Motor vehicle theft, one of the most serious offenses tracked by the FBI, is on the rise in the United States. There were a total of 810,400 motor vehicle thefts nationwide in 2020, the most in over a decade.
Motor vehicle theft can be either the theft or attempted theft of a vehicle, such as a car, truck, ATV, or motorcycle. Some experts attribute the rising rates of vehicle theft to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to vehicles sitting unattended and unused for longer than usual. Additionally, vehicle theft is often committed for monetary gain, and the pandemic sent unemployment soaring and left many Americans struggling financially.
While motorists nationwide now face a greater risk of vehicle theft than they have in many years, in some parts of the country, car owners are far less likely to be victims of car theft than in others. Here is a look at the 10 most stolen cars in America.
Using data from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 cities where your car is least likely to be stolen. Cities — defined as places with populations above 25,000 — are ranked by the number of motor vehicle thefts reported for every 100,000 people.
In every city on this list, vehicle theft rates are a small fraction of the national rate of 246 incidents per 100,000 people. The majority of cities on this list are located in the Northeast, including 15 in New Jersey alone.
Motor vehicle theft — along with larceny and burglary — is one of three criminal offenses that comprise the property crime category. Due in large part to lower than average vehicle theft rates, in nearly every city on this list, the overall property crime rate is lower than the national rate of 1,958 incidents per 100,000 people. Here is a look at the city with the fewest property crimes in every state.
Click here to see the cities where your car is least likely to be stolen
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
50. Lakewood, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 25.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 27 — 241st lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 806.3 — 146th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 871 — 587th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 102,466
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Source: Demetri2K / iStock via Getty Images
49. Hillsborough, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 24.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 10 — 63rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 430.2 — 36th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 173 — 51st lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 39,542
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
48. Watertown Town, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 24.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 9 — 43rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 698.9 — 103rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 253 — 107th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 35,401
47. Carpentersville, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 24.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 9 — 43rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 37,872
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46. Voorhees, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 24.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 7 — 25th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 906.3 — 195th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 264 — 113th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 29,212
45. North Attleborough, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 23.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 7 — 25th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 1,065.6 — 263rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 312 — 143rd lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 29,180
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44. Medina, Ohio
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 23.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 6 — 20th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 757.3 — 124th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 196 — 62nd lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 26,095
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43. East Brunswick, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 23.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 11 — 73rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 697.9 — 102nd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 332 — 166th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 47,819
42. New Berlin, Wisconsin
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 22.7
> Total vehicle thefts: 9 — 43rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 1,151.0 — 305th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 457 — 271st lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 39,718
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41. Mundelein, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 22.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 7 — 25th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 31,587
40. Palatine, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 22.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 15 — 123rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 68,407
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39. Johns Creek, Georgia
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 22.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 19 — 163rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 449.6 — 40th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 384 — 214th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 83,999
38. Evesham, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 22.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 10 — 63rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 795.2 — 143rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 359 — 189th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 45,135
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
37. Florence, Arizona
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 21.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 6 — 20th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 264.8 — 5th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 73 — 6th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 26,420
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36. Franklin, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 21.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 1 — the lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 789.9 — 141st lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 37 — 3rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 65,554
Source: imagindiana / iStock via Getty Images
35. Beverly, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 21.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 9 — 43rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 386.0 — 30th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 163 — 42nd lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 41,885
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34. West Bloomfield charter, Michigan
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 21.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 14 — 112th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 371.3 — 25th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 244 — 98th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 65,928
Source: uschools / E+ via Getty Images
33. Wellesley, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 20.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 6 — 20th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 383.4 — 29th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 110 — 23rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 28,747
32. Mount Prospect, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 20.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 11 — 73rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 54,604
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. Carmel, New York
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 20.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 7 — 25th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 331.4 — 12th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 113 — 24th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 34,210
30. Guilderland, New York
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 20.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 7 — 25th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 1,985.2 — 645th highest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 677 — 450th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 35,696
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
29. Manchester, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 20.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 9 — 43rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 533.6 — 54th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 234 — 88th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 43,503
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28. Danville, California
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 20.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 9 — 43rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 533.5 — 53rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 239 — 95th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 44,605
27. Oak Lawn, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 20.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 11 — 73rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 55,936
