Americas most dangerous states revealed and this beautiful tourist destination tops the list

They’re beautiful places — but are they to die for? U.S.News and World Report has ranked the 10 most dangerous states in America, with several picturesque places considered among the most violent.

The site used FBI estimates to factor in the violent crime rate and property crime rate of each state to assess overall public safety, with New Mexico coming in as the most dangerous in the US.The southwestern state is a top tourist destination known for its beautiful scenery, national parks and dry deserts.The FBI defines violent crime as assault, rape, manslaughter and murder, and property crime is typically defined as things such as arson, burglary and vehicle theft.The agency also stresses that different components go into the amount and types of crime in certain areas such as climate, economic conditions, law enforcement and population density.

Many crimes also go unreported, and therefore are not included in data.All but two of the 10 most dangerous states land in the lower half of the U.S.News Best States ranking for 2025.

Below, a look at the top five.New Mexico, which is ironically where the hit show “Breaking Bad” took place, has a violent crime rate of 749 per 100,000 residents, per the report.

In “Breaking Bad,” meth dealer Walter White lived with his family in Albuquerque, the most populated city in New Mexico — which has a crime rate above the national average, according to the city police.The police department reported that felony arrests in Albuquerque went up 12% in the first quarter of 2025.In Sante Fe, the capital of New Mexico, the crime rate increased 5% since 2024.Its property crime rate was 2,887 per 100,000, which is the exact same rate as Washington state, which ranked as the seventh most dangerous state.

Colorado, known for its mountain ranges and beautiful ski resorts, was named the second most dangerous state in America with a violent crime rate of 474 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,879 per 100,000.Though U.S.News...