Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is not one of America’s most violent states overall, but crime is not spread evenly across the state. Some cities and boroughs report much higher violent crime, property crime, or both, especially when crime is measured per resident instead of by raw totals.

This ranking looks at places in Pennsylvania where reported crime is high enough to raise real safety concerns. The focus is mainly on violent crime, including homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, because those offenses are most closely tied to personal safety. Property crime is included separately because theft, burglary, and vehicle crime affect daily life but do not mean the same thing as violence.

Before using this list to judge a city, keep one thing in mind: crime can vary sharply from one neighborhood to the next. A city can have a high overall crime rate and still contain safe residential blocks, improving business districts, universities, parks, and commuter areas.

How This Ranking Was Built

This article uses publicly available crime information from the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting Program, local law enforcement reporting where available, and city-level crime summaries that analyze FBI-reported data.

The main ranking factor is the violent crime rate per resident, not just the total number of crimes. This matters because Philadelphia will naturally report more crimes than a small borough, but a smaller place can have a higher risk per person.

For clarity, this article uses the following definitions:

Violent crime: homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
Property crime: burglary, larceny/theft, motor vehicle theft, and related property offenses.

Crime rate: the number of reported crimes adjusted for population, usually shown per 1,000 or per 100,000 residents.

Important limitation: Crime rankings are not perfect. Reporting practices change, small populations can distort rates, and some crimes are never reported. This list should be used as a safety overview, not as a final judgment on whether an entire city is safe or unsafe.

Quick Comparison Table

Rank	City or Borough	County	Main Safety Concern	Why It Ranks High
1	McKeesport	Allegheny County	Violent crime and property crime	High violent crime rate compared with both Pennsylvania and national averages
2	Chester	Delaware County	Violent crime	Long-running violent crime issues and above-average property crime
3	Darby	Delaware County	Violent crime	Small population with a high reported violent crime rate
4	McKees Rocks	Allegheny County	Total crime rate	High overall crime rate for a small borough
5	York	York County	Violent crime and shootings	Higher violent crime than many similarly sized Pennsylvania cities
6	Reading	Berks County	Violent crime and property crime	Urban crime pressure in a dense city with economic challenges
7	Harrisburg	Dauphin County	Violent crime	Higher crime concentration than many Pennsylvania cities of similar size
8	Philadelphia	Philadelphia County	Violent crime, shootings, and theft	Large raw crime totals and major neighborhood-by-neighborhood variation
9	Allentown	Lehigh County	Property crime and violent crime pockets	Higher crime burden than many Lehigh Valley suburbs
10	Altoona	Blair County	Property crime and drug-related crime	Persistent crime concerns despite a smaller-city profile

1. McKeesport

McKeesport ranks near the top because its violent crime rate is far higher than the Pennsylvania average. Located in Allegheny County, southeast of Pittsburgh, McKeesport has struggled with disinvestment, population decline, and public safety challenges for years.

The city is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of downtown Pittsburgh. That location gives residents access to the Pittsburgh metro area, but it has not protected McKeesport from serious local crime concerns.

City-level crime summaries based on FBI-reported data show McKeesport with a violent crime rate much higher than both the state and national median. Property crime is also a concern, especially theft, burglary, and vehicle-related crime.

McKeesport is not dangerous on every street, and many residents live normal daily lives there. But from a statewide comparison standpoint, its combination of violent crime, property crime, and small-city population makes it one of the most concerning places in Pennsylvania for crime risk.

Why McKeesport ranks high

High violent crime rate per resident
Property crime well above many Pennsylvania communities
Long-term economic decline and population loss
Crime risk that is high even after adjusting for population

2. Chester

Chester is one of the most frequently cited high-crime cities in Pennsylvania. It sits in Delaware County along the Delaware River, southwest of Philadelphia. The city is only about 16 miles (26 km) from Center City Philadelphia, but it has a very different economic and public safety profile from many surrounding suburbs.

Chester’s crime problem is not new. The city has faced decades of industrial decline, poverty, fiscal stress, and violent crime. While some parts of Chester are home to institutions, waterfront development, and stable residential blocks, the city’s overall violent crime rate remains a major concern.

Crime summaries based on FBI-reported data show Chester with a violent crime rate above the Pennsylvania average. Property crime is also elevated, though the city’s reputation is driven more by violent crime than by theft alone.

Why Chester ranks high

Persistent violent crime concerns
Above-average property crime
Long-term economic stress
High crime rate compared with many nearby Delaware County communities

3. Darby

Darby is a small borough in Delaware County, located about 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Center City Philadelphia. Because Darby has a relatively small population, even a moderate number of serious offenses can create a high per-capita crime rate.

That does not mean every part of Darby is unsafe. It does mean crime should be judged carefully using rates, not just raw totals. In smaller boroughs, per-capita rankings can move sharply from year to year.