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26. Buffalo Grove, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 19.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 8 — 36th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 41,062
25. Upper Arlington, Ohio
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 19.7
> Total vehicle thefts: 7 — 25th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 945.0 — 210th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 336 — 171st lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 35,299
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24. Belmont, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 19.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 5 — 13th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 696.4 — 99th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 182 — 57th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 26,113
Source: andykazie / iStock via Getty Images
23. Jackson, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 18.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 11 — 73rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 363.0 — 22nd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 211 — 72nd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 56,968
22. Vernon Hills, Illinois
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 18.7
> Total vehicle thefts: 5 — 13th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: N/A
> Total property crimes: N/A
> Population: 26,343
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21. Glen Cove, New York
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 18.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 5 — 13th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 393.6 — 31st lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 107 — 20th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 27,232
20. South Brunswick, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 17.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 8 — 36th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 769.4 — 133rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 353 — 184th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 45,400
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19. Howell, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 17.3
> Total vehicle thefts: 9 — 43rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 758.9 — 125th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 395 — 227th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 51,959
Source: stresstensor / iStock via Getty Images
18. Newton, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 17.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 15 — 123rd lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 550.5 — 59th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 486 — 298th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 88,593
17. Lacey, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 16.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 5 — 13th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 552.1 — 60th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 163 — 42nd lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 28,804
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16. Rexburg, Idaho
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 16.7
> Total vehicle thefts: 5 — 13th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 338.2 — 14th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 101 — 15th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 28,414
15. Berkeley, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 16.6
> Total vehicle thefts: 7 — 25th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 550.2 — 58th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 232 — 85th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 41,815
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14. Washington, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 15.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 1 — the lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 822.2 — 152nd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 53 — 5th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 47,833
13. Holly Springs, North Carolina
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 15.2
> Total vehicle thefts: 6 — 20th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 934.3 — 204th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 370 — 198th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 34,874
12. Colleyville, Texas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 14.5
> Total vehicle thefts: 4 — 11th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 557.9 — 61st lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 154 — 38th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 26,462
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11. Midland, Michigan
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 14.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 6 — 20th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 789.3 — 140th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 329 — 163rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 41,920
10. Bella Vista, Arkansas
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 13.7
> Total vehicle thefts: 4 — 11th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 583.4 — 66th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 170 — 47th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 28,539
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9. Independence charter, Michigan
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 13.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 5 — 13th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 340.5 — 15th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 127 — 28th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 36,745
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8. Milton, Georgia
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 12.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 5 — 13th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 512.8 — 49th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 207 — 69th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 38,759
7. West Milford, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 11.4
> Total vehicle thefts: 3 — 6th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 353.5 — 19th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 93 — 12th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 26,404
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6. North Andover, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 9.6
> Total vehicle thefts: 3 — 6th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 341.4 — 16th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 107 — 20th lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 30,842
Source: jejim / iStock via Getty Images
5. Lexington, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 9.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 3 — 6th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 344.0 — 17th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 114 — 25th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 33,340
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Source: Joseph Trentacosti / iStock via Getty Images
4. Long Beach, New York
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 9.0
> Total vehicle thefts: 3 — 6th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 137.5 — 3rd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 46 — 4th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 33,507
Source: ErimacGroup / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. Haverstraw, New York
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 8.1
> Total vehicle thefts: 3 — 6th lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 607.5 — 76th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 225 — 81st lowest of 1,361 cities (tied)
> Population: 37,114
Source: bigapple / iStock via Getty Images
2. Cliffside Park, New Jersey
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 3.8
> Total vehicle thefts: 1 — the lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 329.5 — 11th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 87 — 10th lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 25,126
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1. Franklin Town, Massachusetts
> 2020 vehicle thefts per 100K people: 2.9
> Total vehicle thefts: 1 — the lowest of 1,446 cities (tied)
> Property crimes per 100K people: 93.3 — the lowest of 1,361 cities
> Total property crimes: 32 — 2nd lowest of 1,361 cities
> Population: 33,256
Methodology
To determine the city where your car is least likely to be stolen, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed motor vehicle theft figures from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report.
We included cities that have more than 25,000 people based on five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. Limited data was available in the 2020 UCR for areas in Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though cities in these states were not excluded from analysis.
Data for property crime — a category that includes larceny-theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft — also came from the 2020 FBI UCR. Population figures are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. However, these estimates were not used to calculate crime rates. Crime rates per 100,000 people were calculated using population figures provided by the FBI in the 2020 UCR.
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