Special Report

Where Your Car Is Most Likely to Be Stolen in Every State

Michael B. Sauter

Published: November 6, 2018 8:59 am

Last Updated: January 11, 2020 3:19 pm

Motor vehicle theft in the United States in 2017 remained effectively unchanged from 2016, when the rate increased by nearly 7%. Last year, there were 773,139 motor vehicle thefts across the country, a rate of 237.4 per 100,000 residents.

Of course, where you live can greatly increase or decrease the chances of your car getting stolen. 24/7 Wall St. determined the city in every state where your car is most likely to be stolen based on data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The city with the highest rate of car thefts in a state is not necessarily the city with the poorest community or with the biggest crime problems. The majority of these 50 cities have lower poverty rates, higher education levels, and higher household incomes than their respective statewide figures.

Auto thefts in the United States are often carefully planned, highly lucrative schemes for those who are able to evade capture. According to the NICB, many cars are stolen by large organized crime rings running sizable operations. Often, these rings operate out of certain major cities.

Some cars are also much more likely to be stolen than others. While expensive exotic cars may seem like the most efficient way to a large payout for a criminal, common cars like Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Chevrolet and Ford pickup trucks are by far the most stolen vehicles in America. This is especially true of older models without modern security features.

In states like New Hampshire, there is only one metropolitan area, so in New Hampshire, for example, the Manchester-Nashua metro area by default has the highest rate of car theft. However, Nashua has a car theft rate of just 62.7 for every 100,000 residents, which is one of the lowest of any metro area. The same goes for Providence, Rhode Island.

Click here to where your car is most likely to be stolen in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Alabama
> Metro area with most car thefts: Mobile
> Vehicle theft rate: 485.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,010
> Most stolen car in Alabama: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: yenwen / Getty Images

Alaska
> Metro area with most car thefts: Anchorage
> Vehicle theft rate: 816.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,274
> Most stolen car in Alaska: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Arizona
> Metro area with most car thefts: Tucson
> Vehicle theft rate: 318.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,260
> Most stolen car in Arizona: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Arkansas
> Metro area with most car thefts: Little Rock
> Vehicle theft rate: 429.5 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,171
> Most stolen car in Arkansas: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Thinkstock

California
> Metro area with most car thefts: Redding
> Vehicle theft rate: 751.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,352
> Most stolen car in California: Honda Civic

Source: kenlund / Flickr

Colorado
> Metro area with most car thefts: Pueblo
> Vehicle theft rate: 812.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,353
> Most stolen car in Colorado: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Sage Ross / Wikimedia Commons

Connecticut
> Metro area with most car thefts: New Haven
> Vehicle theft rate: 275.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,371
> Most stolen car in Connecticut: Honda Civic

Source: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware
> Metro area with most car thefts: Dover
> Vehicle theft rate: 100.1 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 177
> Most stolen car in Delaware: Honda Civic

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Florida
> Metro area with most car thefts: Miami
> Vehicle theft rate: 343.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 21,179
> Most stolen car in Florida: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons

Georgia
> Metro area with most car thefts: Valdosta
> Vehicle theft rate: 350.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 510
> Most stolen car in Georgia: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

Source: Art Wager / Getty Images

Hawaii
> Metro area with most car thefts: Honolulu (Urban)
> Vehicle theft rate: 272.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,697
> Most stolen car in Hawaii: Honda Civic

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Source: 5of7 / Flickr

Idaho
> Metro area with most car thefts: Pocatello
> Vehicle theft rate: 174.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 149
> Most stolen car in Idaho: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

Source: zrfphoto / Getty Images

Illinois
> Metro area with most car thefts: Chicago
> Vehicle theft rate: 254.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 24,254
> Most stolen car in Illinois: Dodge Caravan

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Indiana
> Metro area with most car thefts: Indianapolis
> Vehicle theft rate: 368.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 7,484
> Most stolen car in Indiana: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Iowa
> Metro area with most car thefts: Davenport
> Vehicle theft rate: 278.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017 : 1,064
> Most stolen car in Iowa: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

Source: benkrut / Getty Images

Kansas
> Metro area with most car thefts: Wichita
> Vehicle theft rate: 491.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,175
> Most stolen car in Kansas: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: lovingav / Getty Images

Kentucky
> Metro area with most car thefts: Louisville/Jefferson County
> Vehicle theft rate: 380.2 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 4,920
> Most stolen car in Kentucky: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

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Louisiana
> Metro area with most car thefts: New Orleans
> Vehicle theft rate: 335.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 4,274
> Most stolen car in Louisiana: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

Source: traveler1116 / Getty Images

Maine
> Metro area with most car thefts: Bangor
> Vehicle theft rate: 57.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 88
> Most stolen car in Maine: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Maryland
> Metro area with most car thefts: Baltimore
> Vehicle theft rate: 302.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 8,499
> Most stolen car in Maryland: Honda Accord

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Massachusetts
> Metro area with most car thefts: Springfield
> Vehicle theft rate: 162.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,027
> Most stolen car in Massachusetts: Honda Accord

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Source: duha127 / Getty Images

Michigan
> Metro area with most car thefts: Detroit
> Vehicle theft rate: 301.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 12,983
> Most stolen car in Michigan: Chevrolet Impala

