Americans’ Perception of Safety in Cities
Visualizing the results of Numbeo’s Crime Index, Marcus Lu from Visual Capitalist reveals how Americans perceive safety in their own cities as of mid-2025.
Unlike traditional crime statistics, this index reflects public sentiment through crowdsourced surveys.
Data & Discussion
Numbeo’s Crime Index uses a scale from 0 (very safe) to 100 (very dangerous) based on residents’ experiences and perceptions. The survey covers various aspects of crime, including:
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General perception of crime levels
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Perceived safety during day and night
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Concerns about specific crimes
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Severity of property and violent crimes
Overall, this index provides an alternative view on urban safety shaped by public opinion. The rankings are as follows:
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Very Low Crime: 20 and below
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Low Crime: 20.01-40
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Moderate Crime: 40.01-60
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High Crime: 60.01-80
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Very High Crime: above 80
| Rank | City | State | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | TN | 78.0 |
| 2 | Detroit | MI | 73.1 |
| 3 | Baltimore | MD | 72.7 |
Memphis Tops the List
At the top of the rankings, Memphis, Tennessee, is perceived as the most unsafe city with a crime index score of 78. Residents often cite issues with violent crime and property theft, contributing to this perception.
Despite historical high crime rates, recent data shows improvements in safety in Memphis, with a decrease in total crime and specific crime categories.
Challenges in Rust Belt Cities
Detroit and Baltimore continue to rank among the most dangerous cities due to economic challenges leading to increased poverty rates and community destabilization.
If you found this article interesting, check out “Organized Crime Hot Spots Around the World” on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.
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