Darby often appears in Pennsylvania crime discussions because its violent crime rate is high compared with many communities of similar size. Robbery, aggravated assault, and property crime are the main concerns.

Why Darby ranks high

High violent crime rate for a small borough
Close connection to broader Philadelphia-area crime patterns
Small population, which magnifies per-capita rates
Elevated robbery and assault concerns

4. McKees Rocks

McKees Rocks is a borough in Allegheny County, located about 5 miles (8 km) northwest of downtown Pittsburgh. Like several older industrial communities in western Pennsylvania, it has faced economic hardship, population decline, and public safety concerns.

McKees Rocks often appears in crime rankings because of its high total crime rate relative to its population. Property crime is a major part of the picture, but violent crime has also contributed to its reputation.

Small boroughs need careful interpretation. A few dozen additional crimes in a year can significantly change the rate. Still, McKees Rocks has appeared often enough in high-crime comparisons that it belongs on this list.

Why McKees Rocks ranks high

High overall crime rate for a small community
Property crime and violent crime both contribute to risk
Close proximity to Pittsburgh-area crime networks
Small population increases rate volatility

5. York

York is a midsized city in south-central Pennsylvania, about 26 miles (42 km) south of Harrisburg and about 56 miles (90 km) north of Baltimore. It has a historic downtown, strong manufacturing roots, and several revitalization efforts, but it also has persistent violent crime concerns.

York’s crime problem is more serious than what many visitors expect from a smaller Pennsylvania city. Shootings, aggravated assaults, robberies, and neighborhood-level violence have kept York on crime-watch lists for years.

The city is not uniformly unsafe. Some neighborhoods are stable, and downtown investment has improved parts of the city. But compared with many Pennsylvania municipalities of similar size, York has a higher violent crime burden.

Why York ranks high

Higher violent crime than many similarly sized Pennsylvania cities
Recurring concerns about shootings and assaults
Dense urban neighborhoods with uneven safety conditions
Crime risk that varies sharply by area

6. Reading

Reading is the county seat of Berks County and one of Pennsylvania’s larger cities. It is about 63 miles (101 km) northwest of Philadelphia and about 59 miles (95 km) southwest of Allentown by road.

Reading has a complicated safety profile. It is not usually the most violent city in Pennsylvania, but it has enough violent crime, property crime, and quality-of-life issues to rank among the state’s more concerning cities.

Economic hardship is part of the story. Reading has worked through poverty, aging housing stock, and neighborhood disinvestment. Those conditions do not automatically cause crime, but they often overlap with higher rates of theft, assault, and street-level disorder.

Why Reading ranks high

Higher crime burden than many surrounding Berks County communities
Both violent crime and property crime concerns
Dense neighborhoods with uneven public safety conditions
Long-running economic challenges

7. Harrisburg

Harrisburg is Pennsylvania’s capital city and the seat of Dauphin County. It is located along the Susquehanna River, about 107 miles (172 km) west of Philadelphia and about 203 miles (327 km) east of Pittsburgh.

Harrisburg has government offices, riverfront areas, historic neighborhoods, and commuter communities nearby. But within the city itself, violent crime has remained a concern, especially in certain neighborhoods.

The city’s crime rate should not be confused with the safety of the broader Harrisburg metro area. Many nearby suburbs have much lower crime rates. The risk is concentrated inside specific parts of the city.

Why Harrisburg ranks high

Higher violent crime than many Pennsylvania cities
Neighborhood-level concentration of shootings and assaults
Urban poverty and housing instability in some areas
Sharp contrast between city crime and nearby suburban safety

8. Philadelphia

Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city, so it has the highest raw number of crimes in the state. But raw totals do not automatically make it the most dangerous city per resident. That is why Philadelphia does not rank first on this list.

Still, Philadelphia belongs here because its public safety challenges are significant. The city has dealt with serious gun violence, robberies, car thefts, retail theft, and neighborhood-level crime. Safety varies dramatically from one part of the city to another.

Center City, University City, parts of South Philadelphia, and many residential neighborhoods can feel very different from areas with higher shooting or robbery rates. Visitors and residents should judge Philadelphia by neighborhood, not by the citywide average alone.

Philadelphia is about 95 miles (153 km) southwest of New York City and about 139 miles (224 km) northeast of Washington, D.C., making it one of the most important urban centers in the Northeast. Its size, density, and economic inequality all shape its crime profile.

Why Philadelphia ranks high

Highest raw crime totals in Pennsylvania
Serious neighborhood-level gun violence concerns
High theft and vehicle crime in some areas
Large variation between safer and higher-risk neighborhoods

9. Allentown

Allentown is Pennsylvania’s third-largest city and the largest city in the Lehigh Valley. It is about 62 miles (100 km) north of Philadelphia and about 91 miles (146 km) west of New York City.

