Special Report

Where Your Car Is Most Likely to Be Stolen in Every State

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Motor vehicle theft in the United States in 2017 remained effectively unchanged from 2016, when the rate increased by nearly 7%. Last year, there were 773,139 motor vehicle thefts across the country, a rate of 237.4 per 100,000 residents.

Of course, where you live can greatly increase or decrease the chances of your car getting stolen. 24/7 Wall St. determined the city in every state where your car is most likely to be stolen based on data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

The city with the highest rate of car thefts in a state is not necessarily the city with the highest poverty rate or with the biggest crime problem. The majority of these 50 cities have lower poverty rates, higher education levels, and higher household incomes than their respective statewide figures.

Auto thefts in the United States are often carefully planned, highly lucrative schemes for those who are able to evade capture. According to the NICB, many cars are stolen by large organized crime rings running sizable operations. Often, these rings operate out of certain major cities.

Some cars are also much more likely to be stolen than others. While expensive exotic cars may seem like the most efficient way to a large payout for a criminal, common cars like Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Chevrolet and Ford pickup trucks are by far the most stolen vehicles in America. This is especially true of older models without modern security features.

In states like New Hampshire, there is only one metropolitan area, so in New Hampshire, for example, the Manchester-Nashua metro area by default has the highest rate of car theft. However, Nashua has a car theft rate of just 62.7 for every 100,000 residents, which is one of the lowest of any metro area. The same goes for Providence, Rhode Island.

Click here to where your car is most likely to be stolen in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

Alabama
> Metro area with most car thefts: Mobile
> Vehicle theft rate: 485.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,010
> Most stolen car in Alabama: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Alabama

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Alaska
> Metro area with most car thefts: Anchorage
> Vehicle theft rate: 816.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,274
> Most stolen car in Alaska: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Alaska

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Arizona
> Metro area with most car thefts: Tucson
> Vehicle theft rate: 318.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,260
> Most stolen car in Arizona: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Arizona

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Arkansas
> Metro area with most car thefts: Little Rock
> Vehicle theft rate: 429.5 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,171
> Most stolen car in Arkansas: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

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California
> Metro area with most car thefts: Redding
> Vehicle theft rate: 751.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,352
> Most stolen car in California: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: California

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Colorado
> Metro area with most car thefts: Pueblo
> Vehicle theft rate: 812.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,353
> Most stolen car in Colorado: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Colorado

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Sage Ross / Wikimedia Commons

Connecticut
> Metro area with most car thefts: New Haven
> Vehicle theft rate: 275.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,371
> Most stolen car in Connecticut: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware
> Metro area with most car thefts: Dover
> Vehicle theft rate: 100.1 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 177
> Most stolen car in Delaware: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: Delaware

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Florida
> Metro area with most car thefts: Miami
> Vehicle theft rate: 343.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 21,179
> Most stolen car in Florida: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Florida

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Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons

Georgia
> Metro area with most car thefts: Valdosta
> Vehicle theft rate: 350.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 510
> Most stolen car in Georgia: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Georgia

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Hawaii
> Metro area with most car thefts: Honolulu (Urban)
> Vehicle theft rate: 272.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,697
> Most stolen car in Hawaii: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

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Idaho
> Metro area with most car thefts: Pocatello
> Vehicle theft rate: 174.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 149
> Most stolen car in Idaho: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Idaho

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Illinois
> Metro area with most car thefts: Chicago
> Vehicle theft rate: 254.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 24,254
> Most stolen car in Illinois: Dodge Caravan

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Indiana
> Metro area with most car thefts: Indianapolis
> Vehicle theft rate: 368.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 7,484
> Most stolen car in Indiana: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Indiana

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Iowa
> Metro area with most car thefts: Davenport
> Vehicle theft rate: 278.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017 : 1,064
> Most stolen car in Iowa: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Iowa

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Kansas
> Metro area with most car thefts: Wichita
> Vehicle theft rate: 491.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,175
> Most stolen car in Kansas: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Kansas

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Kentucky
> Metro area with most car thefts: Louisville/Jefferson County
> Vehicle theft rate: 380.2 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 4,920
> Most stolen car in Kentucky: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

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Louisiana
> Metro area with most car thefts: New Orleans
> Vehicle theft rate: 335.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 4,274
> Most stolen car in Louisiana: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

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Maine
> Metro area with most car thefts: Bangor
> Vehicle theft rate: 57.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 88
> Most stolen car in Maine: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Maine

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Maryland
> Metro area with most car thefts: Baltimore
> Vehicle theft rate: 302.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 8,499
> Most stolen car in Maryland: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: Maryland

Sean Pavone / Getty Images

Massachusetts
> Metro area with most car thefts: Springfield
> Vehicle theft rate: 162.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,027
> Most stolen car in Massachusetts: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

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Michigan
> Metro area with most car thefts: Detroit
> Vehicle theft rate: 301.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 12,983
> Most stolen car in Michigan: Chevrolet Impala

