Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Florida Based on Crime Statistics

Florida’s crime picture is mixed. While the state’s overall crime rates are below the national average, certain cities in Florida have much higher crime levels than others. According to the USA Facts report, Florida’s violent crime rate is about 25.6% lower than the U.S. average.

Yet some cities, including Daytona Beach and Tallahassee, face alarmingly high crime. This article highlights recent crime statistics from Numbeo and other trusted sources to identify the most dangerous cities in Florida.

We will also try explaining the causes of Florida’s high-crime areas and offer safety tips. Read on to learn which Florida cities top the “most dangerous” lists and how to stay safe if you live there.

How We Identified the Most Dangerous Cities in Florida?

We used recent crime statistics from Numbeo and local crime reports to rank Florida cities. For each city, we reviewed Numbeo’s related metrics, including the level of crime, 5-year trend, and personal safety at night, to make a list.

Our editors also dig deep into the statistics from NeighborhoodScout to double-check the rankings. We have chosen both these platforms, as Numbeo’s data are crowd-sourced indices of perceived crime, while NeighborhoodScout provides FBI-based crime rates.

By comparing each city’s crime index and trends, we compiled a list of the worst cities in Florida with the highest crime numbers.

Is Florida Safe? A Quick Answer

On the whole, Florida’s crime index is lower than the national average, making much of the state as a whole relatively safe. However, safety varies city by city. For example, Miami and Jacksonville have much higher crime rates than small towns and suburbs.

Cities like Daytona Beach and West Palm Beach regularly report some of the state’s highest crime statistics. Overall, Florida’s violent crime rate is about 25% below the USA rate, but the mentioned hot spots mean visitors and new residents must stay alert in certain areas.

Most Dangerous Cities of Florida Based on Crime Statistics

Below are Florida’s leading dangerous cities, along with crime data and living-condition context. Go through them to learn about the cities you have to avoid while looking to move to Florida:

1. Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is known for tourism and events like Daytona 500, but it has a very high crime index. Numbeo reports Daytona’s Crime Index at 69.00, which makes it one of the most violent cities in Florida. Its tourist corridors and beachfronts attract thieves who target parked cars, rentals, and short-term visitors.

Some of its neighborhoods, including Seabreeze and Surfside Village, report the worst incidents and should be avoided after dark. NeighborhoodScout confirms Daytona has one of the highest crime rates in Florida, with a 1-in-29 chance of being a crime victim.

2. Tallahassee

The state capital, Tallahassee, has persistent crime issues. NeighborhoodScout notes that its crime rate is 31 per 1,000, which is higher than 88% of Florida communities. Both violent (1-in-173) and property (1-in-40) crime rates exceed the state's average value. Certain neighborhoods near the university report more assaults, burglaries, and car break-ins.

In fact, only 9% of the USA cities are considered safer than Tallahassee. Citizens frequently cite worries about home break-ins and an uptick in property crime over recent years. These factors combine to make Tallahassee one of the most dangerous cities in Florida.

3. Jacksonville

Jacksonville’s sprawling metro also reports high crime. NeighborhoodScout reports a 1-in-30 chance of victimization, with 92% of Florida cities safer than Jacksonville. On the other hand, Numbeo data would place Jacksonville’s Crime Index in the high 50s. Living conditions vary widely by neighborhood, but data clearly show Jacksonville’s crime levels.

Downtown areas at night and certain nearby neighborhoods like Walnut Court report far higher violent and property incidents. Even so, suburban areas of this worst place to live in Florida remain relatively low-crime.

4. Kissimmee

Situated near Orlando, this worst city in Florida also struggles with crime. Numbeo gives Kissimmee a crime index of around 58.5, indicating higher crime than most of the other cities. NeighborhoodScout finds the chance of being a victim in this city is about 1 in 48. Areas with large rental complexes generally show elevated crime complaints.

Moreover, Numbeo and other local sources show consistently high worry scores for home break-ins and car theft. Overall, its crime concerns are rated mostly “High” or “Moderate” in Numbeo data, as shown below.

5. Pensacola

As another troubled city, Pensacola has a crime rate of over 13 per 1000 residents according to the NeighborhoodScout data. It's downtown, and certain central neighborhoods show elevated property crime and occasional violent incidents.

Moreover, Parts of North Central Pensacola and older neighborhoods report more thefts and vehicle-related crimes. Additionally, this most violent city in Florida has a crime index touching the mid-50s, with safety categories rated as moderate based on the Numbeo data.

