Where Peace Of Mind Lives: America’s Safest Cities
When it comes to choosing a place to live, safety is always at the top of the list. Whether you’re raising a family, moving for work, or simply seeking peace of mind, the security of your environment plays a huge role in quality of life. But with so many factors to consider, not all cities are created equal.
To help cut through the noise, we’ve gone through Wallethub’s comprehensive evaluation of 182 American cities. Based on 41 data points across three core categories (Home & Community Safety, Natural‑Disaster Risk, and Financial Safety), these are the 25 safest cities in the country.
25. Glendale, California
Glendale lands in the top 25 thanks to excellent Home & Community Safety (rank 5), even though its disaster exposure (150) and financial rank (137) aren’t as strong. If you want low day-to-day crime with LA-area amenities, Glendale quietly delivers.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
24. Fremont, California
Fremont pairs top-20 Home & Community Safety (17) with a solid Financial Safety showing (37). Despite higher natural-disaster risk (137), overall conditions like low assaults, suburban planning, and high household stability help residents feel secure in the East Bay.
Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons
23. Chula Vista, California
Just south of San Diego, Chula Vista balances HC Safety rank 20 with moderate disaster risk (39) and a mid-pack financial profile (104). Its planned neighborhoods and community policing contribute to consistent safety outcomes across categories.
Roman Eugeniusz, Wikimedia Commons
22. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls stands out for Financial Safety (23) and steady emergency response, offsetting higher disaster exposure (86). With strong employment and practical Midwestern infrastructure, everyday risk stays comparatively low.
Maxpower2727, Wikimedia Commons
21. Laredo, Texas
Laredo’s steady HC Safety (32) and Natural-Disaster rank 25 keep it in the top 25 overall. Financially, it’s middle-of-the-pack (84), but tight community networks and cross-border commerce help maintain resilience.
20. Huntsville, Alabama
A booming aerospace/tech economy buoys Financial Safety (50) while HC Safety (27) and manageable disaster risk (63) keep risks in check. Growth hasn’t overwhelmed services, which is good news for neighborhoods and commutes.
WeaponizingArchitecture, Wikimedia Commons
19. Madison, Wisconsin
Madison mixes HC Safety rank 29 with strong Financial Safety (14). College-town infrastructure such as bikeability, EMS coverage, and pedestrian planning helps residents feel safe, even with higher disaster exposure (88).
18. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu’s strengths: low unemployment (tied for lowest nationally) and Financial Safety rank 10, plus midrange disaster exposure (57). Crime remains comparatively modest, and tourist-calibrated emergency services add a safety backstop.
Daniel Ramirez, Wikimedia Commons
17. Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver earns the #2 lowest Natural-Disaster Risk in the entire study and a respectable Financial Safety rank 58. Even with a middling HC rank 78, ultra-low disaster exposure keeps overall risk down.
Another Believer, Wikimedia Commons
16. Juneau, Alaska
Juneau posts the lowest Natural-Disaster Risk (#1) overall, with stable HC Safety (101) and Financial Safety (111) rounding out the picture. For people prioritizing environmental risk reduction, it’s hard to top.
Gordon Leggett, Wikimedia Commons
15. Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua blends HC rank 16 with Financial Safety rank 8—a classic New England formula of low crime and economic steadiness. Disaster exposure is higher (111), but everyday safety and fiscal health shine.
14. Missoula, Montana
Missoula’s mix: Natural-Disaster rank 8, balanced HC rank 55, and Financial Safety 59. Outdoor culture and community cohesion help keep incidents low, while environmental risk is among the nation’s mildest.
13. Chesapeake, Virginia
With HC rank 19 and Financial Safety 79, Chesapeake rides strong neighborhood safety and stable services. Disaster exposure (42) is moderate, but coastal planning and emergency readiness support dependable day-to-day living.
Magnolia677, Wikimedia Commons
12. Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo’s consistent profile—HC rank 33, Financial Safety 30—keeps risk low across categories. While disaster exposure (74) isn’t the best, strong employment and insurance coverage strengthen household resilience.
xiquinhosilva, Wikimedia Commons
11. Irvine, California
Irvine is a top-5 HC city (rank 4) and appears among the fewest assaults per capita (top 3), with superb planning and neighborhood design. Disaster (127) and finances (121) weigh on the total, but daily safety is elite.
André Regius, Wikimedia Commons
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach ranks #1 for fewest assaults per capita and holds HC rank 15. Disaster exposure (53) is manageable; financials (64) are steady. Lifeguard-dense beaches and robust EMS make it a reliably safe coastal city.
9. Portland, Maine
Portland pairs Financial Safety rank 2 with balanced HC (44) and disaster (23) scores. High emergency-savings rates among residents and low fraud risk support household stability and peace of mind.
dconvertini, Wikimedia Commons
8. Columbia, Maryland
Columbia owns the #1 Home & Community Safety rank and strong disaster resilience (11). Financially it’s mid-tier (65), but planned communities, parks, and schools add up to exceptional day-to-day security.
Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons
7. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids scores HC rank 10 and stable Financial Safety (78), with moderate disaster exposure (43). Community networks and responsive local services help keep crime and emergencies in check.
Fabishfabish, Wikimedia Commons
6. Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is HC rank 3 in the nation with very low assault rates and solid community safety, but offset by weaker financial metrics (139). Still, proximity to NYC with suburban calm remains a compelling safety combo.
Trxr4kds at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
5. Boise, Idaho
Boise’s profile: overall score 69.17, balanced HC (26) and Financial Safety (19) with higher disaster exposure (46). Its outdoorsy lifestyle, low crime, and civic engagement keep it firmly in the top five.
Tamanoeconomico, Wikimedia Commons
4. Burlington, Vermont
Burlington posts Financial Safety rank 7 and stable HC (38). Disaster exposure is low (6), reinforcing lakefront calm with resilient infrastructure—one reason Vermont cities cluster near the top.
G. Edward Johnson, Wikimedia Commons
3. Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick has the fewest thefts per capita and lowest murders, plus 2nd-lowest aggravated assaults. Disaster risks are among the nation’s lower tier, and HC rank 12 reflects that everyday peace.
2. Casper, Wyoming
Casper features very low pedestrian fatalities, 32nd-lowest aggravated assault rate, and fewest identity-theft complaints nationwide. It’s also #2 for walking alone at night safety and #5 for insured drivers, reinforcing overall security.
Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons
1. South Burlington, Vermont
South Burlington leads with the nation’s lowest unemployment (1.9%), 9th-most EMTs/paramedics per capita, and very low pedestrian fatalities. Disaster risks are muted (low flood/tornado/wildfire exposure), and Financial Safety rank 1 seals its #1 status.
Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons
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