Allentown is not as dangerous as its worst reputation suggests, but it still has a higher crime burden than many nearby suburbs. Property crime, assaults, robberies, and quality-of-life issues are the main concerns.

The city has seen redevelopment and economic growth in parts of downtown, but that improvement is uneven. Some neighborhoods remain more affected by poverty, drug activity, and violence than others.

Why Allentown ranks high

Higher crime than many Lehigh Valley suburbs
Property crime and violent crime both present concerns
Large city challenges compared with smaller nearby communities
Uneven safety conditions by neighborhood

10. Altoona

Altoona is located in Blair County in central Pennsylvania. It sits about 98 miles (158 km) east of Pittsburgh and about 132 miles (212 km) west of Harrisburg by road.

Altoona is not usually viewed as one of Pennsylvania’s most violent cities, but it appears on many crime lists because of its property crime, drug-related issues, and recurring public safety concerns. Compared with larger cities, its violent crime profile may be less severe, but residents still face elevated risk in some categories.

Altoona’s inclusion depends heavily on whether a ranking emphasizes total crime, property crime, or violent crime. If violent crime alone is used, other Pennsylvania cities may rank above it. If overall crime and quality-of-life offenses are included, Altoona becomes more relevant.

Why Altoona ranks high

Property crime concerns
Drug-related crime and quality-of-life issues
Higher crime pressure than many rural Pennsylvania communities
More relevant in total-crime rankings than violent-crime-only rankings

Is Philadelphia the Most Dangerous City in Pennsylvania?

Not necessarily. Philadelphia usually has the most reported crimes because it has by far the largest population in Pennsylvania. But when crime is adjusted per resident, smaller cities and boroughs such as McKeesport, Chester, Darby, and McKees Rocks can rank higher.

This is why crime rankings should always separate raw crime totals from crime rates. Raw totals show the total number of incidents. Crime rates show the risk relative to population.

Why Small Towns Sometimes Rank Higher Than Big Cities

Small towns and boroughs can look extremely dangerous in crime rankings because they have fewer residents. For example, if a borough with 6,000 residents reports 60 violent crimes, that produces a rate of 1,000 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. A much larger city could report many more crimes but still have a lower rate per resident.

That does not mean small-town crime should be ignored. It means the numbers need context. A high rate in a small borough may reflect a real public safety problem, but it may also swing sharply from year to year.

Most Dangerous Areas vs. Most Dangerous Cities

A citywide ranking can hide the most important detail: crime is local. In almost every city on this list, risk changes by neighborhood, block, time of day, and type of crime.

For example, a city may have:

A downtown area with theft and nightlife-related incidents
Residential neighborhoods with very little violent crime
Specific corridors with higher robbery or assault risk
Commercial areas with more vehicle break-ins

Before moving to or visiting any city, check neighborhood-level crime maps, local police updates, and recent resident discussions. Citywide averages are useful, but they are not enough.

Safety Tips for Visiting or Moving to a Higher-Crime Pennsylvania City

Check recent local police reports before choosing a neighborhood.
Look at both violent crime and property crime, not just one number.
Visit the area during the day and after dark before signing a lease.
Ask local residents about specific blocks, not just the city name.

Use secure parking where vehicle theft or break-ins are common.
Compare nearby suburbs if commute distance is flexible.
Review school, transit, and walkability data alongside crime data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most dangerous city in Pennsylvania?

McKeesport, Chester, Darby, and McKees Rocks are among the most concerning places in Pennsylvania when crime is adjusted for population. The answer depends on whether the ranking uses violent crime, property crime, total crime, or homicide rate.

Is Pennsylvania a dangerous state?

No. Pennsylvania’s statewide violent crime rate is generally lower than many high-crime states. The issue is concentration. A small number of cities and boroughs account for a larger share of serious crime.

Why is Philadelphia not ranked number one?

Philadelphia has the most total crime because it is the largest city in Pennsylvania. But when crime is measured per resident, several smaller municipalities can have higher rates.

Are these cities unsafe for visitors?

Not automatically. Visitors should pay attention to neighborhood, time of day, transportation, and parking. Many high-crime cities still have safer districts, business corridors, campuses, parks, and residential areas.

What is the safest way to compare crime between cities?

Use crime rates per 100,000 residents, compare the same year of data, separate violent crime from property crime, and check whether all cities reported data consistently.

Final Thoughts

The most dangerous cities in Pennsylvania are not always the biggest cities. Smaller places such as McKeesport, Chester, Darby, and McKees Rocks can rank high because their crime rates are severe relative to their populations. Larger cities such as Philadelphia, Allentown, Reading, Harrisburg, and York have broader urban crime challenges, but risk varies heavily by neighborhood.

The fairest way to read this list is not as a warning to avoid entire cities. It is a reminder to look closely at local crime data, neighborhood conditions, and recent trends before visiting, moving, investing, or choosing a place to live.