Property crime can affect anyone, at any time, anywhere in the U.S. Thieves can—and often do—steal cars, take postal packages from porches, break into homes, or otherwise forcibly take what doesn’t belong to them. Just how frequently people commit these crimes depends on multiple factors, not all of them apparent.
We reviewed recent data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crime Data Explorer to determine how property crime has fluctuated within the last five years. In addition to breaking down the latest statistics, we’ll define what a property crime is to contextualize our analysis. We’ll also provide tips on how you can protect yourself from crime to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
Key Takeaways
- Overall, property crime rates decreased by 2.4% year-over-year in 2023.
- Motor vehicle theft is the most common form of property theft.
- The American cities with the highest property crime rates are Seattle and San Francisco.
Property Crime Trends
In 2023, the property crime rate fell by 2.4% overall. Burglaries were down by 7.6%, and larceny fell by 4.4%. However, motor vehicle theft rates increased by 12.6%.
David Carter, Ph.D., a former police officer and current professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, says, “Generally, we are seeing all types of property crime—as well as violent crime—on the decline. While rates are still a little higher than pre-pandemic levels, they are going down.”
Livestock and firearms represented the lowest total value among stolen property types, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer. Stolen livestock accounted for $1.05 trillion in lost property value, the least of all listed property types. In contrast, the top five categories of the highest value of stolen property include the following:
- Miscellaneous items: $1,546,058,041,989
- Currency, monetary notes, etc.: $362,500,619,023
- Consumable goods: $262,570,778,449
- Clothing and furs: $260,323,550,393
- Locally stolen motor vehicles: $198,822,793,425
Of the more than $1.5 trillion in stolen miscellaneous property, only $84,648,438,607—roughly 5.48%—was successfully recovered. Locally stolen motor vehicles were the next highest property type recovered by value, at $47,304,840,219. Only $4,160,672 worth of livestock was recovered, or roughly 0.4%.
David Selinger, CEO of Deep Sentinel, says, “In a survey, Deep Sentinel asked renters about the types of crimes that are most prevalent in their apartment complexes. Renters named stolen packages (39%), car break-ins (27%), and unwanted visitors (26%) among the most frequent misdemeanors. These are followed by drug use (20%) and vandalism (20%).”
- As home security systems have become more widespread, burglars have adapted their tactics. Constable Henri Berube, a leading home security expert with Peel, Ontario, Regional Police, has observed the same pattern that played out in commercial settings: “They learned to do their work much faster,” says Berube. “They knew that the police response time might be five or six minutes; so they were able to get in and out in less than that and still make off with thousands of dollars’ worth of goods—particularly entertainment equipment and electronics.”
A Growing Target—Your Home’s Materials: TOH has tracked a troubling trend in property crime targeting building materials. As This Old House magazine reported, a rash of copper thefts has left homeowners without water, lights, and gutters. Elizabeth Barnes of Wayne County, North Carolina, discovered a river of water gushing from under her turn-of-the-century home—only to learn a thief had crawled underneath and stolen all the copper tubing. Police told Barnes her home was one of tens of thousands ravaged by copper theft, driven by soaring salvage prices that allow criminals to get as much as $3 per pound at scrap yards for plumbing and other copper components.
Expert Insight: Salvage yard owner Sean Wilkerson, co-owner of The Bank Architectural Antiques in New Orleans, has helped reunite many homeowners with stolen house parts. “I’ve had people come here and put a key into a front-door lock,” says Wilkerson. “If it fits, I can’t argue with that.” His experience underscores how stolen property—particularly architectural elements from older homes—often ends up recirculated through legitimate resale channels, making recovery difficult.
When Property Crime Hits Home: Property crime isn’t just about statistics—it can devastate homeowners in deeply personal ways. New Orleans resident Mike Bordelon experienced this firsthand after purchasing his 1860s shotgun house. Like many post-Katrina homeowners, Bordelon wasn’t living in the house while renovating it, leaving it vulnerable. Thieves struck twice: first swiping decorative trim from the facade, then returning to steal more. “They stole my hand truck and used it to haul out my pocket doors,” says Bordelon. The thieves also took decorative cast iron fireplace fronts, which were never recovered. Bordelon eventually found his stolen trim pieces at a salvage shop, where the thief had pawned them off as her own.
