Airbnb hosts beware: Texas is one of the worst states for your property

DALLAS (KDAF) — If you’re an Airbnb host in Texas, you might want to be extra cautious. According to new research from rental insurance company Steadily, Texas ranks among the worst states in the U.S. for property crime risks that directly impact short-term rental owners. Using FBI data across five key crime metrics, Steadily analyzed and ranked all 50 states to identify where vacation rental properties face the greatest threats. The findings reveal a troubling landscape for hosts in the Lone Star State—making it one of the most dangerous places to operate a short-term rental.

Texas ranks 21st overall, with a score of 59.53. The Lone Star State’s most serious issue is robbery, with 69.83 cases per 100,000 residents, the tenth-highest in the US. Destruction of property is also fairly high, with 555.66 incidents per 100,000 residents. Furthermore, rates of burglary were significant at 292.81 per 100,000, while arson and theft from buildings remain relatively low.

Texas’s rapid urban growth has concentrated crime in large cities like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, where dense commercial areas and sprawling neighborhoods create more opportunities for robbery and vandalism. Socioeconomic disparities, particularly in inner-city communities, further fuel property crimes as poverty and limited access to stable employment drive opportunistic offenses. Experts note that these pressures strain law enforcement resources, leaving property damage and theft especially persistent challenges across the state.

The top 10 most dangerous states for Airbnb hosts 

Rank	State	Index score	Leading factor/s
1	New Mexico	86.69	Destruction of property and burglary
2	Washington	80.19	Burglary
3	Oregon	76.45	Arson
4	Colorado	75.25	Destruction of property
5	Nevada	72.51	Burglary
6	Arkansas	70.88	Burglary
7	Oklahoma	70.36	Burglary
8	Tennessee	70.16	Theft from building
9	New York	69.04	Robbery
10	Kansas	67.88	Destruction of property

In stark contrast, the study identified the three safest states for Airbnb hosts.  

Idaho ranked as the safest state with an index score of just 30.40. The state has the lowest rate of robbery at just 9.50 incidents per 100,000 residents, as well as a low rate of arson at 7.30 incidents per 100,000 people.  

West Virginia is the second safest state, with a final score of 31.72. West Virginia reported the lowest rate of theft from buildings at just 21.35 incidents per 100,000 residents. 

Maine is the third safest state, with a score of 32.49.  The state experiences very low rates of both robbery and burglary, at 11.75 incidents per 100,000 residents and 110.34 incidents per 100,000 people, respectively.