These Are The States Where Your Automotive Is More Likely To Be Stolen

2025 data shows the variety of cars stolen within the U.S. dropped by 23% to 334,114 in the primary half of the yr in comparison with the identical period in 2024, when 435,754 cars were reported stolen in the primary 6 months. To place that into perspective, that is roughly 1,856 cars stolen on daily basis thus far this yr, in comparison with about 2,421 in 2024. Higher still, a report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a non-profit organization that compiles data on vehicle crimes within the U.S., notes that incidents of automobile theft could decline much more if the present trend holds. NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe identifies collaboration between law enforcement, automakers, insurers, and his own organization because the important factor behind the reduction in vehicle thefts in America. 

Nonetheless, despite the progress, residents in some states still face persistent automobile theft incidents. For those who live in a state where vehicle theft is common or have a automobile that is more susceptible to being stolen, consider taking proactive measures to avoid being a victim. These can include using a steering lock or a Faraday case, in addition to installing a tracker. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages automobile owners to park in well-lit, public areas (or automobile parks with CCTV or vehicle patrols) as a method of prevention. It is also an excellent idea to roll up your windows, lock your doors, and take keys and belongings with you whenever you park to avoid drawing attention to your vehicle. That being said, the District of Columbia tops the table for vehicle theft risk, at around 373 incidents per 100,000 residents, but doesn’t make it here for obvious reasons.

Residents in Missouri are significantly more more likely to experience automobile theft than those in other Midwestern states. In the primary half of 2025, about 142 vehicles per 100,000 residents were stolen within the state, making it the fifth-worst U.S. state for automobile theft. Taking a look at absolute numbers, a whopping 27,279 cars were stolen within the Show Me State in 2023, with thieves taking one other 23,500 in 2024. This yr, there have been around 9,000 vehicle thefts between January and June.

To not anyone’s surprise, Kansas City and St. Louis are the toughest hit cities in Missouri, with 6,497 and 4,716 thefts, respectively, in the primary half of 2025. Springfield is a distant third, with a reported 540 vehicle thefts. The Hyundai Elantra was essentially the most stolen automobile in Missouri in the primary 6 months of 2025, with 322 nabbed during that period. The second most stolen automobile in Missouri was the Hyundai Sonata, with 271 missing. The Kia Optima (249), Ford F150 Series (183), and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (179) round out the highest five.

149.04 vehicles have been flagged as stolen out of each 100,000 residents within the Centennial State through the first 6 months of 2025, making it one in every of the states within the U.S. experiencing essentially the most stolen cars. Thefts of Hyundai Elantras were essentially the most common in 2024, with 998 units reported stolen. In response to the identical 2024 statistics, Colorado saw 430.04 cars pinched per 100,000 residents. That figure is well down from 583.25 in 2023, which underscores the year-after-year decreases currently being seen.

Automotive thefts are more than likely in Denver, which boasts one in every of the very best vehicle crime rates within the country, with 964 thefts per 100,000 residents. That places it second only behind Bakersfield in California among the many cities that rank highest for automobile theft within the U.S. Pueblo, one other Colorado city, had fewer thefts than each Denver and Bakersfield but registered enough stolen vehicles to put third in The Zebra’s list of worst U.S. cities for automobile theft.

It’s bad enough that Recent Mexico is some of the expensive U.S. states to own a automobile. Used automobile prices within the state are out of reach for a lot of at over $35,000, and automobile insurance premiums are already high, with the common Recent Mexican paying over $2,000 for full coverage. Facing the chance of theft on top of all of the already hefty expenses doesn’t quite sound like a fascinating prospect. But it surely’s the truth of life in Recent Mexico, where, in accordance with the NICB, 167.54 out of each 100,000 residents have been victims of automobile theft in the primary half of 2025.

Meanwhile, Albuquerque is the worst city in Recent Mexico for automobile theft, with authorities recording 710 vehicle thefts for each 100,000 residents. On a positive note, Recent Mexico vehicle theft shows signs of decline from yr to yr. NICB data reveals that the speed in 2024 was 458.24 thefts for each 100,000 residents, which represents a slight drop from the previous yr when 489.67 vehicles were stolen for each 100,000 residents. As for the cars themselves, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is essentially the most at-risk model within the Land of Enchantment, with 335 units stolen in 2024.

Roughly 168 out of each 100,000 registered automobile owners in Nevada fell victim to automobile theft in the primary half of 2025. As you’d expect, certain cities experienced higher vehicle crime rates than others. Among the many Nevada towns and cities that saw drivers falling victim to essentially the most automobile theft in 2024, North Las Vegas is the placement with the very best theft rate, with 700.44 vehicles stolen for each 100,000 residents.

Of the cars mostly targeted by thieves within the Silver State, the Hyundai Elantra leads the best way, with 832 cars being stolen in 2024. Again, this is not surprising, considering Kias and Hyundais are known to be amongst essentially the most stolen vehicle brands in America. The important reason for that is that older Hyundai and Kia models, reminiscent of those manufactured between the 2011 and 2021, weren’t fitted with electronic engine immobilizers that prevent them from being began without the precise key.

There have been over 13 million cars registered in California as of 2023, which could cause the state to expire of license plate numbers this yr. With so many cars in a single state, it’s no surprise that an excellent number have been targeted by thieves. Some 176,230 vehicles, price roughly $1.56 billion, were stolen in California in 2024, in accordance with the California Highway Patrol. Now, in accordance with NICB data, there have been 178.01 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents within the Golden State between January and June 2025.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Honda Accord are known to be amongst California’s most targeted vehicles, with older models often more vulnerable to theft on account of their lesser safety features. The brazen thieves of California appear to have a robust fondness for high-riding vehicles, specifically, with personal trucks and SUVs alone accounting for a staggering 43.44% of the vehicles stolen within the state in 2024. NICB’s data show that the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was essentially the most targeted vehicle, with 6,248 thefts.