See all stories featuring: Michigan

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Minnesota
> Metro area with most car thefts: Minneapolis
> Vehicle theft rate: 235.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 8,472
> Most stolen car in Minnesota: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

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Mississippi
> Metro area with most car thefts: Gulfport
> Vehicle theft rate: 297.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,171
> Most stolen car in Mississippi: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Mississippi

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Tim Kiser / Wikimedia Commons

Missouri
> Metro area with most car thefts: St. Joseph
> Vehicle theft rate: 750.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 952
> Most stolen car in Missouri: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Missouri

wellesenterprises / Getty Images

Montana
> Metro area with most car thefts: Billings
> Vehicle theft rate: 558.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 952
> Most stolen car in Montana: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Montana

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Nebraska
> Metro area with most car thefts: Omaha
> Vehicle theft rate: 429.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 4,007
> Most stolen car in Nebraska: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

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Nevada
> Metro area with most car thefts: Las Vegas
> Vehicle theft rate: 482.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 10,624
> Most stolen car in Nevada: Honda Civic

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New Hampshire
> Metro area with most car thefts: Manchester
> Vehicle theft rate: 62.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 257
> Most stolen car in New Hampshire: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

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New Jersey
> Metro area with most car thefts: Trenton
> Vehicle theft rate: 203.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 763
> Most stolen car in New Jersey: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

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New Mexico
> Metro area with most car thefts: Albuquerque
> Vehicle theft rate: 1096.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 9,989
> Most stolen car in New Mexico: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

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New York
> Metro area with most car thefts: Buffalo
> Vehicle theft rate: 124.2 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,412
> Most stolen car in New York: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: New York

jessicasarahs / Flickr

North Carolina
> Metro area with most car thefts: Hickory
> Vehicle theft rate: 249.1 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 913
> Most stolen car in North Carolina: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

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North Dakota
> Metro area with most car thefts: Bismarck
> Vehicle theft rate: 203.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 269
> Most stolen car in North Dakota: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: North Dakota

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Ohio
> Metro area with most car thefts: Cleveland
> Vehicle theft rate: 294.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 6,070
> Most stolen car in Ohio: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Ohio

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Oklahoma
> Metro area with most car thefts: Tulsa
> Vehicle theft rate: 538.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 5,336
> Most stolen car in Oklahoma: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

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Oregon
> Metro area with most car thefts: Portland
> Vehicle theft rate: 512.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 12,577
> Most stolen car in Oregon: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: Oregon

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Pennsylvania
> Metro area with most car thefts: Philadelphia
> Vehicle theft rate: 175.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 10,708
> Most stolen car in Pennsylvania: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

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Rhode Island
> Metro area with most car thefts: Providence
> Vehicle theft rate: 140.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,280
> Most stolen car in Rhode Island: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images

South Carolina
> Metro area with most car thefts: Columbia
> Vehicle theft rate: 484.3 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 3,996
> Most stolen car in South Carolina: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

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South Dakota
> Metro area with most car thefts: Rapid City
> Vehicle theft rate: 252.6 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 371
> Most stolen car in South Dakota: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

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Brian Stansberry / Wikimedia Commons

Tennessee
> Metro area with most car thefts: Cleveland
> Vehicle theft rate: 378.5 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 463
> Most stolen car in Tennessee: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

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Texas
> Metro area with most car thefts: Lubbock
> Vehicle theft rate: 514.2 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,630
> Most stolen car in Texas: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Texas

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Utah
> Metro area with most car thefts: Salt Lake City
> Vehicle theft rate: 564.0 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 6,785
> Most stolen car in Utah: Honda Civic

See all stories featuring: Utah

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Vermont
> Metro area with most car thefts: Burlington
> Vehicle theft rate: 72.8 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 159
> Most stolen car in Vermont: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Vermont

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Virginia
> Metro area with most car thefts: Richmond
> Vehicle theft rate: 220.5 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 2,854
> Most stolen car in Virginia: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: Virginia

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Washington
> Metro area with most car thefts: Seattle
> Vehicle theft rate: 494.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 19,136
> Most stolen car in Washington: Honda Accord

See all stories featuring: Washington

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

West Virginia
> Metro area with most car thefts: Charleston
> Vehicle theft rate: 570.9 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 1,224
> Most stolen car in West Virginia: Ford Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

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Wisconsin
> Metro area with most car thefts: Milwaukee
> Vehicle theft rate: 413.4 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 6,516
> Most stolen car in Wisconsin: Dodge Caravan

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

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Wyoming
> Metro area with most car thefts: Cheyenne
> Vehicle theft rate: 223.7 per 100,000 residents
> Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 220
> Most stolen car in Wyoming: Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

Methodology:

To determine the city in every state where your car is most likely to be stolen, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the vehicle theft rate in each metropolitan statistical area from the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s “2017 Hot Spots Vehicle Theft” report. Total vehicles reported stolen in 2017 in each city also came from this report. The most stolen car in each state is from the NICB’s “2017 Hot Wheels” report.

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