Car theft is not something that occurs in the movies or in other people. It is a factual issue that impacts hundreds of thousands of Americans in a year. Although the total amount of stolen vehicles was reduced by 17 percent between 2023 and 2024, down to 850,708 thefts around the country, there are still places in the country that are considered a death trap, as your car is much more likely to be stolen.
You either live in one of these hotspots or you are going there, so you have to know what you are dealing with. It is this breakdown of the car theft capitals in America, and why these are such appealing targets to thieves.
Why Location Matters More Than You Think
Cities are not equal as far as vehicle theft is concerned. The rate of theft in some places is multiplied several times the national average. The overall national theft rate is 305 per 100,000 individuals, whereas the cities in this list surpass it by several folds.
What is so dangerous about these places? A few factors come into play. Stores that are close to highways provide the thieves with swift ways to evade so that they can transport stolen cars from one state to another. The targets are higher and more anonymous in dense urban areas. Shipment of vehicles to other countries is made possible through port cities. Put in economic strains and you have the storm of vehicle crimes.
The Top 10 Car Theft Hotspots
1. Washington, D.C.
The capital of the country, unfortunately, attains the leading position in terms of the rate of theft in America. D.C. recorded 842.4 thefts per 100,000 residents in 2024, which is more than three times the national average, despite a decline of 18 percent in total thefts in D.C. It is to say that your chances of being carjacked upon parking your car in D. C. are significantly greater than in practically any other part of the country.
2. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California
The Bay Area has been struggling with vehicle theft for years. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley recorded 40,977 stolen vehicles in 2023, making it the second-highest metro area by total volume. The combination of high vehicle values, tourism, and transient populations creates plenty of opportunities for criminals.
3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, California
The LA metro area leads the nation in total thefts with 72,460 vehicles stolen in 2023. While the sheer size of the population plays a role, that’s still an alarming number. California as a whole struggles with vehicle theft, and LA bears the brunt of it.
4. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado
Colorado has been dealing with a vehicle theft crisis for years. Denver and its surrounding areas have seen theft rates skyrocket, though recent data shows some improvement. The proximity to major interstate highways makes it easy for thieves to quickly move stolen vehicles out of the area before they’re recovered.
5. Pueblo, Colorado
The smaller population is not to be cheated by. In 2022, Pueblo documented 1,842 thefts per 100,000 people, which is one of the highest rates of theft per capita in the whole country. The issue of Pueblo is even more threatening than most large cities when you factor in population size.
6. Albuquerque, New Mexico
The city of New Mexico is the biggest city that has been struggling with the increasing theft rates over the years. The rate of theft in Albuquerque is 710 per 100,000 people, with the figures on the increase year after year by an average of 12.4%. This growth is especially worrying to the residents and visitors.
7. Memphis, Tennessee
Being one of the largest transportation and logistics centers, Memphis has 714 thefts per 100,000 population. The city is well located in the middle of the city and has wide accessibility over highways, which makes it a perfect place for criminals to steal vehicles and deliver them to other areas.
8. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois
The Chicago metro area registered 29,202 total thefts in 2024, compared to the 36,422 the year before. Although the direction can be considered right, Chicago is still ranked among the three highest metro areas in the US regarding the number of vehicle thefts.
9. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
There were 582 thefts per 100,000 residents in Seattle, and the crimes have been on the increase. The closeness of the city to shipping routes and ports in the global arena makes it a special target of organized theft rings aiming to sell off stolen vehicles abroad.
10. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Oregon
The last in our list, Portland, is one whose theft rate has been on the rise over the last few years. Similar to Seattle, the city is located on the West Coast and can be approached by port, which makes it interesting to professional thieves. The positive news is that Oregon was ranked one of the states where the vehicle theft decreased the most between 2023 and 2024.
What’s Driving the Problem
These cities have a vehicle theft epidemic that has been caused by a few factors. The pandemic shifted trends of vehicle transportation and monitoring, leaving new possibilities to criminals. Some of the models of vehicles, especially older Hyundai and Kia cars that were not produced with immobilizers, were viral on social media sites. The groups of organized theft have also become more advanced and they now utilize the technology to circumvent the state of the art security measures.
The Hyundai Elantra and the Hyundai Sonata were ranked as the most stolen vehicles in 2024. The models were targets because the social media users learnt that they can be stolen simply by using a USB cable because they lacked anti-theft technology.
For vehicles parked in high-risk theft areas, catalytic converter protection should be a top priority.
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What This Means for You
Whether you are living in or coming to visit any of these cities, it is not the time to panic, but still, act. The danger is present, though it does not have to be unavoidable. Scoundrels seek soft targets and a car with a visible security device is way less attractive than one that appears to be an easy target.
The first one is to park in busy and well-lit locations as far as practicable. Always lock up valuables in the car. You can also consider the security of your vehicle by installing an aftermarket alarm, GPS tracking or steering wheel locks. And in case you are driving in a high-risk vehicle such as a Hyundai, Kia, or a pickup truck, be extra careful.
In these regions, catalytic converter protection should be the priority of most Toyota owners. These parts are useful and can be stolen in a few minutes and you will have thousands of bills to repair. A good catalytic converter lock is not very expensive, yet it can help you avoid a big headache.
The Bottom Line
Vehicle theft remains a serious problem in America’s major cities, even as overall numbers improve. If your city made this list, you’re facing a higher risk than most Americans. But knowledge is power. Understanding the threat is the first step toward protecting yourself.
At AV Sales, we know that prevention is always better than dealing with the aftermath of theft. Whether you’re looking to protect your catalytic converter or beef up your overall vehicle security, taking action today means peace of mind tomorrow. Don’t wait until you’re another statistic in next year’s report.