6. West Palm Beach

NeighborhoodScout finds that you will have a 1-in-33 chance of being a victim in this city. Over 87 percent of Florida’s towns are safer than West Palm Beach, as its odds of violent crime and property crime are higher. Its Downtown nightlife can attract theft and robberies, and inland neighborhoods show higher concentrations of drug-related incidents.

That said, gated communities and waterfront neighborhoods are markedly safer. However, Numbeo’s safety perception rankings point to this place being worse than many Florida cities.

7. Orlando

Being one of the worst places to live in Florida, Orlando shows a 47 per 1000 crime rate based on NeighborhoodScout statistics. On the other hand, Numbeo lists its Crime Index around 70, and Orlando’s walking safety at night is also rated very low. Pine Hills and areas like Starlight Ranch frequently appear on lists of higher-crime neighborhoods.

While tourist corridors are patrolled, residential areas west of downtown often require caution and stronger home security. All in all, Orlando’s crime levels far exceed national norms, making it one of Florida’s most dangerous cities.

8. Miami

Miami’s crime profile is well-publicized, as its crime rate is higher than 93% of Florida cities with a 1-in-29 chance of any crime. Historic centers such as Overtown and Liberty City have long faced poverty, gang activity, and higher violent crime rates. Additionally, tourists and new residents here are targeted for opportunistic theft in busy corridors and nightlife areas.

Moreover, Numbeo shows Miami’s perceived crime increase is high and worry about break-ins is moderate. In short, this worst city in Florida sees heavy property crime, and its overall crime rate is well above national levels.

9. Hollywood

Although Hollywood shows moderate crime rates on paper, these statistics are still above national averages. NeighborhoodScout notes 21 crimes per 1000, which is higher than 75% of Florida cities. It’s not as bad as Miami or Orlando, but many living there still feel insecure.

Overall, some central corridors report frequent thefts and occasional violent incidents, while many residential neighborhoods are quiet. We included Hollywood on the list of the most dangerous cities in Florida due to a higher perception of risk in the recent 5 years.

10. Fort Lauderdale

Having one of Florida’s highest crime rates, this city shows 40 per 1000 crimes based on the NeighborhoodScout data. Moreover, its violent crime chance is 1-in-213, and property crime risk reaches up to 1-in-28. So, the city’s crime rate, particularly property theft and car break-ins, is far above national medians.

Overall, its Northwest sections and some inland pockets are routinely cited as higher-risk. Therefore, the residents of this worst place to live in Florida should use visible home security to scare off thieves.

What’s Behind the High Crime Rates in Florida?

Generally speaking, almost all of the most dangerous cities in Florida suffer from similar crime concerns. Some of the major causes of crime issues include:

• Economic and Social Inequality: A few of the Florida cities have concentrated poverty and unemployment issues. This is the major issue creating conditions where crime becomes more likely. With people struggling for resources, they adopt a life of crime, so you see the higher theft and violence rates.
• Drugs and Organized Crime: Florida has always struggled with drug trafficking routes and gang activity. Most of the cocaine and prescription pills are smuggled through this state. So, this drug market fuels property and violent crimes in urban centers.
• Gun Laws and Violence: According to recent statistics, gun death rates have increased by 19% in Florida. This happens due to relatively permissive gun laws, meaning firearms are more accessible. Within the worst cities in Florida, conflicts can lead to deadly violence more easily than in states with stricter controls.
• Homelessness: Many Florida cities have large homeless populations living on the streets. As a result, these people start going rogue to feed themselves. This often correlates with higher public safety issues, contributing to overall city crime rates.

How to Remain Safe in the Most Violent Cities in Florida?

If you have to move to one of the most dangerous cities in Florida, you need to stay vigilant and prepared. Below are some key tips to help you stay safe:

Tip 1. Avoid Roaming Around at Night

While living in violent areas, try not to walk in unfamiliar or poorly lit areas after dark. In dangerous Florida cities, crime risks generally rise to a significant level at night.

Numbeo statistics explain that almost all the dangerous cities show signs of security risk in the dark. So, you need to stick to populated streets and travel in groups when possible.

Tip 2. Increase Surveillance of Your Home

As property theft is more prevalent in Florida cities, we recommend you install security cameras and alarms. To help you secure homes, eufy security cameras offer features like motion detection, night vision, and real-time alerts.

Moreover, these cameras on your front porch or driveway can help scare off intruders and record evidence. Many eufy models have AI detection to distinguish humans from pets, reducing false alarms. In the worst places to live in Florida, having visible cameras provides peace of mind and extra protection.

Tip 3. Keep Yourself Emergency Ready

When living in violent areas, you should always have quick access to help. For this, we recommend you save non-emergency police and fire department numbers on your phone.