Motor Vehicle Theft
The rate of motor vehicle theft has fluctuated significantly over the past five years. The highest rates of car thefts occurred in December 2019 (93.6 vehicles per 100,000 people), April 2020 (80.5 vehicles per 100,000 people), and August 2020 (73.2 vehicles per 100,000 people). Motor vehicle theft counts peaked in these three months as well, with 295,969 counts in December 2019. Stolen cars averaged $66,778 in value.
Burglary
December has been the most common month for burglaries over the last five years. Rates peaked at 43.5 burglaries per 100,000 people and 137,637 burglary counts in the final month of 2019. December 2020 and 2022 also saw high burglary rates and counts. The average stolen value at residences during the day ($139,308) and during the night ($134,736) varied by $4,572. Twenty-nine percent of burglaries that targeted residences occurred during the day, while 22% occurred at night.
Pro Tip
- Robert McCrie, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, suggests installing good perimeter lighting tripped by a motion detector “so that as someone approaches the house at nighttime, the lights go on.” McCrie also stresses that windows—including those in kitchens, bathrooms, and attics—should be locked when a homeowner is out. “If just one window is open,” McCrie says, “a burglar will get in that way.”
- According to the Burglary Prevention Council, which tracks where intruders break in, the garage accounts for 9 percent of home break-ins—an often-overlooked vulnerability. A side-mounted indoor deadlock on the garage door offers extra security in case a burglar bypasses an electronic garage-door opener, and it’s one of the most affordable upgrades a homeowner can make.
Robbery
From 2020 to 2024, robbery counts were lowest in April 2021, with 9,114 counts (or 3.7 robberies per 100,000 people) compared to 34,401 counts (or 10.9 robberies per 100,000 people) recorded in December 2019. Similar to burglaries, robberies were high in December 2020 and 2022. At $216,485, residences had the highest average stolen value by location, but the FBI recorded the highest number of robbery counts—271,625 total—for highway robbery.
Larceny
Between 2020 and 2024, the highest counts of larceny—categorized by the FBI as “all other”—totaled 5,353,322. Theft from vehicles and shoplifting came in second and third with 4,205,599 and 3,744,213 counts, respectively. Again, December 2019, 2020, and 2022 were among the top three months for larceny rates and counts, with December 2019 ranking first by far. Larceny counts that month totaled 690,267, which equates to 218.3 instances of larceny per 100,000 people.
Property Crime Rates By City
According to the FBI, Seattle and San Francisco had the highest property crime rates in 2023 among big cities with more than 500,000 residents. Seattle’s burglary rate—1,201 burglaries per 100,000 residents—was the highest for the second consecutive year. San Francisco’s larceny rate was the highest, at 4,646 thefts per 100,000 residents.
Among medium cities—those with over 250,000 but 499,999 or fewer residents—Oakland, California, had the highest robbery rate, at 639 robberies per 100,000 residents. This West Coast city also ranked highest for larceny-theft, with 4,049 thefts per 100,000 residents. At 2,550 vehicles stolen per 100,000 residents, St. Louis ranked highest for motor vehicle thefts.
Pro Tip
- Dr. Paul Cromwell, a criminology professor at the University of South Florida Polytechnic, notes that even in high-crime cities, simple deterrents go a long way: “Criminals talk big, but when push comes to shove, they won’t go near a house that has an alarm.” Even a yard sign or window decal from a security company can make your home a less appealing target.
What Is Property Crime?
A property crime involves taking physical property, such as material objects or belongings, from the legal owner. Burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft are the three most common types of property crime. Of those, motor vehicle thefts are the most common, perhaps due to the prevalence and value of cars and the opportunity for a quick getaway if the criminal is successful.
Carter says, “Generally property crime is thought of as theft—simple theft of the property of another, retail theft, auto theft, fraud and burglary are all types of property crime.”