Source: NicholasBPhotography / Getty Images

Minnesota
> Metro area with most car thefts: Minneapolis
> Vehicle theft rate: 235.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 8,472
> Most stolen car in Minnesota: Honda Civic

Source: DaveMcDPhoto / Getty Images

Mississippi
> Metro area with most car thefts: Gulfport
> Vehicle theft rate: 297.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,171
> Most stolen car in Mississippi: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons

Missouri
> Metro area with most car thefts: St. Joseph
> Vehicle theft rate: 750.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 952
> Most stolen car in Missouri: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

Source: wellesenterprises / Getty Images

Montana
> Metro area with most car thefts: Billings
> Vehicle theft rate: 558.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 952
> Most stolen car in Montana: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: f1monaco31 / Getty Images

Nebraska
> Metro area with most car thefts: Omaha
> Vehicle theft rate: 429.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 4,007
> Most stolen car in Nebraska: Honda Civic

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Nevada
> Metro area with most car thefts: Las Vegas
> Vehicle theft rate: 482.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 10,624
> Most stolen car in Nevada: Honda Civic

Source: Thinkstock

New Hampshire
> Metro area with most car thefts: Manchester
> Vehicle theft rate: 62.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 257
> Most stolen car in New Hampshire: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Natalia Bratslavsky / Getty Images

New Jersey
> Metro area with most car thefts: Trenton
> Vehicle theft rate: 203.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 763
> Most stolen car in New Jersey: Honda Civic

Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images

New Mexico
> Metro area with most car thefts: Albuquerque
> Vehicle theft rate: 1096.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 9,989
> Most stolen car in New Mexico: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Jacek_Sopotnicki / Getty Images

New York
> Metro area with most car thefts: Buffalo
> Vehicle theft rate: 124.2 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,412
> Most stolen car in New York: Honda Accord

Source: jessicasarahs / Flickr

North Carolina
> Metro area with most car thefts: Hickory
> Vehicle theft rate: 249.1 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 913
> Most stolen car in North Carolina: Honda Accord

Source: afiler / Flickr

North Dakota
> Metro area with most car thefts: Bismarck
> Vehicle theft rate: 203.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 269
> Most stolen car in North Dakota: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Ohio
> Metro area with most car thefts: Cleveland
> Vehicle theft rate: 294.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 6,070
> Most stolen car in Ohio: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

Source: digidreamgrafix / Getty Images

Oklahoma
> Metro area with most car thefts: Tulsa
> Vehicle theft rate: 538.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 5,336
> Most stolen car in Oklahoma: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: jose1983 / Getty Images

Oregon
> Metro area with most car thefts: Portland
> Vehicle theft rate: 512.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 12,577
> Most stolen car in Oregon: Honda Accord

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

Pennsylvania
> Metro area with most car thefts: Philadelphia
> Vehicle theft rate: 175.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 10,708
> Most stolen car in Pennsylvania: Honda Accord

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Rhode Island
> Metro area with most car thefts: Providence
> Vehicle theft rate: 140.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,280
> Most stolen car in Rhode Island: Honda Accord

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

South Carolina
> Metro area with most car thefts: Columbia
> Vehicle theft rate: 484.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,996
> Most stolen car in South Carolina: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

South Dakota
> Metro area with most car thefts: Rapid City
> Vehicle theft rate: 252.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 371
> Most stolen car in South Dakota: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

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Source: Brian Stansberry / Wikimedia Commons

Tennessee
> Metro area with most car thefts: Cleveland
> Vehicle theft rate: 378.5 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 463
> Most stolen car in Tennessee: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

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Texas
> Metro area with most car thefts: Lubbock
> Vehicle theft rate: 514.2 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,630
> Most stolen car in Texas: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

Source: AndreyKrav / Getty Images

Utah
> Metro area with most car thefts: Salt Lake City
> Vehicle theft rate: 564.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 6,785
> Most stolen car in Utah: Honda Civic

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Source: Thinkstock

Vermont
> Metro area with most car thefts: Burlington
> Vehicle theft rate: 72.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 159
> Most stolen car in Vermont: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Virginia
> Metro area with most car thefts: Richmond
> Vehicle theft rate: 220.5 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,854
> Most stolen car in Virginia: Honda Accord

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Source: aiisha5 / Getty Images

Washington
> Metro area with most car thefts: Seattle
> Vehicle theft rate: 494.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 19,136
> Most stolen car in Washington: Honda Accord

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

West Virginia
> Metro area with most car thefts: Charleston
> Vehicle theft rate: 570.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,224
> Most stolen car in West Virginia: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

Source: compujeramey / Flickr

Wisconsin
> Metro area with most car thefts: Milwaukee
> Vehicle theft rate: 413.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 6,516
> Most stolen car in Wisconsin: Dodge Caravan

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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Wyoming
> Metro area with most car thefts: Cheyenne
> Vehicle theft rate: 223.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 220
> Most stolen car in Wyoming: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

Methodology:

To determine the city in every state where your car is most likely to be stolen, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the vehicle theft rate in each metropolitan statistical area from the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s “2017 Hot Spots Vehicle Theft” report. Total vehicles reported stolen in 2017 in each city also came from this report. The most stolen car in each state is from the NICB’s “2017 Hot Wheels” report.