Car Theft Hotspots: Which U.S. States Top the List?

Vehicle theft affects over 1 million Americans annually, with criminals stealing cars every 36 seconds across the US. A new study by The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin analyzed automotive crime across all 50 states to identify where drivers face the greatest risk of vehicle theft and break-ins.

The research examined two variables for each state: the total number of stolen vehicles and the number of reported thefts from vehicles. To ensure fair comparison across states with varying vehicle populations, both figures were normalized per 100K registered cars, creating standardized rates that reflect theft intensity rather than raw totals.

Colorado ranks first as America’s worst state for automotive crime. The state records 5,349 combined incidents per 100K registered vehicles, creating a massive 1,259-point gap above second-place Texas. Colorado leads the country in both crime categories, posting the highest vehicle theft rate at 3,027 and the highest theft from vehicles at 2,322 per 100K cars.

Texas lands in second place with 4,090 automotive crimes, driven by high break-in activity. The state's 2,293 thefts from vehicles substantially exceed its 1,797 vehicle thefts, showing a pattern where criminals prefer targeting parked cars over stealing vehicles.

Nevada takes third position with 3,992 automotive crimes, showing the opposite pattern from Texas, with vehicle theft dominating criminal activity. The state records 2,379 stolen cars compared to 1,613 thefts from vehicles, with busy cities and high tourist traffic making cars easier targets.

Washington holds fourth place. The state reports 3,935 automotive crimes, demonstrating concerning rates similar to other Western states. Washington registers 2,266 car thefts and 1,669 cases of auto burglary.

Delaware comes in fifth place with 3,799 car crimes. The state posts 2,162 thefts from vehicles compared to 1,637 vehicle thefts, suggesting criminals focus more on quick property seizing than stolen car exports, like in Texas.

New Mexico ranks sixth with 3,688 automotive crimes, displaying relatively similar criminal activity across both categories. The state documents 1,983 stolen cars and 1,705 thefts from vehicles. New Mexico’s high crime rate can be explained by long highways and spread-out communities that can make prevention and enforcement more challenging.

Tennessee takes seventh place, with 3,571 combined automotive crimes. The state counts 1,998 thefts from vehicles and 1,572 car thefts. Tennessee's position as a major transportation hub creates numerous opportunities for criminals to target vehicles at truck stops, rest areas, and commercial districts.

Missouri holds eighth position in car theft rankings. The state records 3,226 automotive crimes across both major categories. Missouri’s central location and high traffic volume may contribute to increased vehicle-related crimes. The state posts 1,844 vehicle thefts and 1,382 car break-ins.

Oregon secures ninth place. The state records 2,996 automotive crimes with nearly balanced criminal activity. Oregon posts 1,451 auto thefts and 1,545 thefts from vehicles, showing one of the smallest gaps between crime types in the top ten.

Oklahoma completes the top ten. The state records 2,739 automotive crimes. Oklahoma posts 1,171 vehicle thefts and 1,569 thefts from vehicles, with break-ins outpacing car theft by nearly 400 incidents.

"What surprises many people is that car theft isn't necessarily tied to big cities," says the spokesperson from The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. "States like Delaware and New Mexico make the top 10 despite having relatively small urban centers. This indicates that interstate highways, tourist destinations, and border access also play a significant role in car crime. The consistency of Western states in the rankings also suggests regional factors like vast distances between law enforcement may make it easier for car criminals to operate."