Motor-vehicle theft — along with arson, robbery, aggravated assault, and homicide — is one of only eight criminal offenses that the FBI includes in its crime rate index. Like other index crimes, automobile theft is a serious offense, and while all index crimes are common in every part of the country by definition, motor-vehicle theft occurs far more regularly than nearly every other offense included in FBI crime rates.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, one vehicle was stolen every 30 seconds in 2022, on average. But while automobile thefts are reported in every state in the country, certain places accounted for a disproportionate share of the more than 1 million known cases of auto theft in 2022. (Here is a look at the most dangerous neighborhoods in America.)

Using 2022 data from the NICB, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the highest motor vehicle theft rates. States are ranked on reported car thefts for every 100,000 people, as calculated by NICB. Supplemental data on population totals are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey, and data on registered light-duty vehicles by state is from the U.S. Department of Energy, and is current as of 2023.

Depending on the state, the number of reported car thefts in 2022 ranges from 750 to over 200,000. Adjusting for population, automotive theft rates vary from about 55 incidents per 100,000 people, to over 730 per 100,000. (Here is a look at where your car is most likely to be stolen in every state.)

Motor-vehicle theft is often a crime of opportunity, and because there are nearly as many registered vehicles as there are people in much of the country, there is no shortage of opportunity. While vehicle theft is sometimes committed for nothing more than a joyride, these crimes are typically committed by professionals who re-sell stolen vehicles or vehicle parts. Car theft can be especially lucrative, as the average new vehicle transaction price in December 2024 was nearly $50,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.

These are the states where your car is most likely to be stolen.

Why It Matters

Motor vehicle theft is on the rise in the United States — and according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, approximately two vehicles were stolen every minute in the U.S. in 2022. FBI data shows that fewer than one-in-every 10 cases of auto theft are solved by law enforcement, and with new car prices hovering near all-time highs, these crimes are especially costly. While car theft happens in every corner of the country, there are certain states where personal vehicles are far more likely to be stolen.

50. New Hampshire

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 53.8 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 750 — the fewest of 50 states (0.1% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 99.2 for every 100 people (1,383,700 total)
• State population: 1,395,200 — 10th smallest of 50 states (0.4% of total U.S. population)

49. Maine

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 68.1 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 944 — 3rd fewest of 50 states (0.1% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 89.2 for every 100 people (1,236,000 total)
• State population: 1,385,300 — 9th smallest of 50 states (0.4% of total U.S. population)

48. Idaho

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 91.1 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 1,766 — 6th fewest of 50 states (0.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 101.8 for every 100 people (1,974,600 total)
• State population: 1,939,000 — 13th smallest of 50 states (0.6% of total U.S. population)

47. Massachusetts

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 101.5 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 7,084 — 18th fewest of 50 states (0.7% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 78.6 for every 100 people (5,491,100 total)
• State population: 6,982,000 — 16th largest of 50 states (2.1% of total U.S. population)

46. West Virginia

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 115.3 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 2,046 — 10th fewest of 50 states (0.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 85.1 for every 100 people (1,510,900 total)
• State population: 1,775,200 — 12th smallest of 50 states (0.5% of total U.S. population)

45. Wyoming

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 132.4 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 770 — 2nd fewest of 50 states (0.1% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 112.3 for every 100 people (652,900 total)
• State population: 581,400 — the smallest of 50 states (0.2% of total U.S. population)

44. New York

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 143.9 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 28,323 — 9th most of 50 states (2.8% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 57.5 for every 100 people (11,318,600 total)
• State population: 19,677,200 — 4th largest of 50 states (5.9% of total U.S. population)

43. Vermont

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 160.6 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 1,039 — 4th fewest of 50 states (0.1% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 91.7 for every 100 people (593,100 total)
• State population: 647,100 — 2nd smallest of 50 states (0.2% of total U.S. population)

42. Virginia

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 164.2 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 14,256 — 23rd most of 50 states (1.4% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 88.9 for every 100 people (7,723,500 total)
• State population: 8,683,600 — 12th largest of 50 states (2.6% of total U.S. population)

41. Rhode Island

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 164.2 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 1,796 — 7th fewest of 50 states (0.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 80.2 for every 100 people (877,600 total)
• State population: 1,093,700 — 7th smallest of 50 states (0.3% of total U.S. population)

40. Iowa

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 168.1 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 5,379 — 15th fewest of 50 states (0.5% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 98.5 for every 100 people (3,153,300 total)
• State population: 3,200,500 — 20th smallest of 50 states (1.0% of total U.S. population)

