Worst Metro Cities for Package Theft for 2024

We've ranked the top 10 worst metro areas based on the financial toll. We also looked at the number of incidents per 1,000 households. This table provides a clear view of where package theft is hitting Americans' pocketbooks the hardest across the country. 

We were surprised to find that the cities with the highest financial losses aren’t necessarily those with the most package theft incidents, highlighting differences in online shopping habits and the value of packages at risk.

Our analysis of package theft incidents also pinpointed areas where victims are most frequently targeted multiple times. Cleveland led our top 10 with the most incidents per capita, as porch pirates struck nearly 1,400 times per 1,000 households.

Beyond the top 10, repeat theft hotspots included Beckley, West Virginia (2,391 incidents per 1,000 households); Hot Springs, Arkansas (2,107 per 1,000); and Goldsboro, North Carolina (1,880 per 1,000).

Interestingly, every city in our top 10 is in the eastern U.S., with Texas being the farthest western state represented—and the only state with more than one metro area on the list.

Past package theft leaders like Seattle, San Diego, and Portland saw lower rankings this year, coming in at numbers 15, 82, and 11, respectively.

Porch pirates have clear favorites when it comes to packages, with Amazon deliveries topping the list at 33% of reported thefts. We speculate that this could be due to people ordering more deliveries from Amazon, making those packages more ubiquitous overall. Amazon packages may also seem more likely to hold something a package thief could use themselves or resell for profit.

Following Amazon, USPS packages account for 18% of stolen items, with FedEx (17%) and UPS (16%) close behind. Grocery deliveries also fall victim, making up 7% of thefts, while meal kits like HelloFresh represent nearly 4%. Other types of deliveries round out the list at 5%. It's apparent that porch pirates target a wide range of deliveries—from everyday essentials to specialized subscriptions.

Beyond tracking theft data, we also surveyed 150 people in each state (7,500 total) to understand how concerned they are about package theft, what security measures (if any) they’re using, and how effective these strategies have been in deterring porch pirates.

See how the states home to our top 10 cities measure up and learn more about the steps people take to keep their deliveries safe.

Nationwide, one in four people don't do anything to deter porch pirates—despite more than half of all Americans worrying that they'll have a package stolen. However, more than eight in 10 added a deterrent after having a package snatched.

Among our top 10 metro areas, where package theft is the most costly, more than nine in 10 took action after losing a package to porch pirates. Security cameras or video doorbells are the top deterrent used, followed by working with neighbors and using package tracking.

• 1 in 4 Americans don't do anything to protect their packages.
• Over 8 in 10 added some type of protection after being hit by porch pirates.
• Of those who use a deterrent, 21% had a security camera or video doorbell in place when their packages were stolen.
• 32% said they installed a security camera after a package theft.
• Ring was the most-purchased brand of security camera (46%).
• Package tracking and working with neighbors are the most used deterrents after cameras.
• People prefer to pick up prescription drugs, food and groceries, and computers and other electronics in person, rather than risk a package theft.

With package theft rates holding steady, we can cautiously conclude that porch piracy may have reached its peak. While the number of packages swiped rose only slightly, from 119 million to 120 million, that small increase reflects population growth rather than a jump in crime.

For the first time, we analyzed incidents of package theft reported to law enforcement and those that went unreported, giving a clearer picture of the real impact. In 2023, porch pirates struck nearly 92 million times—or about 260,000 incidents per day.

Perhaps the most striking finding is the financial toll of these thefts: $16 billion in losses. Although this number is alarming, it accounts for just over 1% of the $1 trillion Americans spent on online shopping last year. Additionally, our data shows that many victims are repeatedly targeted by porch pirates. Cleveland, Ohio, for instance, ranked tenth on our list with 1,370 package theft incidents per 1,000 households, reinforcing the pattern that porch piracy often strikes the same locations more than once.

Our survey reveals the widespread impact of package theft, showing that 73% of respondents had a package stolen within the past year, and a significant 79% experienced multiple thefts. This trend reflects the ongoing vulnerability of deliveries, as more than one in three people have encountered package theft at some point. Interestingly, most stolen packages (67%) were valued under $100, suggesting that porch pirates often target everyday items, making vigilance even more important for protecting deliveries of all types.

• 120.5 million packages were stolen in 2023.
• Nearly 92 million incidents of package theft occurred in 2023.
• The U.S. sees 261,000 incidents of package theft every day.
• An estimated $16 billion was lost to porch pirates in 2023.
• 43 of the 327 metro areas we looked at had more than 1,000 incidents per 1,000 households.
• 8 in 10 victims had more than one package stolen in the past 12 months.
• Amazon delivered the majority of packages stolen.

