While official statistics vary and depend on the type of crime, Alice Springs in the Northern Territory is frequently cited as having Australia's highest overall crime rates, particularly for violent offences and domestic violence, relative to its population, though other areas like Rockhampton also appear high on lists. Major cities like Melbourne also see high numbers of incidents due to population size, but rates per capita can differ.
Top 10 most dangerous cities in Australia
Canberra consistently ranks as Australia's safest city with the lowest crime rate, often cited as having low violent and property crime, followed closely by Adelaide and Hobart, according to various 2024-2025 analyses using data from sources like Numbeo, highlighting its high safety index and liveability.
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Which is safer, Sydney or Melbourne? According to the reports, Sydney is safer than Melbourne because of its higher safety index and lower crime rate. Additionally, Sydney has some outer suburbs with a 90+ safety index.
Melbourne is Australia's most liveable city (as ranked by Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index for 2022) and is popular among sport lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, it is important to take extra precautions to ensure your safety during the night. Millions of people feel unsafe walking alone at night. From 2021 to 2022, about 2.9 million men and 6.2 million women opted not to walk alone in their local area after dark.
There are many safe cities in the U.S. Large cities like Irvine, CA and Virginia Beach, VA rank among the lowest (83.97 and 92.28 per 100,000, respectively). Other sizable cities, such as Gilbert, AZ, Plano, TX and Honolulu, HI also report crime rates well below the national average of 361 per 100,000.
The most common type of offence in 2016-17 was illicit drug offences (20%), with sexual assault and related offences increasing by 3%, being the sixth successive annual increase and a total increase of 40%.
Queensland is sunny and humid, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Melbourne and Tasmania are cooler compared to other Australian states. Adelaide and Perth have warm, dry summers and mild winters, which might suit you if you're into warmer weather.
Hobart, Tasmania, is widely recognized as the cheapest major city, but smaller regional towns in Queensland and South Australia can offer even lower living costs.
What are the poorest suburbs in Australia? According to the ATO's latest figures, the lowest-earning suburbs in Australia are Callaghan and Newcastle University, which are located in the city of Newcastle in New South Wales. See the full list of postcodes below.
Melbourne and Victoria are renowned across the globe for their safe living environments. Victoria's stable political system, low crime rates, welcoming communities and harmonious multicultural community ensure that students can learn effectively and enjoy their study experience in safety.
Homicide rate: Australia's homicide rate hovers around 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. rate of approximately 6 per 100,000. Property crime: Both countries experience property crime, but Australia's rates are generally lower, and violent property crimes (like armed burglary) are less common.
1. Memphis. Memphis has one of the highest crime rates in the country at 2,437 per 100,000 people, with assault leading the list. The city has addressed these issues through targeted policing and community engagement initiatives.
Parks and trails can be serene, but isolated walking paths may make you susceptible to opportunistic attackers or those lying in wait. Always use well-lit routes and avoid secluded areas at night.
Crime rate by country 2025: 10 countries with the highest crime...
Considering all the above-mentioned factors, Wallethub determined the following rankings for the most dangerous states in 2023, starting with the most dangerous.
Iceland consistently ranks as the country with the lowest crime rate and highest level of peacefulness, leading the Global Peace Index for many years due to its strong community, low gun violence (police don't carry guns), and high social welfare, followed by other small, stable European nations like Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Switzerland.
Canberra is officially Australia's #1 safest city, with a crime index rating of 26 out of 100. That places it as the 49th safest city in the world. This ranking comes from Compare the Market Australia, which analysed 6 years of public data from Numbeo's crime index.
While Melbourne is generally safe, avoid staying in areas with higher crime rates like Dandenong, Broadmeadows, Frankston, Sunshine, and parts of the inner-city (Carlton, Fitzroy) if safety is a major concern, especially late at night, due to higher instances of theft and disturbances; instead, focus on well-connected, central areas like the CBD or Southbank for convenience and better amenities, understanding that high-traffic entertainment zones also see more minor crime.
People have been leaving Melbourne primarily due to high housing costs, seeking more affordable lifestyles and space in regional areas or other states like Queensland, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic's remote work opportunities. Other factors include a desire for warmer weather, perceived lifestyle quality (more relaxed pace), concerns about cost of living, transport issues, and, for some, frustrations with state governance and increased crime, although recent data suggests the outflow might be slowing as other areas become less affordable.