39. Pennsylvania

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 172.7 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 22,407 — 15th most of 50 states (2.3% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 78.7 for every 100 people (10,211,000 total)
• State population: 12,972,000 — 5th largest of 50 states (3.9% of total U.S. population)

38. New Jersey

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 174.5 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 16,165 — 18th most of 50 states (1.6% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 79.1 for every 100 people (7,324,100 total)
• State population: 9,261,700 — 11th largest of 50 states (2.8% of total U.S. population)

37. Hawaii

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 183.2 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 2,639 — 13th fewest of 50 states (0.3% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 75.0 for every 100 people (1,080,100 total)
• State population: 1,440,200 — 11th smallest of 50 states (0.4% of total U.S. population)

36. Delaware

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 184.5 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 1,879 — 9th fewest of 50 states (0.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 89.8 for every 100 people (914,700 total)
• State population: 1,018,400 — 6th smallest of 50 states (0.3% of total U.S. population)

35. Connecticut

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 195.5 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 7,091 — 19th fewest of 50 states (0.7% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 81.2 for every 100 people (2,945,700 total)
• State population: 3,626,200 — 22nd smallest of 50 states (1.1% of total U.S. population)

34. Wisconsin

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 198.7 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 11,709 — 25th fewest of 50 states (1.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 93.8 for every 100 people (5,529,000 total)
• State population: 5,892,500 — 20th largest of 50 states (1.8% of total U.S. population)

33. Florida

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 206.9 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 46,020 — 4th most of 50 states (4.6% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 83.5 for every 100 people (18,583,200 total)
• State population: 22,244,800 — 3rd largest of 50 states (6.7% of total U.S. population)

32. Mississippi

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 209.2 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 6,150 — 16th fewest of 50 states (0.6% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 92.6 for every 100 people (2,723,300 total)
• State population: 2,940,100 — 17th smallest of 50 states (0.9% of total U.S. population)

31. Alabama

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 209.2 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 10,616 — 23rd fewest of 50 states (1.1% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 95.3 for every 100 people (4,835,900 total)
• State population: 5,074,300 — 24th largest of 50 states (1.5% of total U.S. population)

30. Utah

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 209.5 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 7,082 — 17th fewest of 50 states (0.7% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 91.0 for every 100 people (3,076,200 total)
• State population: 3,380,800 — 21st smallest of 50 states (1.0% of total U.S. population)

29. North Carolina

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 220.4 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 23,576 — 13th most of 50 states (2.4% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 84.9 for every 100 people (9,085,500 total)
• State population: 10,699,000 — 9th largest of 50 states (3.2% of total U.S. population)

28. Montana

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 223.7 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 2,512 — 12th fewest of 50 states (0.3% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 91.0 for every 100 people (1,021,700 total)
• State population: 1,122,900 — 8th smallest of 50 states (0.3% of total U.S. population)

27. North Dakota

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 224.6 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 1,750 — 5th fewest of 50 states (0.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 102.3 for every 100 people (797,400 total)
• State population: 779,300 — 4th smallest of 50 states (0.2% of total U.S. population)

26. Indiana

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 226.0 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 15,440 — 20th most of 50 states (1.6% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 90.3 for every 100 people (6,172,100 total)
• State population: 6,833,000 — 17th largest of 50 states (2.1% of total U.S. population)

25. Kentucky

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 226.4 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 10,217 — 22nd fewest of 50 states (1.0% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 89.5 for every 100 people (4,039,700 total)
• State population: 4,512,300 — 25th smallest of 50 states (1.4% of total U.S. population)

24. Georgia

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 243.9 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 26,612 — 10th most of 50 states (2.7% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 88.4 for every 100 people (9,642,400 total)
• State population: 10,912,900 — 8th largest of 50 states (3.3% of total U.S. population)

23. Alaska

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 245.6 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 1,802 — 8th fewest of 50 states (0.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 76.3 for every 100 people (559,800 total)
• State population: 733,600 — 3rd smallest of 50 states (0.2% of total U.S. population)

22. South Dakota

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 248.3 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 2,259 — 11th fewest of 50 states (0.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 100.9 for every 100 people (918,000 total)
• State population: 909,800 — 5th smallest of 50 states (0.3% of total U.S. population)

21. Michigan

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 256.7 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 25,753 — 11th most of 50 states (2.6% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 85.0 for every 100 people (8,525,400 total)
• State population: 10,034,100 — 10th largest of 50 states (3.0% of total U.S. population)

20. Nebraska

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 257.0 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 5,058 — 14th fewest of 50 states (0.5% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 100.2 for every 100 people (1,971,200 total)
• State population: 1,967,900 — 14th smallest of 50 states (0.6% of total U.S. population)

