Vehicle Theft Hotspots: Which Cities Are Worst and How to Protect Yourself

Vehicle Theft Is Surging in Some Cities

While many crime categories have been declining, vehicle theft has bucked the trend in several major metro areas. Cities across the country have seen significant increases in car theft, driven in part by viral social media trends that spread techniques for stealing certain makes and models, and by organized theft rings that chop or export stolen vehicles.

The cities with the highest vehicle theft rates are not always the ones you would expect. Some relatively safe cities by other measures have disproportionate vehicle theft problems because of their geographic position on trafficking routes or the prevalence of certain vulnerable vehicle models in their area.

Cities With the Highest Vehicle Theft Rates

Metro areas in California, including Bakersfield, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Stockton, have historically posted some of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the Midwest, cities like Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Cleveland have seen major spikes. Denver, Albuquerque, and several Pacific Northwest cities have also been significantly affected.

Check your city's specific vehicle theft rate on SafeCityPeek by searching for it. The property crime breakdown will show you how vehicle theft compares to other categories in your area. If it is disproportionately high, the prevention tips below become especially important.

Why Some Cars Are Targeted More Often

Older vehicles without modern anti-theft technology are stolen more frequently because they are easier to steal. Full-size pickup trucks and certain SUVs are popular targets because of their resale value, both whole and as parts. Some specific models have been targeted in waves due to known security vulnerabilities that became widely known through social media.

Newer vehicles with keyless entry systems face a different risk: relay attacks, where thieves use devices to amplify the key fob signal from inside your house to unlock and start the car in your driveway. This technology-enabled theft is growing in areas with high concentrations of newer vehicles.

Practical Prevention Steps

Vehicle theft prevention comes down to making your car a harder target than the one next to it. Thieves are opportunistic and will move to an easier target if yours presents obstacles.

• Always lock your car and close all windows, even in your own driveway
• Never leave keys or a spare key fob in the vehicle
• Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas
• Use a steering wheel lock as a visible deterrent
• If you have keyless entry, store your fob in a signal-blocking pouch at home
• Install an aftermarket GPS tracker so the vehicle can be located if stolen
• Do not leave valuables visible inside the car, which invites break-ins that can escalate

What Cities Are Doing About It

Some cities have launched dedicated vehicle theft task forces, partnered with manufacturers on anti-theft upgrades, and increased bait car deployments. Cities that have treated vehicle theft as a priority rather than a nuisance crime have generally seen results.

Milwaukee, for example, responded to its vehicle theft surge with a multi-pronged strategy including free steering wheel locks for owners of targeted models, enhanced prosecution, and youth intervention programs aimed at the young people who were committing many of the thefts. Results have been mixed but the approach is more comprehensive than simply adding patrols.

Factoring Vehicle Theft Into Your City Choice

If you own a vehicle, vehicle theft rates should be part of your city evaluation. A city with excellent violent crime numbers but sky-high vehicle theft is going to create a specific kind of daily frustration, especially if you rely on your car for commuting. Compare vehicle theft rates on SafeCityPeek alongside other crime metrics to get the full picture before making a decision. Check the safest cities to see which places keep all categories low.