The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Florida

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Florida For 2024

You know those “Florida Man” memes? Chances are at least one of those is straight out of Florida City, Florida’s most dangerous city.

With 3 murders happening over a year in a city of just 11,826, Florida City is officially the murder capital of the state. Violent crime as a whole is shockingly common, with residents facing a 1 in 34 chance of being the victim of a violent crime throughout the year. Overall, running into an alligator at Everglades National Park is a whole lot less likely than being attacked in Florida City.

The property crime rate in Florida City is also the fourth highest statewide, and the overall crime rate is nearly 300% higher than the nationwide average.

Florida City is 45 minutes southwest of Miami.

Lake City may be known as the Gateway to Florida, but it’s also the gateway to an uncomfortable amount of crime. You don’t need to go to the Civil War reenactments at Lake City’s annual Olustee Festival to see a battlefield, because the city has the third highest violent crime rate in Florida.

Residents of Lake City also have a 1 in 18 chance of being robbed or having their property damaged over a year, so it’s not the sort of place you want to leave your house unlocked either.

Located just north of Miami, Opa Locka comes in as the third most dangerous place to live in Florida. While that may sound bad, consider the fact that Opa Lock had the highest violent crime rate in the country in 2004.

While improvements have certainly been made since then, we think the residents of Opa Locka would still like to have slightly lower odds than 1 in 50 chance of being the victim of a violent crime over a year, the second highest rate in Florida.

Property crime is also all too common; with about one car theft every three days and a burglary every other day, Opa Locka’s property crime rate is the seventh highest statewide.

There’s a lot to love about Miami Beach — from the exceptional nightlife at South Beach, to the daytime fun at the boardwalk, to the historic and picturesque Spanish-inspired Espanola Way, there’s a reason tourists flock here.

But while tourism brings a lot of money to the community, it also contributes to Miami Beach’s high crime rate. By and large, property crime is the bigger issue in Miami Beach, with a person having a 1 in 6,763 chance of having their property robbed or vandalized. On the bright side, no city on this list has a lower murder rate than Miami Beach.

We’re taking our first trip to Florida Panhandle to reach the state’s fifth most dangerous city, Panama City Beach. Known for its sugar-white sandy beaches and top-notch shopping at Pier Park, Panama City Beach is a big draw for tourists from all over.

However, tourism also contributes to Panama City Beach having the third highest rate of property crime in Florida. The city also has the unfortunate distinction of having the ninth highest rate of rape statewide. Panama City Beach has moved up a few spots on our list since last year, so things seem to be getting worse by the year here.

Situated on Florida’s east coast between Orlando and Cape Canaveral, the city of Cocoa has seen a moderate rise in crime in the past year.

Cocoa’s biggest problem is property crime, which ranks as the tenth highest in Florida. In fact, with so many property crimes, Cocoa’s overall crime rate is actually the eighth highest in the state and more than double the national average.

Cocoa is the least violent place on this list, but the city still had 213 cases of violence reported in 2022.

Perry ended up in the #7 spot on this list mostly due to high rates of violent crime. Perry’s residents had a 1 in 98 shot of being the victim of an attack in 2022.

Property crime as a whole isn’t so bad that you have to worry about thieves stealing your cell phone if you go for a dip in the ocean at Keaton Beach.

But you should definitely lock your doors in Perry, because the city had the third highest burglary rate in Florida, with a staggering 149 cases in a place with only 6,865 people.

When you think of Florida, certain visions come to mind. Beaches. Disney World. Speed boats riding along the coast. Well, you aren’t going to get any of that in Starke. Rather, you’ll find an inland community about 45 minutes southwest of Jacksonville.

The lack of ocean access is just the start of the problems. You’ll also find the number 8 most dangerous place in Florida. Violence represents a major problem in the area. In a community of just 5,415 people, Starke suffered 62 violent crimes. This brings the town the number 6 highest pace of this type of violation.

Disney World: the happiest place on Earth. When you’re in the park, everything is amazing. Nothing but smiling princesses and hugs from Mickey. Your biggest worry might be a long line for the Haunted Mansion. Outside the park, though? Things get a little more real.

Orlando represents one of the premiere communities in Florida. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous. In terms of violence, things are relatively subdued. But car theft has reached epidemic proportions. The community suffers the number 8.0 highest pace of these crimes in the state.

Quincy, settled in the heart of Florida in Gadsden County, is famed for its agricultural roots and historical significance. However, as we head into 2024, this city has garnered a less favorable reputation. Quincy currently holds the tenth rank for the most dangerous places to live in Florida.

With a population of 7,143, Quincy’s crime rates are alarmingly high. The city reported 55 violent crimes, including 1 murders and 3 rapes.284 property crimes, including 197 burglaries, contribute to its overall crime rate. The resulting figures place Quincy with the 23rd highest violent crime rate and the 14th highest property crime rate in the state.

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