19. Ohio

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 258.3 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 30,361 — 7th most of 50 states (3.1% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 87.8 for every 100 people (10,317,300 total)
• State population: 11,756,100 — 7th largest of 50 states (3.5% of total U.S. population)

18. Maryland

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 260.9 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 16,086 — 19th most of 50 states (1.6% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 82.1 for every 100 people (5,060,000 total)
• State population: 6,164,700 — 19th largest of 50 states (1.9% of total U.S. population)

17. Arkansas

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 269.8 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 8,216 — 20th fewest of 50 states (0.8% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 88.9 for every 100 people (2,708,300 total)
• State population: 3,045,600 — 18th smallest of 50 states (0.9% of total U.S. population)

16. South Carolina

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 290.5 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 15,345 — 21st most of 50 states (1.5% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 95.5 for every 100 people (5,042,400 total)
• State population: 5,282,600 — 23rd largest of 50 states (1.6% of total U.S. population)

15. Kansas

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 292.4 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 8,588 — 21st fewest of 50 states (0.9% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 89.2 for every 100 people (2,621,100 total)
• State population: 2,937,200 — 16th smallest of 50 states (0.9% of total U.S. population)

14. Arizona

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 294.8 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 21,694 — 16th most of 50 states (2.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 88.7 for every 100 people (6,529,000 total)
• State population: 7,359,200 — 14th largest of 50 states (2.2% of total U.S. population)

13. Louisiana

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 297.1 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 13,638 — 24th most of 50 states (1.4% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 82.2 for every 100 people (3,774,200 total)
• State population: 4,590,200 — 25th largest of 50 states (1.4% of total U.S. population)

12. Oklahoma

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 298.7 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 12,007 — 25th most of 50 states (1.2% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 106.7 for every 100 people (4,287,900 total)
• State population: 4,019,800 — 23rd smallest of 50 states (1.2% of total U.S. population)

11. Illinois

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 307.6 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 38,699 — 6th most of 50 states (3.9% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 79.8 for every 100 people (10,043,200 total)
• State population: 12,582,000 — 6th largest of 50 states (3.8% of total U.S. population)

10. Minnesota

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 311.9 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 17,832 — 17th most of 50 states (1.8% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 89.5 for every 100 people (5,118,500 total)
• State population: 5,717,200 — 22nd largest of 50 states (1.7% of total U.S. population)

9. Tennessee

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 337.9 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 23,830 — 12th most of 50 states (2.4% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 92.7 for every 100 people (6,538,800 total)
• State population: 7,051,300 — 15th largest of 50 states (2.1% of total U.S. population)

8. Texas

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 350.1 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 105,133 — 2nd most of 50 states (10.6% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 85.9 for every 100 people (25,796,600 total)
• State population: 30,029,600 — 2nd largest of 50 states (9.0% of total U.S. population)

7. Nevada

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 480.8 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 15,279 — 22nd most of 50 states (1.5% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 80.4 for every 100 people (2,556,100 total)
• State population: 3,177,800 — 19th smallest of 50 states (1.0% of total U.S. population)

6. Missouri

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 482.6 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 29,815 — 8th most of 50 states (3.0% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 91.1 for every 100 people (5,626,000 total)
• State population: 6,178,000 — 18th largest of 50 states (1.9% of total U.S. population)

5. California

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 520.2 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 203,018 — the most of 50 states (20.4% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 94.4 for every 100 people (36,850,300 total)
• State population: 39,029,300 — the largest of 50 states (11.7% of total U.S. population)

4. New Mexico

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 540.6 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 11,424 — 24th fewest of 50 states (1.1% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 92.4 for every 100 people (1,952,400 total)
• State population: 2,113,300 — 15th smallest of 50 states (0.6% of total U.S. population)

3. Oregon

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 540.9 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 22,934 — 14th most of 50 states (2.3% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 90.4 for every 100 people (3,832,700 total)
• State population: 4,240,100 — 24th smallest of 50 states (1.3% of total U.S. population)

2. Washington

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 603.5 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 46,990 — 3rd most of 50 states (4.7% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 87.5 for every 100 people (6,816,100 total)
• State population: 7,785,800 — 13th largest of 50 states (2.3% of total U.S. population)

1. Colorado

• Motor-vehicle theft rate in 2022: 731.3 incidents per 100,000 people
• Total, known motor-vehicle thefts in 2022: 42,706 — 5th most of 50 states (4.3% of all U.S. car thefts)
• Registered light-duty vehicles in state: 93.2 for every 100 people (5,441,800 total)
• State population: 5,839,900 — 21st largest of 50 states (1.8% of total U.S. population)

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