Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas Ranked Most Dangerous U.S. States in 2025
A WalletHub study highlights stark differences in safety across the U.S., revealing risks from crime, infrastructure, and emergency preparedness.
A recent study by WalletHub, a leading financial analytics platform, has identified Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas as the most dangerous U.S. states in 2025. The ranking is based on a comprehensive analysis of various social and economic safety indicators.
The report examined all 50 states and Washington D.C. across 52 key metrics, divided into five major categories: personal and residential safety, financial security, road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness. Using a weighted scoring system, WalletHub calculated an overall safety score for each state.
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas Among Most Dangerous States; Vermont Tops Safety Rankings
Louisiana ranked last with 36.2 points out of 100, followed by Mississippi at 36.77 and Texas at 38.14. Florida came in fourth, and Arkansas fifth with 40.16 points. On the other hand, Vermont topped the list as the safest state with 67.22 points, followed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Utah.
These findings come amid ongoing debates over domestic security policies in the U.S., especially as crime prevention remains a top priority in several states.
Michael Scott, a professor at Arizona State University, noted that the concept of “danger” varies widely even within the same state, depending on neighborhoods and regions. Some states face natural hazards like hurricanes or wildfires, while others struggle with inadequate crime prevention legislation. He added that adequate infrastructure funding, strict gun laws, and expanded mental health services are critical to improving safety levels.
Experts Highlight Key Factors Behind State Safety Rankings and Ongoing Disparities
Chip Lobo, a WalletHub analyst, emphasized that the safest states succeed by protecting citizens across multiple areas — from reducing crime and road accidents to ensuring financial stability and promoting community engagement in emergency preparedness.
A previous report from Whitley Law Firm also ranked Louisiana as the most dangerous state for families, citing crime rates, air and water quality, road safety, and birth complications as key factors.
While the safety landscape in the U.S. is expected to evolve with economic, political, and legislative changes, current data reveal significant disparities between states, indicating that achieving a comprehensive balance between social and economic safety remains a long-term challenge.
