The Top 10 States With The Most Car Thefts

December 18, 2024 | Jesse Singer

The Top 10 States With The Most Car Thefts

The State Of Car Thefts In America

For this one, we'll be looking at two numbers: The total car thefts by state and the states with the highest percentage increase in thefts from the previous year.

Stolen Car States L

10: Total Thefts

Missouri: 27,279

Just to note: The numbers presented are for the year 2023—as 2024 hasn't ended yet and the compilation of those stats will take some time once it is.

Busch Stadium Parking in St. Louis Jeramey Jannene, Flickr

10: Percentage Increase

Louisiana, North Carolina, & Tennessee: 10%

And this would be the increase from 2022 to 2023.

Overview of Newfound Gap parking lot daveynin, Flickr

9: Total Thefts

Georgia: 28,171

Traffic Jam in Atlanta, Georgia Matt Lemmon, Flickr

9: Percentage Increase

Nebraska: 12%

N. 27th Street located in Nebraska, USA Hanyou23, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

8: Total Thefts

Ohio: 31,647

Short North Arts District in Columbus, Ohio Jsjessee, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

8: Percentage Increase

Pennsylvania: 13%

Buckingham Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania Dough4872, Wikimedia Commons

7: Total Thefts

New York: 32,715

Cars on the streets of New York City Vlada Karpovich, Pexels

7: Percentage Increase

New York: 15%

People and Cars in New York City, USA Mikołaj Kołodziejczyk, Pexels

6: Total Thefts

Colorado: 34,068

Colorado is also second on the list of "thefts per 100,000 people": 583.25

Colfax Avenue located in Aurora, Colorado Ken Lund, Flickr

6: Percentage Increase

Delaware: 15%

Wilmington Skyline from I-95 North in Delaware formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

5: Total Thefts

Illinois: 41,528

Busy Jackson Boulevard located in Chicago, Illinois Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

5: Percentage Increase

Massachusetts: 16%

Aerial view of Boston cityscape, Massachusetts Bert Kaufmann, Flickr

4: Total Thefts

Washington: 43,160

Thefts Per 100,000 People: 554.44

The city of Seattle, Washington in the fall Wonderlane, Flickr

4: Percentage Increase

Nevada: 18%

Thefts Per 100,000 People: 572.70

A View of the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Łukasz Kondracki, Pexels

3: Total Thefts

Florida: 46,213

Downtown Miami Street Scene Алексей Васильев, Pexels

3: Percentage Increase

Connecticut: 33%

Looking Down Pratt Street Toward Main Street Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

2: Total Thefts

Texas: 115,013

Thefts Per 100,000 People: 383.00

Evening Traffic in Houston, Texas Caribb, Flickr

2: Percentage Increase

Maryland: 63%

Thefts Per 100,000 People: 27.99

Baltimore, Maryland Downtown Kimberlyshorter, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

1: Total Thefts

California: 208,668

Thefts Per 100,000 People: 534.49

Los Angeles Freeway Traffic 4X4 Blazer 1776, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

1: Percentage Increase

District of Columbia: 64%

The DoC also placed first on the list of Thefts Per 100,000 People: 1,149.71

Monumental Core, Washington, District of Columbia Phil Roeder, Flickr

CAR TIPS

My car’s safety sensors keep malfunctioning in heavy rain and snow. Is this new tech really ready for real weather?

Car safety sensors can struggle in heavy rain, snow, ice, and slush. Learn why ADAS features malfunction, when to seek repairs, and whether today’s driver-assistance technology is truly ready for real-world weather.

July 23, 2026 Jack Hawkins

CAR HISTORY

Classic Station Wagons From The 1960s That No One Has Seen In Years—How Many Do You Remember?

These 25 classic station wagons were once family favorites, but today younger generations would barely recognize these forgotten icons of the road.

July 22, 2026 Allison Robertson

CAR HISTORY

Pickup Trucks From The 1960s That No One Remembers—Seriously, How Many Do You Recognize?

These 25 popular pickup trucks from the 1960s were once everywhere, but today many younger drivers wouldn’t even recognize these classic workhorses.

July 23, 2026 Allison Robertson

CAR TIPS

I Bought A Pickup Truck For Occasional Hauling, But I Underestimated How Much Fuel Prices Would Affect My Budget. Did I Overbuy?

I bought my pickup truck thinking it would be the perfect vehicle for the occasional home project, furniture haul, or weekend trailer trip. I never expected that the real shock would come every time I pulled up to the gas pump, where routine fill ups started taking a bigger bite out of my budget than I had ever imagined. If you've ever wondered whether the convenience of owning a truck is really worth the ongoing fuel costs, the answer may surprise you.

July 22, 2026 Sammy Tran

A vintage 1970s print advertisement featuring a bright orange 1977 Ford Pinto parked on a sandy beach.

CAR HISTORY

Forgotten Economy Cars That Every American Would Have Recognized Back In The Day. Did You Ever Drive One?

Before crossovers took over American roads, inexpensive hatchbacks, sedans, and oddly shaped subcompacts carried commuters, students, and entire families through everyday life. Some were clever, some were crude, and a few became famous for all the wrong reasons.

July 23, 2026 Miles Rook

CAR TIPS

My Garage Is Too Small For Modern Vehicles, And Parking Has Become A Daily Headache. Are Cars Getting Too Big?

When my house was built, the garage seemed perfectly adequate for the family cars of the day. Today, squeezing inside often feels like a puzzle. That raises an interesting question. Have garages stayed the same while vehicles kept growing?

July 23, 2026 Jane O'Shea

HOME > GUIDES

December 18, 2024

AUTHOR

Jesse Singer

Jesse Singer is a writer from Montreal who grew up obsessed with movies—and so it only makes sense that he graduated from McGill University with a degree in Political Science. He then put that degree to good use with a job at a video store (remember those?). He followed that up with months backpacking around Europe (a continent he’s returned to many times). And for the last couple decades he’s been writing online, and in print, for a number of different sites and publications covering everything from film & TV to website reviews, dating & culture, history, news, and sports. He’s worn many hats—which is ironic, because he loves wearing hats and has a rather sizable collection.

TRENDING

WEEKLY UPDATE

Incredible car content, automotive deals, and driving tips delivered right to your inbox

TRENDING

My car’s safety sensors keep malfunctioning in heavy rain and snow. Is this new tech really ready for real weather?

The Top 10 States With The Most Car Thefts

The Top 10 States With The Most Car Thefts

The State Of Car Thefts In America

10: Total Thefts

10: Percentage Increase

9: Total Thefts

9: Percentage Increase

8: Total Thefts

8: Percentage Increase

7: Total Thefts

7: Percentage Increase

6: Total Thefts

6: Percentage Increase

5: Total Thefts

5: Percentage Increase

4: Total Thefts

4: Percentage Increase

3: Total Thefts

3: Percentage Increase

2: Total Thefts

2: Percentage Increase

1: Total Thefts

1: Percentage Increase

READ MORE

My car’s safety sensors keep malfunctioning in heavy rain and snow. Is this new tech really ready for real weather?

Classic Station Wagons From The 1960s That No One Has Seen In Years—How Many Do You Remember?

Pickup Trucks From The 1960s That No One Remembers—Seriously, How Many Do You Recognize?

I Bought A Pickup Truck For Occasional Hauling, But I Underestimated How Much Fuel Prices Would Affect My Budget. Did I Overbuy?

Forgotten Economy Cars That Every American Would Have Recognized Back In The Day. Did You Ever Drive One?

My Garage Is Too Small For Modern Vehicles, And Parking Has Become A Daily Headache. Are Cars Getting Too Big?

Want to read more?