Texas is famous for Friday night football, cowboys, big trucks, and breathtaking sunsets. But recently, the Lone Star State has gained a less flattering reputation—it’s being labeled as one of the most dangerous states in the U.S.
A new WalletHub study analyzed safety across all 50 states, and the results weren’t good for Texas. The state ranked 3rd most dangerous in the nation, falling behind only Louisiana and Mississippi.
Let’s break down how this ranking was determined and what it means for Texans.
How the Safest and Most Dangerous States Were Ranked
WalletHub used 52 key metrics to compare each state’s safety, grouping them into five major categories:
- Personal & Residential Safety – Crime rates, assaults, and thefts
- Financial Safety – Unemployment, fraud cases, and debt levels
- Road Safety – Traffic fatalities, reckless driving, and infrastructure
- Workplace Safety – Injuries and fatalities at work
- Emergency Preparedness – Natural disaster response and readiness
The safest states excelled in infrastructure maintenance, economic strength, and disaster preparedness. Meanwhile, the most dangerous states struggled with high crime rates, poor road conditions, and low emergency readiness.
Top 10 Safest States in the U.S.
According to the study, these states ranked as the safest in America:
- Vermont
- New Hampshire
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Utah
- Hawaii
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
- Rhode Island
- Wyoming
These states generally have low crime rates, well-maintained roadways, strong job markets, and high disaster preparedness.
Where Does Texas Rank?
Texas Is the 3rd Most Dangerous State in the U.S.
Texas scored poorly in most of the study’s safety categories:
- #39 in Personal & Residential Safety
- #38 in Financial Safety
- #44 in Road Safety
- #32 in Workplace Safety
- #48 in Emergency Preparedness
The biggest concerns for Texas include high crime rates, poor road safety, and weak emergency preparedness.
Top 10 Most Dangerous States in the U.S.
According to the study, these are the most dangerous states:
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Texas
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Oklahoma
- Alabama
- Colorado
- Georgia
- South Carolina
These states tend to have higher crime rates, unsafe roads, and lower emergency preparedness compared to the rest of the country.
Why Is Texas So Dangerous?
Several factors contribute to Texas’ low ranking, including:
1. High Crime Rates
- Texas ranks 39th in personal and residential safety, meaning it has high crime rates, including violent crimes and property theft.
- Large metropolitan areas like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio have some of the highest crime rates in the state.
2. Poor Road Safety
- Texas ranks 44th in road safety, struggling with high traffic fatalities, reckless driving, and poor road conditions.
- The state’s vast highways and urban sprawl make it difficult to maintain safe roadways.
3. Low Emergency Preparedness
- Texas ranks 48th in emergency preparedness, meaning it is not well-equipped to handle natural disasters, extreme weather, and other crises.
- Hurricanes, tornadoes, and winter storms have caused massive damage in recent years, and response efforts have often been criticized.
4. Workplace Safety Concerns
- Texas ranks 32nd in workplace safety, meaning there are higher injury rates and fewer worker protections than in safer states.
- Industries like construction, oil, and manufacturing contribute to higher workplace accident rates.