Package theft cost Americans a staggering $16 billion last year, with most stolen items valued under $100. According to our data, nearly 20% of stolen packages were worth between $101 and $200, and just 5% exceeded $500.

This distribution of package values has remained steady over the past three years, but we saw notable increases in high-value thefts during the pandemic, particularly in 2021 when delivery volumes surged. That year, 25% of stolen packages were valued between $101 and $200, 17% fell between $201 and $500, and 13% were valued above $500—the highest rates for pricier packages in recent years.

• More than 8 in 10 people said they added some deterrent or preventive measure after having a package stolen.
• After a package was stolen, 32% added a security camera or video doorbell, 25% contacted neighbors, and 23% started using package tracking.
• 16% added a security system after having a package swiped.
• 23% reported the theft to law enforcement.
• 11% made an insurance claim.

After a package theft incident, victims often take action to recover their losses or prevent future incidents. Our data shows that 45% of victims received a replacement from the seller, while 32% were given a refund. Only 23% reported the theft to law enforcement, and 19% captured the incident on video. Of those who recorded footage, 17% shared it with neighbors or on a community app, and 11% filed an insurance claim. 

Until the package hits your porch, the seller bears responsibility for it. After delivery, it becomes your property and your responsibility.

Even though they're no longer responsible, many sellers and carriers may offer full or partial compensation for a loss, so it's a good idea to contact them to learn your options.

If you’re unfortunate enough to fall victim to package theft, there are steps you can take:

• Contact the seller: In our survey, 45% of victims received replacements, and 32% were given refunds after reporting the theft to the retailer.
• Report to the carrier: About 14% of respondents said they got a refund from the carrier. But remember, the carrier is only responsible until they drop off the package. Many carriers use photo verification upon delivery to help mitigate their responsibility for package theft. 
• Report to law enforcement: Although package theft is typically categorized as general larceny-theft, more states are passing specific laws to address it.
• Share footage with neighbors: If you have surveillance footage, sharing it can help raise community awareness. Nineteen percent of victims caught the porch pirate on camera, and 17% shared that footage to alert neighbors.
• Consider insurance claims: Some insurance policies cover package theft, and 11% of respondents found success in filing a claim.

Package theft remains a costly and frustrating issue, but with greater awareness and proactive measures, both individuals and communities can work together to curb porch piracy.

Our partnership with Dr. Ben Stickle, a research specialist in theft and criminal behavior, helped us identify common risk factors for porch piracy. After reviewing hours of porch pirate footage, Dr. Stickle's team found that certain conditions make a home more likely to be targeted:

• Homes with porches less than 25 feet from the street provide easy access for thieves.
• Packages visible from the road act as “open invitations” to would-be thieves.
• Surprisingly, cul-de-sacs are just as vulnerable to package theft as other types of streets.

Additionally, our survey revealed some socioeconomic trends among those most frequently targeted:

• More than 60% of package theft victims live in single-family homes.
• 75% of those targeted have annual incomes below $100,000.

Indicators of empty homes—like parked cars that rarely move, lights that stay on or off all day, and open blinds or curtains—can also attract porch pirates.

Eleven states have laws on the books that aim to deter porch pirates with the threat of fines and incarceration. Pennsylvania and Florida are the latest to crack down, with bills going into effect this year. The District of Columbia also passed a bill that changes the threshold for felony theft in hopes of deterring would-be porch pirates and other thieves. Five other states have also proposed legislation to combat the scourge of package theft.

Most proposed or enacted legislation treats package theft as a felony, with penalties ranging from six months to 30 years in jail. The table below shows which states are targeting porch pirates.

There are many things you can do to help deter porch pirates, but these five tips are my essential guide to keeping your packages out of the hands of thieves.

1. Opt into delivery alerts. You can get alerts from both retailers and shippers to track the movements of your packages and know the moment they’re delivered. Apps like Shop (my favorite) help you track deliveries and online purchases from any retailer all in one place.

2. Require signatures. This ensures that your package—especially valuable items — won’t be left on the front porch unattended. Requiring a signature means your goods will end up in a human’s hands, not dropped on a porch or in front of a door.

3. Make alternative arrangements. If you can’t be home to bring in those packages, have them delivered somewhere else. You can use a package locker service (like Amazon), ask a friend or neighbor, use a personal delivery locker on your porch, or ask that the package be held at the carrier’s depot for you to pick up in person.

