New Mexico tops list of most dangerous states for Airbnb hosts

Short-term rental hosting has become an increasingly popular strategy for real estate investors, and Airbnb remains the most popular booking platform on the market. But no investment is without risk, and not every location in America offers the same level of security for property owners. Some states experience far higher rates of break-ins, vandalism, and other crimes that directly affect landlords.

Using publicly available FBI crime statistics, Steadily compiled five key metrics that matter most for Airbnb hosts: vandalism, burglary, robbery, arson, and theft from buildings. Each state was scored on a 100-point index, with higher scores reflecting greater risk.

The results show wide differences between states, with New Mexico emerging as the most dangerous for Airbnb hosts, while Idaho, West Virginia, and Maine ranked among the safest.

Let's break down the data:

10 riskiest states for Airbnb hosts

Each state was scored on five factors with varying weights: number of arson incidents (9.09%), theft from building (18.18%), burglary/breaking & entering (27.27%), destruction or vandalism of property (27.27%) and robbery (18.18%). The highest scores, meaning the most prevalence of incidents, were:

1. New Mexico – 86.69
2. Washington – 80.19
3. Oregon – 76.45
4. Colorado – 75.25
5. Nevada – 72.51
6. Arkansas – 70.88
7. Oklahoma – 70.36
8. Tennessee – 70.16
9. New York – 69.04
10. Kansas – 67.88

New Mexico recorded the highest rate of property destruction and vandalism in the country, at 1,370.65 incidents per 100,000 people. It also had the highest burglary rate, at 529.60 incidents per 100,000 residents. Together, these figures gave New Mexico an index score of 86.69, placing it first overall.

For landlords running short term rentals in the state, the data underscores how much greater the risks are compared to other markets. If a rental property gets vandalized, the financial fallout often includes repairs, lost income, and damaged guest confidence.

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Washington ranked second overall with an index score of 80.19, driven by high burglary and vandalism rates. In 2023, the state reported more than 1,000 incidents of property destruction per 100,000 residents.

Oregon follows in third with a score of 76.45, posting the highest arson rate in the nation and one of the highest rates of theft from buildings.

Colorado (75.25) and Nevada (72.51) round out the top five, both experiencing consistently high levels of vandalism and burglary.

Darren Nix, CEO at Steadily, emphasized the regional disparities in risk: “This data highlights the substantial regional differences in property crime risks that short term rental owners face. The fact that New Mexico property owners experience vandalism rates nearly five times higher than those in West Virginia should prompt hosts to reconsider their insurance and security needs based on location.

While states like West Virginia and Idaho show remarkably low property crime rates, no location is completely risk-free. Vandalism and theft together account for at least 10–15% of renter-type insurance claims, and host settlements for theft average $1,200 per incident.

Short term rental owners in high-risk states should consider enhanced security measures like doorbell cameras, secure lockboxes, and comprehensive insurance coverage specifically designed for their property.”

10 safest states for Airbnb hosts

1. Idaho – 30.40
2. West Virginia – 31.72
3. Maine – 32.49
4. Vermont – 32.61
5. Hawaii – 34.46
6. New Hampshire – 35.82
7. Florida – 40.32
8. Mississippi – 41.40
9. Rhode Island – 41.53
10. Massachusetts – 44.02

The analysis also revealed where Airbnb hosts face the least risk of property crime. These states had consistently low rates of burglary, vandalism, theft, and arson compared to the rest of the country.

Idaho emerged as the safest state overall with a score of 30.40. It reported the lowest robbery rate in the nation, at just 9.50 incidents per 100,000 residents, and very low levels of arson.

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West Virginia came second with a score of 31.72, reporting the lowest rate of theft from buildings nationwide. Maine followed with a score of 32.49, thanks to burglary and robbery incidents well below the national average.

What this means for landlords and Airbnb hosts

The findings make clear that not all short term rental markets carry the same level of risk. In high-crime states such as New Mexico or Washington, hosts are more likely to encounter costly problems like break-ins, vandalism, or theft. These incidents don’t just mean repair bills — they can also lead to canceled bookings, liability claims, and longer-term income loss.

But even the safest states are not immune. Across the country, burglary and vandalism account for 10 to 15 percent of renter-type insurance claims, with average settlements exceeding $1,000 per incident. Preventative measures such as smart locks, doorbell cameras, and strong guest vetting help reduce risk but cannot fully eliminate it.

The most reliable way to protect a short term rental investment is with comprehensive insurance. At Steadily, our landlord insurance policies cover property damage, burglary, and vandalism, giving landlords confidence to continue hosting even when unexpected events occur. We also cover loss of rental income in situations where properties become uninhabitable.

If you own Airbnb or other short term rentals, make sure your property is backed by coverage that reflects the realities of your state’s crime risks.