Last week, the White House issued an executive order about “crime and disorder on America’s streets,” but crime is improving in some cities, including New York City. So, where are the most dangerous cities in the nation? U.S. News and World Report recently revealed a list ranking 25 major cities across the country.
According to the outlet, it based the ranking on each city’s murder and property crime rates per 100,000 people. This was determined by FBI crime reports.
Memphis, Tenn., stood out as the most dangerous city on the list, while Minneapolis, Minn., came out as the least dangerous. Cities in Ohio and Missouri ended up on opposite ends of the ranking.
Here are the top seven most dangerous cities, per this ranking method, from most to least dangerous:
1. Memphis, Tenn.
2. Oakland, Calif.
3. St. Louis, Mo.
4. Baltimore, Md.
5. Detroit, Mich.
6. Alexandria, La.
7. Cleveland, Ohio
Here are the bottom seven cities, per the U.S. News and World Report ranking, from least to most dangerous:
1. Minneapolis, Minn.
2. Milwaukee, Wisc.
3. Dayton, Ohio
4. Canton, Ohio
5. Louisville, Ky.
6. Kansas City, Mo.
7. Albuquerque, N.M.
Earlier this year, Audacy reported that homicides in major cities decreased last year compared to 2023, citing multiple studies. In June Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch of the New York Police Department also announced that from January 2025 through May 2025, New York City experienced the lowest number of shootings and murders in recorded history. The Chicago Police Department also announced in June “reductions in homicides, shooting incidents and shooting victims, all marking the lowest levels since 2019.” Los Angeles also reported a 65% decrease in homicides last year.