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A new study has determined which states are the most at risk for car theft, by analyzing FBI 2023 crime data regarding motor vehicle thefts by state and comparing it to the number of registered vehicles in the same year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Nevada is the state with the most car theft risk according to the study, which was compiled by Tires Easy. This state has over 2.5 million registered vehicles and saw 21,639 motor vehicle thefts in 2023 — which is 177.09% above the average state's car theft rate.
Other top states include Washington and Colorado. Washington had 53,066 thefts among 6.8 million vehicles in 2023, which is 154.83% higher than car thefts in the average state. Colorado had 37,955 thefts across 5.4 million registered vehicles, 128.29% above the average theft rate.
Read more: How will auto insurance change in 2025?
"Car theft remains a persistent issue across the U.S., and with some states reporting notably higher rates than others, it's important for vehicle owners to know the threats they face," Gary Davis of Tires Easy said in a release. "The data may encourage some to adopt preventative strategies, like anti-theft devices."
Read more about the 10 states with the worst car theft.
States with the most car theft risk
| Rank | State | Thefts per 100,000
registered vehicles | Total registered
vehicles
(2023) | Number of reported
motor vehicle thefts
(2023) |
10
| Oregon
| 454.07
| 3,832,700
| 17,403
|
9
| Texas
| 482.56
| 25,796,600
| 124,483
|
8
| Tennessee
| 491.31
| 6,538,800
| 32,126
|
7
| Missouri
| 521.69
| 5,626,000
| 29,350
|
6
| California
| 531.54
| 36,850,300
| 195,875
|
5
| New Mexico
| 534.06
| 1,952,400
| 10,427
|
4
| Maryland
| 664.51
| 5,060,000
| 33,624
|
3
| Colorado
| 697.47
| 5,441,800
| 37,955
|
2
| Washington
| 778.54
| 6,816,100
| 53,066
|
1
| Nevada
| 846.56
| 2,556,100
| 21,639
|