The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program defines “burglary” as entering a structure—most commonly a building—with the intention of committing theft or a felony. The term “larceny-theft” covers a broad range of instances in which thieves remove property from its rightful owner, including pickpocketing, stealing from a car (including personal possessions and vehicle components), and shoplifting. “Motor vehicle theft” is perhaps the most straightforward term, defining the theft of a car that the criminal doesn’t own.
Stealing a motorcycle falls under motor vehicle theft, but the FBI doesn’t include the theft of aircraft, farm equipment, or watercraft in this category. Burglary doesn’t always constitute breaking and entering. For example, thieves can walk freely into a convenience store and steal from the register. However, a burglary escalates to robbery—a felony in some states, depending on the type—if the criminal resorts to life-threatening force or violence in committing the theft.
Pro Tip
- Robert McCrie, a security expert and professor at Manhattan’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, notes that most property crimes don’t involve weapons: “Burglars usually don’t carry them. They know that if they get caught, they will face more serious charges.” Understanding that distinction between burglary and violent crime can help homeowners choose the right level of security response.
How To Protect Yourself From Property Crime
Having keen situational awareness, which means staying present and aware of your surroundings, can help you increase your personal safety and avoid becoming a victim of property crime. For example, you can vary your routine to deter criminals from recognizing and taking advantage of your behavior patterns, especially if you frequent the bank or a nearby ATM. Avoid keeping large amounts of cash in your purse or wallet in case you are robbed.
Pro Tip
- Dr. Paul Cromwell, a criminology professor at the University of South Florida Polytechnic, says that ninety-nine out of 100 burglars will avoid a home if they think someone is inside. To make yours look occupied when you’re away, put lights on a timer so they switch on while you’re out. Even better, hook the timer to your TV — the action on the screen will throw shadows on your windows, creating the illusion of movement.
Carter emphasizes the importance of awareness: “Being aware of your surroundings is essential—particularly if you are in an unfamiliar city or area. All crime is geographic-centric—that means there are places/areas of communities where the probability of victimization is much higher than other areas.”
Going out with friends or walking with large groups of people can also discourage thieves from targeting you. Establish a buddy system to increase safety in the group. When leaving a venue or gathering place, walk to your vehicles together and check in to make sure everyone got home safely.
Your Vehicle
Parking in a well-lit area—ideally, near a security camera—can help keep you and your vehicle safe from thieves. As you leave or enter your car, roll up the windows and lock the doors. Avoid leaving your possessions in plain sight.
If someone approaches you when you’re in your vehicle, keep your doors locked and the engine running. Attract attention if necessary by flashing your lights or honking your horn. Alternatively, if you see someone stranded on the side of the road, call 911 for assistance.
Your Home
Shred any documents that contain sensitive information before throwing them away, and lock your outdoor possessions in a shed or garage. Lock your doors and windows before you leave the house or go to sleep for the night. Install a home security system for added protection.
“The most successful way to protect yourself from property crime is a security solution that uses both the latest AI technology and human guards,” says Selinger. “A key feature to look for is accurate AI detection of what the camera is catching, so notifications are only sent when a real threat is present.”
View visitors at the door through a peephole or doorbell camera and refrain from answering if you don’t recognize the people. If you see anything suspicious on or around your property, call the authorities and remain inside.
Our Conclusion
Although property crime rates fell by 2.4% in 2023, it’s important to remain diligent as you go about your day. Avoid putting yourself in situations where thieves have the upper hand, such as in dark alleyways or on remote side roads. Practice situational awareness when out in public, regardless of whether you’re alone or with a large group.
Stealing cars is one of the most common types of property crimes committed nationwide. Thieves can quickly enter your unlocked vehicle and steal personal property, including sensitive information that could lead to further crimes such as identity theft. Lock your car and keep valuables out of sight to avoid becoming another motor vehicle theft statistic.
San Francisco and Seattle topped our list of the largest cities with high property crime rates, but thieves target individuals, cars, and homes nationwide. If you saw your city listed among the property crime statistics above, you can take extra precautions to prevent circumstances that lead to these crimes. Spread awareness among your friends and family to reduce a thief’s chances of success.
