows 203 homicides, a 19% drop from the 252 in 2023 — the lowest annual total in the city since 1965. Across multiple U.S. cities, including Baltimore, St. Louis, and New Orleans, there have also been significant declines in violent crime throughout 2024 and into early 2025
These numbers illustrate a more complex reality: although crime remains a serious concern in these cities, many are experiencing real progress. Still, their past and current risk levels mean they remain flagged on “safety-avoidance” lists. Below are American cities that pose elevated safety risks, their crime data, and why they remain significant and even attractive in other ways.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis continues to rank among U.S. cities with very high violent crime, particularly in terms of murder. In 2024, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reported a preliminary decline in overall crime compared to 2023, but Memphis still had a homicide rate of about 40.6 per 100,000, based on FBI/UCR data.
What makes Memphis compelling despite this risk is its deep cultural heritage and affordability. The city is known as the birthplace of the blues and rock ’n’ roll, with iconic sites like Beale Street and Graceland. Moreover, for those willing to be cautious, the cost of living is comparatively lower than in many large U.S. cities. Recent crime trends are encouraging in early 2025; city reports show a 23% year-to-date decrease in homicides compared to the same period in 2024.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit’s long-standing reputation for crime has been a longstanding one, but the city is making historic strides. In 2024, Detroit recorded 203 criminal homicides, down 19% from 2023, and saw non-fatal shootings drop by 25%. The Detroit Police Department’s year-end report confirmed these preliminary figures and also noted a 15% drop in carjackings. The city’s violent crime rate (total violent crimes per 100,000) in 2024 was about 1,781, according to FBI UCR–based compilations.
Still, Detroit remains attractive for those interested in urban renewal and community-driven change. The ShotStoppers initiative, a multi-agency program that empowers local groups to prevent violence through education, blight removal, and community outreach, has been credited with dramatic declines in shooting hotspots.
The city also benefits from green infrastructure projects like the “Joe Louis Greenway,” which improve livability and foster safer, more walkable neighborhoods. Culturally, Detroit has a strong legacy in automotive history, music, and art — and for many, it’s a city of phoenix-style rebirth.
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore has long struggled with high homicide rates, but 2025 has brought historic reductions. By May 2025, the city saw a 23.6% drop in homicides and a 23.4% reduction in non-fatal shootings compared to the same period in 2024. According to the mayor’s office, these are the lowest numbers on record for that time of year.
Baltimore remains historically and culturally rich. It is ho