Other than that, keep tabs on the nearest hospital and urgent-care centers. Most importantly, use safety apps, such as Noonlight, that let authorities or contacts know if you need help.

Tip 4. Install an Advanced Home Security System

Some of the most dangerous cities in Florida require a full security system for active protection. For this, we recommend installing the eufy LocalSecure System, a powerful solution that combines 4K UHD cameras and AI-driven monitoring.

With its BionicMind AI, the system can distinguish between strangers and familiar faces to reduce false alarms. All video is stored locally with up to 16TB expandable capacity, keeping your data secure and private while still giving you instant access through the eufy app.

Features like full-color night vision and automated sirens ensure threats are stopped quickly. In high-risk Florida areas, this level of reliable protection from eufy can make all the difference.

What Are the Safest Cities to Live in in Florida?

In case you prefer very low crime, consider these safer cities to live in Florida. They have some of the state’s lowest crime indices and high living quality scores based on Numbeo data:

1. Weston

Weston’s Crime Index is only 5.88 based on Numbeo’s scale, meaning crime is virtually negligible. Moreover, its residents report extremely high confidence in walking alone at night. On the website, the Level of crime statistics is rated “Very Low” in every category.

Overall, its low crime rate originates from its planned neighborhoods and visible municipal policing. All such factors reduce opportunistic theft and violent incidents to create one of Florida’s most secure living environments.

2. Naples

Compared to the most violent cities in Florida, Naples has low crime, with a crime index reaching below 23.5 on Numbeo. Its wealthier neighborhoods and strong local law enforcement mean theft and violent crime are uncommon.

Moreover, the safety indices of this city are very high, such as 85/100 for daytime walking and 76/100 at night. With good emergency-response times, Naples becomes one of Florida’s most consistently safe places to live.

3. Sarasota

Although parts of Sarasota can be busy, crime is relatively low. CrimeGrade gives this city an A+ overall rating, meaning Sarasota is safer than 93% of the USA cities. Its typical crime rate is about 11.38 per 1000 residents, which is well under the national average.

Residents consider it very safe, especially in the northeastern areas. Overall, its good schools and steady incomes combine to produce low overall risk for residents.

4. Key West

Being one of the safest cities, Key West has neighborhoods in the east with crime rates as low as 1-in-99 chance of a crime. With a small population and strong community policing, violent crime is especially rare in this one of the safest Florida cities.

Numbeo also lists the safety index of this city at 72, which can be categorized as High. While tourist areas see petty thefts, most residential neighborhoods report low violent-crime rates.

5. Boca Raton

In comparison to the most dangerous cities in Florida, Boca Raton is safer than 83% of cities according to Crime Grade. Its crime rate of around 14.35 per 1000 residents is well below national norms. Moreover, the gated communities and private security patrols of this city reduce both property and violent crime.

Moreover, its fast emergency response also contributes to Boca’s consistently low crime indices. Even though it’s near higher-crime West Palm Beach, Boca itself is consistently listed as the safest large cities.

Conclusion

Florida’s overall crime rates are not unusually high, but certain urban areas are among the nation’s most dangerous. Cities like Jacksonville and Daytona Beach report crime rates far above state and national averages.

By contrast, cities like Naples have very low crime indices and rank high in safety. So, you have to understand where risks are greatest to stay safe.

We recommend residents in high-crime areas take precautions, such as installing eufy ExpertSecure E10. With smart vigilance and the right home security tools, you can live safely even in the most dangerous neighborhoods in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

What city in Florida has the worst crime situation?

Several Florida cities have very high crime rates, but Daytona Beach and Jacksonville are often ranked among the worst. These cities typically show Numbeo Crime Indices in the 60 to 70 range and NeighborhoodScout rates, placing them in the bottom 10% of safety.

How does Florida’s crime compare to the national average?

Florida’s overall crime rates are lower than the national average. For example, FBI and USAFacts data show Florida’s violent crime rate is roughly 25% below the U.S. rate. This means many parts of Florida are safer than average. However, crime is unevenly distributed, as dangerous cities pull Florida’s highest crime stats.

Which is the safest city to live in Florida?

Weston is often cited as Florida’s safest city. Numbeo lists Weston’s crime index at a tiny 5.88, with “Very Low” crime concerns. Its planned communities and strong police presence help keep crime negligible.

Are Florida suburbs safer than the cities?

Yes, in general, suburban communities and small towns in Florida are much safer than the big cities. Even suburbs of large metros see far less crime. If safety is your priority, consider these areas rather than downtown neighborhoods of Orlando or Jacksonville.