4. Use technology. Doorbell cams, outdoor security cameras, and full-on security systems can keep you in the know about what’s happening in front of your home and with your packages. I recommend tech that does more than capture a clip of a bad actor stealing your stuff. Look for two-way talk, customized recorded messages, flashing lights, alarming sounds, sirens, and professional monitoring.

5. Work with your neighbors. More porch pirates are working together to grab as much as possible from entire neighborhoods. Check in to see if anyone has had a package stolen and make a plan to work together to keep an eye out for unusual cars, unfamiliar people, and sketchy security cam footage.

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This year’s package theft report is based on a combination of FBI crime statistics, an independent safety survey, and our own proprietary survey data. We collected responses from at least 150 people per state—totaling 7,500 participants nationwide—to get a clear, representative view of package theft across the U.S.

Two-thirds of survey respondents provided insights on various types of crime they had experienced, while the remaining third were all victims of package theft. This dual approach allowed us to analyze broader crime trends as well as zero in on the specifics of package theft.

To generate our numbers, we combined FBI data, a third-party safety survey, and our own proprietary survey data to come up with the metrics we used to estimate actual package theft numbers by state and metro areas. We queried the FBI crime data explorer to pull all reported larceny thefts from agencies in the state, the percentages by state of those larceny offenses that were classified as "Other Larceny" (which package theft is usually classified as), and the percentages of those classified offenses that occurred at a home/residence and from a building (which is what package theft would count as).⁵

We then estimated what the total reported incidents would be if all agencies reported their numbers based on the percentage of the population that had reported metrics. We then estimated the number of non-reported incidents and the dollar value of all incidents based on our proprietary survey data. With those two metrics, we ranked each metro and state by their per capita (1,000) package theft incidents and total value lost to porch piracy.

SafeWise Package Theft Survey
The 2024 SafeWise Package Theft Survey used a 16-question online survey fielded in August 2024 using Pollfish. We collected responses from 2,500 respondents across the U.S. who’ve had a package stolen at some point in their lifetime. The survey asked participants about their first-hand experiences with package theft.

Respondents were then asked explicitly about their experiences with package theft in the 12 months prior to the survey, including if they experienced it multiple times, the average cost of stolen packages, and any methods employed to prevent package theft before and after experiencing a theft. 

Pollfish survey methodology
Pollfish employs a survey methodology called Random Device Engagement (RDE) to reach a vast audience without using monetary incentives. RDE is an evolution of Random Digit Dialing (RDD) and operates within popular mobile apps. This approach leverages a neutral environment similar to RDD and targets users not intentionally participating in surveys.

SafeWise State of Safety survey methodology
The State of Safety is a nationwide survey that dives into America’s top safety concerns. Over the past six years, we’ve surveyed more than 30,000 Americans—at least 600 from every state—to discover their perceptions and attitudes about safety and crime.

Lux Insights fielded the most recent State of Safety survey in August 2024. Lux surveyed 5,000 residents across the U.S. (at least 100 in each state), and based on the number of completes, there is a margin of error (MOE) of ±1.4%. Each state has an MOE of approximately ±9.8%.

One section of the survey is devoted to package theft, focusing on experience with and concern about it over the 12 months prior to the survey. Read the full methodology.

• Package Theft Prevention
• How to Prevent Amazon Package Theft
• What to Do If You Have a Lost or Stolen Package
• Tips for Recovering Lost or Stolen Items
• How to Prevent Package Theft in Apartments

1. SafeWise, 2024 Package Theft Survey. August 2024. Accessed November 04, 2024.
2. Lux Insights and SafeWise, State of Safety Survey. August 2024. Accessed November 04, 2024.
3. Law Office of Nabiel C. Ahmed, "Do You Go to Jail for Stealing a Package?," June 2021. Accessed November 04, 2024.
4. Alex Leroux, KLTV, Gray Television, Inc., "New Law Raises Punishment for Package Theft," August 2019. Accessed November 04, 2024.
5. FBI Crime Data Explorer. Accessed November 04, 2024.

Although package theft, if represented at all, is included in the FBI data among larceny-theft incidents, SafeWise recognizes it as a subcategory that is growing across the country. We have adopted the definition of package theft as identified in an American Journal of Criminal Justice study.

Package theft definition: “Taking possession of a package or its contents, outside of a residence or business, where it has been commercially delivered or has been left for commercial pick-up, with intent to deprive the rightful owner of the contents.”