ID · 3 cities
Dangerous neighborhoods in Idaho
Idaho recorded 222 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 33% below the national rate and down 12% since 2022. We cover Boise, Meridian and Nampa. Each guide breaks down the specific blocks, transit points and hours where a little more attention pays off.
Boise
Meridian
NampaFBI data · 2025
Most dangerous cities in Idaho, ranked
The 3 Idaho cities we cover, ordered by their official violent crime rate: murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents. 2 of 3 run above the state average of 222. A high citywide rate doesn't make a whole city unsafe: crime clusters in a few areas, and each guide above shows where.
| # | City | Violent per 100k | Property per 100k | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nampa | 310 | 675 | 121,713 |
| 2 | Boise | 290 | 852 | 238,450 |
| 3 | Meridian | 138 | 408 | 145,320 |
| Idaho average | 222 | 625 | ||
| US average | 330 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported by each city's police department per 100,000 residents; most cities use 2025 data, and a small year next to a name marks a different latest complete year. Only cities with a neighborhood guide are included, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. How we rank cities.
Idaho crime: frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in Idaho?
Of the 3 Idaho cities in our ranking, Nampa has the highest violent crime rate: 310 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 1.4 times the state average. Boise and Meridian come next. Even in Nampa, crime is concentrated in a few areas, and our Nampa guide shows which ones.
What is the safest city in Idaho?
Among the cities we rank, Meridian has the lowest violent crime rate, at 138 per 100,000 residents in 2025, 38% below the state average. Boise follows with 290. A low citywide rate doesn't mean every block is the same, but day-to-day risk is lower.
Is Idaho safe to visit?
For most visitors, yes, with ordinary precautions. Idaho recorded 222 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 33% below the national rate of 330. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and hours rather than spread evenly, so knowing where those areas are matters more than the statewide figure; our 3 city guides cover them block by block.
Which Idaho cities have above-average crime?
2 of the 3 cities we rank have a violent crime rate above the Idaho average of 222 per 100,000 residents: Nampa and Boise. The other 1 are below it.
Is crime going up or down in Idaho?
Violent crime in Idaho went from 252 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 222 in 2025, down 12%. Property crime went from 958 to 625 over 2022–2025, down 35%.
Where do these crime figures come from?
From the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which collects the offenses reported by each police department. Rates are offenses per 100,000 residents, so cities of different sizes can be compared, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Our methodology explains the details.