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

ICONIC CARS

Forgotten American Coupes That Tried To Keep Personal Luxury Alive

Explore forgotten American luxury coupes from the 1950s through the 1980s, from Studebaker Hawks and AMC oddities to Cordobas, Miradas, and more.

September 1, 2026 Jack Hawkins

CAR HISTORY

Forgotten Family Cars From The 1990s That Were Everywhere Before SUVs Took Over

September 1, 2026 Quinn Mercer

CAR TIPS

My car’s driver profile still has the previous owner’s addresses saved. Is that not a serious safety issue?

Your used car still has the previous owner's addresses saved. Learn why it's a privacy risk, what data your car stores, and how to erase it.

September 1, 2026 Allison Robertson

A-generated image of a man excited about the longevity of his the regenerative brakes on his hybrid car.

CAR TIPS

My hybrid’s brake repair surprised me because the pads lasted so long. Are hybrids cheaper or just different to maintain?

Most drivers don’t get excited about brake wear. But when a hybrid goes years before needing pads, it’s hard not to notice that something is different.

September 1, 2026 Peter Kinney

AI-generated image of a man worried about undisclosed add-ons to his financing deal.

CAR TIPS

I agreed to one monthly car payment, but the finance office added products I didn’t understand. Can I cancel them once I've signed the contract?

You agreed to a monthly payment that seemed manageable, signed a stack of paperwork, and drove away. Then you looked closely and found GAP coverage or other products buried in the financing.

September 1, 2026 Quinn Mercer

AI-generated image of a man with armed crossed at a car dealership

CAR TIPS

I bought a used car listed as certified, but the warranty excludes almost everything. Does certified actually mean anything?

Learn what certified pre-owned really means, why used car warranties contain so many exclusions, and how to verify coverage, challenge denied claims, and protect yourself before buying at the dealership.

September 1, 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 condo board says I need approval before installing an EV charger—what am I supposed to do until then?

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

Forgotten American Coupes That Tried To Keep Personal Luxury Alive

Forgotten Family Cars From The 1990s That Were Everywhere Before SUVs Took Over

My car’s driver profile still has the previous owner’s addresses saved. Is that not a serious safety issue?

My hybrid’s brake repair surprised me because the pads lasted so long. Are hybrids cheaper or just different to maintain?

I agreed to one monthly car payment, but the finance office added products I didn’t understand. Can I cancel them once I've signed the contract?

I bought a used car listed as certified, but the warranty excludes almost everything. Does certified actually mean anything?

Want to read more?