The most dangerous cities in the world (part 1)

These cities may look like idyllic holiday hotspots in some photos but the truth is that they're some of the most dangerous locations in the world, according to the crowdsourced global database the Numbeo Crime Index.

Mid-Year data for 2024 ranked these 20 cities as having the highest crime ratings and lowest safety ratings on the planet based on surveys around visitors' perceived crime levels and safety, as well as specific crimes like violent crime.

A city with a high crime index (a score between 60 and 80) or a very high index (over 80) is considered very dangerous, while a city with a high safety index is considered very safe.

Every single city in the top 20 most dangerous has a crime rating over 70.

20. Albuquerque, USA

The city of Albuquerque, USA, has a crime index of 71.7.

According to Neighbourhood Scout, individuals have a one in 72 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in the city in New Mexico.

19. Tijuana, Mexico (tied)

Tijuana in Mexico has a crime index of 72.1.

Homicide is shockingly common in this city, with Statista reporting in August 2023 that Tijuana had the second highest homicide rate in the world.

18. Alice Springs, Australia (tied)

The crime index for Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory is also 72.1, making it the only Australian city in the top 20.

Between December 1, 2022 and November 11, 2023, close to 11,000 crimes were reported in Alice Springs according to Numbeo — a significant number in relation to the small local population

17. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa has a crime index of 73.8.

South Africa itself has one of the highest rates of rape in the world and violent crimes are common in the townships and impoverished areas around Cape Town.

16. Detroit, USA

Back in the US, Detroit has a crime index of 74.3.

Over 41,000 crimes are reported in Detroit annually and over a quarter of those are violent crimes, per Neighbourhood Scout

15. Guayaquil, Ecuador

The crime index is 74.4 in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Drug crimes are common in the city and Ecuador's murder rate is uncommonly high, hitting close to 50 per 100,000 residents in 2023.

14. Baltimore, USA (tied)

Baltimore, USA has a crime index of 74.7.

There's a one in 64 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Baltimore, according to Neighbourhood Scout.

13. Fortaleza, Brazil (tied)

The crime index is also 74.7 in Fortaleza, a city in Brazil.

Homicides and gang violence are common across Brazil and rates of robbery, corruption and property crimes are high in Fortaleza.

12. Rosario, Argentina

Over in Rosario city, Argentina, the crime index sits at 75.6.

Dubbed Argentina's "drug and violence" capital in early 2024, homicide rates were five times the national average in 2023.

11. Recife, Brazil

In Brazil again, Recife has a crime index of 75.9.

Income inequality is rampant in Recife and fuels high crime rates, with homicides and other violent crimes often reported in the city.

10. Memphis, USA

The crime index in Memphis, USA is 76.5.

More than 60,000 crimes are reported in Memphis every year according to Neighbourhood Scout and over 15,000 of those are violent crimes.