Louisiana has been ranked the 2nd most dangerous state in America for 2026
Louisiana ranked 49th on WalletHub’s list of the safest states in the, making it the second least safe state in the U.S.
In the U.S., a violent crime occurred every 25.9 seconds in 2024, according to FBI crime statistics released in 2025.
This fact can make citizens fear for their own safety and their loved ones. However, depending on where you live, you may be safer than other areas.
The state also ranked 37th for personal and residential safety, 49th for financial safety, 42nd for road safety, 43rd for workplace safety and 49th for emergency preparedness.
Within the study, Louisiana was found to have the third-most law enforcement employees per capita, third-most assaults per capita and the highest total loss amount from climate disasters per capita.
In comparison, Vermont ranked as the safest state in the U.S., as it has the third-highest percentage of parents who believe they live in safe neighborhoods, the 15th-fewest aggravated assaults, sixth-fewest murders and nonnegligent manslaughters, as well as the 21st-fewest thefts per capita.
- 3rd-most assaults per capita
- 5th-highest violent crime rate nationally (520 offenses per 100,000 people; 495 recorded homicides in 2024)
- 2nd-highest firearm death rate in the U.S. (behind Mississippi)
- Highest total loss amount from climate disasters per capita
Ranked 50th overall (last place) in the U.S. News & World Report Best States Index, scoring poorly across crime, education, health care, and the economy.
Ranked among the worst states to live in by CNBC’s Top States for Business report, receiving an “F” grade for quality of life (89 out of 290 points), while noting childcare and air quality as local strengths.
