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New Mexico ranks fifth in highest rate of car thefts at 75% above the U.S. national average.
In reviewing FBI crime data regarding motor vehicle thefts by state during 2023, compared with the number of registered vehicles in the same year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The study identified the states whose vehicles are the most susceptible to car theft.
New Mexico ranks as the state where vehicles are fifth-most likely to be stolen. The state, which has over 1.9 million registered vehicles, saw 10,427 motor vehicle thefts in 2023. This is 534.06 thefts per 100,000 vehicles, the fifth-highest rate nationwide. It is 74.8% above the average American state's theft rate of 305.52 per 100,000 vehicles.
Nevada ranks as the state where vehicles are most likely to be stolen. The Silver state, which has over 2.5 million registered vehicles, saw 21,639 motor vehicle thefts in 2023. This is 846.56 thefts per 100,000 vehicles, the highest figure nationwide and 177.09% above the average American state’s theft rate.
Washington saw the second-highest vehicle theft rate. With 53,066 thefts among 6.8 million vehicles, there were 778.54 thefts per 100,000 vehicles, a rate 154.83% higher than the average state.
Colorado’s rate of vehicle theft is the third-highest nationwide. The state saw 37,955 thefts across 5.4 million registered vehicles, a rate of 697.47 thefts per 100,000, 128.29% above average.
In fourth place, Maryland has a vehicle theft rate of 664.51 per 100,000 registered vehicles, and in fifth place, New Mexico has one of 534.06 per 100,000 vehicles. These figures are 117.50% and 74.80%above the nationwide state average, respectively.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, FBI Crime Data for car thefts.
Methodology: 2023 light vehicle registration counts by state and the number of reported motor vehicle thefts in 2023 were sourced from the above references.
Motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 registered vehicles were calculated using the following formula: (thefts / vehicles) x 100,000.
Comparison to the average was calculated using the following formula: ((state thefts per 100,000 - U.S. average thefts per 100,000) / U.S. average thefts per 100,000) x 100.
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