Study Finds Oakland Leads U.S. Cities in Vehicle Theft Rates
National vehicle thefts dropped 35% since 2023, but a new analysis shows Oakland, California has the highest theft rate at 1,459 per 100,000 residents, followed by St. Louis and Minneapolis.
A 2025 report compiled by American Trucks, based on statistics from the FBI, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Highway Loss Data Institute, shows that U.S. vehicle thefts have declined 35% from their 2023 peak, yet the crime persists in several major metros. Oakland, California leads with 1,459 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents, a rate city officials say should not be tolerated. St. Louis follows at 1,172, Minneapolis at 1,141, Dayton at 1,118 and Philadelphia at 1,015, with each city’s mayor—Cara Spencer, Jacob Frey, Shenise Turner-Sloss and Cherelle Parker—publicly pledging action.
The study also highlights dramatic increases since 2019 in Washington, DC (110% rise), Pennsylvania (106%) and New York State (94%). Law-enforcement leaders and crime-prevention expert John Lott suggest that making auto theft riskier for criminals is essential to further reductions. Despite the national decline, the data underscores lingering vulnerabilities in urban areas.
Why it matters
Understanding which cities face the highest car-theft risk helps residents and policymakers target prevention efforts.
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