Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the World

Have you ever wondered which cities feel the most unsafe when you walk down the street? Today, we’re counting down the most dangerous cities in the world and digging into what makes them so risky. From sky-high murder rates to worrying levels of home break-ins and car thefts, these urban areas top the charts for all the wrong reasons. Let’s dive in and see how danger looks around the globe.

How Do We Determine the Most Dangerous City in the World?

Before we dive into the rankings, here’s a quick look at the crime data we use to judge how dangerous each city really is:

• Homicide rate: Annual murders per 100,000 residents, based on El Consejo Ciudadano’s study. Higher numbers mean more violent crime.
• Crime index: A score from 0 (very low) to 100 (very high) that sums up overall crime pressure, taken from Numbeo’s city crime data.
• Home‐theft worry: The percentage of residents who say they fear break-ins or burglaries, also from Numbeo.
• Car‐theft worry: The percentage of residents who worry their vehicle will be stolen, per Numbeo’s surveys.
• Safety index: A companion to the crime index (100 minus the crime index) that shows how safe residents feel overall.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in the World

Below is our countdown of the most dangerous cities in the world, paired with highest crime rate in the world. You’ll see that eight of these cities are in Mexico, showing just how intense the crime wave is there—and one surprise entry from the U.S.

1. Colima, Mexico

Colima tops the list at 181.94 homicides per 100,000 people. Numbeo gives it a crime index of 70.19, with 66.13% of residents fearing home break-ins and 53.61% worrying their car might be stolen. When nearly two out of three people dread a burglary, you know you’re in one of the world’s most dangerous cities.

2. Zamora de Hidalgo, Mexico

Zamora de Hidalgo follows close behind at 177.73 murders per 100,000. Its crime index spikes to 88.89, and 77.78% of locals stress over home break-ins and car theft. With nearly eight in ten residents on edge, Zamora shows that violence and property crime can go hand in hand.

3. Ciudad Obregón, Mexico

Ciudad Obregón sits at 138.23 homicides per 100,000. Numbeo reports a crime level of 67.38. Here, 73.41% of people worry about their home getting robbed, and 45.56% fear their car vanishing. That mix of high murder rates and property-crime concerns keeps everyone alert.

4. Zacatecas, Mexico

Zacatecas records 134.62 killings per 100,000. Its crime index is 82.69, with 75.06% of residents scared of home break-ins and 61.40% fearing car theft. When more than three-quarters of people worry about burglary, it’s clear Zacatecas ranks as one of the most dangerous cities today.

5. Tijuana, Mexico

Tijuana’s murder rate hits 105.12 per 100,000. Numbeo gives it a crime level of 68.07. A whopping 80.43% report serious property-crime issues, and 70.03% worry their car will get stolen. Tijuana proves that high violence often comes with rampant theft fears.

6. Celaya, Mexico

Celaya posts 99.64 homicides per 100,000. It has a crime index of 90.43, and 59.11% of people dread home break-ins, while 49.81% keep an eye on their car. Even with slightly lower worry rates, Celaya’s nearly 100 murders per 100,000 make it a top contender.

7. Uruapan del Progreso, Mexico

Uruapan sees 78.26 murders per 100,000. Its crime level sits at 87.50. Here, 65.62% fear home theft and 68.75% fear car theft. When more than two-thirds of residents worry their car will be taken, you know Uruapan faces big safety challenges.

8. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

The only non-Mexican city in our top ten, New Orleans, tallies 70.56 homicides per 100,000. Numbeo lists its crime index at 80.60, with 58.90% worrying about home theft and 59.91% worrying their car might be stolen. Even in the U.S., this city racks up very high danger stats.

9. Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

Ciudad Juárez logs 67.69 murders per 100,000. Its crime level is 79.63, and 66.83% fear home break-ins while 66.51% fear car theft. When two-thirds of people dread property crimes, Juárez proves to be one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

10. Acapulco, Mexico

Acapulco closes out the top ten with 65.55 homicides per 100,000. It has a crime index of 80.11, with 61.11% frightened of home break-ins and 61.67% afraid their car will be stolen. Even a resort town can hide serious danger under the surface.

If you live in any of the cities mentioned above, installing a security camera is a great way to protect your property. Consider Reolink security cameras for added peace of mind.

Other Most Dangerous Cities in the World

These cities didn’t crack the most dangerous cities in the world, but still have very high crime rates and keep residents on edge.

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town ranks #12 globally with 63.00 homicides per 100,000. Its crime index is 84.36, with 69.34% worried about their home and 64.54% worried about their car. It’s a city of deep beauty and deep risk.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg sits at 41.43 murders per 100,000 (#34). Its crime index is 80.84, and its safety index is just 19.16. Here, concerns run high for both violent crime and theft in one of Africa’s largest metros.

Irapuato, Mexico

Just off the top ten with 61.60 homicides per 100,000 (#13), Irapuato still has a crime index of 68.98 and a safety index of 31.02. Even missing the cut, more than two out of three people feel unsafe in their own homes.

Bonus: Murder Capitals of the World

In addition to the dangerous cities already mentioned, several others are often labeled the murder capitals of the world due to their extremely high homicide rates per 100,000 people. Take a look:

What’s the Best Solutions for Staying Safe in Dangerous Cities in the Word?

The following are some of the best solutions you must know to stay safe if you visit any of the dangerous cities, as explained in this guide:

• Stay aware: keep your head up, watch your surroundings, and avoid dark or empty streets.
• Travel in groups when you can—safety often comes from numbers.
• Use licensed taxis or rideshares with GPS tracking.
• Keep valuables out of sight: stow phones and wallets in hidden pockets or pouches.
• Share your plans: let someone know where you’re going or use live-location features.
• Learn local emergency numbers and note the nearest police station or hospital.

FAQs

What is the murder capital of the world?

We ranked the world’s murder capitals based on homicide rates per 100,000 people, using data from Statista. Durán, Ecuador tops the list, with around 148 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.

What is the most dangerous city in the world?

As of 2025, Tijuana, Mexico, holds the title of the most dangerous city in the world, with a staggering homicide rate of 138 per 100,000 inhabitants. This equates to nearly seven murders daily in a city with a population of over 2 million.

What are the top 10 unsafe cities?

They are, by homicide rate per 100,000 people: Colima; Zamora de Hidalgo; Ciudad Obregón; Zacatecas; Tijuana; Celaya; Uruapan del Progreso; New Orleans; Ciudad Juárez; Acapulco.

What is the highest crime city in the world?

Colima, Mexico, with 181.94 homicides per 100,000 and very high concerns about home break-ins (66.13%) and car theft (53.61%).

Conclusion

We’ve walked through the most dangerous cities in the world and seen the grim numbers behind each. From Mexico’s eight entries to New Orleans’ lone U.S. spot, high homicide rates often go hand in hand with property-crime fears. Whether you live in one of these cities or plan to visit, awareness and simple safety steps can help you stay secure. What have you done to stay safe in a risky city? Share your tips and stories below.