The Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities in the US

What are the safest cities in the US? With more than 430 mass shootings in the United States, nearly 14,000 Americans lost gun violencealmost 29,000 motor vehicle deaths throughout the country and $24 billion dollars in climate disasters– in 2024 alone – it’s no wonder that safety is a top priority for many Americans, whether they’re looking for a place to travel or a place to live.

To address these concerns, WalletHub has released a new report on the safest cities in the USas well as the safest statesthat provides a data-driven look at where Americans can best be protected from physical, financial and environmental threats.

“When people think about safety in a city, their minds likely immediately turn to things like the crime rate, car deaths or the risk of natural disasters,” Chip Lupo, an analyst at WalletHub, said in a statement. “But the safest cities in America go beyond protecting residents from bodily harm and property damage. They also work to ensure people’s financial security, reducing the incidence of identity theft, unemployment and housing instability.”

To determine the rankings, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities and all 50 states across 52 safety metrics. The analysis looked at factors such as violent crime rates, traffic safety, financial stability, vulnerability to natural disasters and more. Each city and state was rated based on three key dimensions: the safety of homes and communities, the risk of natural disasters and financial security. The scores were weighted to reflect the relative importance of each factor. You can compare this list with previous rankings, such as this 2023 list of the safest cities in the US.

The Safest Cities in the US

Topping the list as the safest city in America is South Burlington, Vermont. Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, South Burlington is known for its scenic landscapes, parks such as Overlook and Red Rocks, and proximity to Vermont’s Green Mountains. The city has a low crime rate and ranks ninth for home and community safety. South Burlington also has the lowest pedestrian death rate in the country and the 13th lowest uninsured motorist rate. Financial security is also a strength: With a nationally low unemployment rate of 1.9%, South Burlington residents are less at risk of financial distress because they benefit from one of the lowest rates of underwater mortgages and non-business bankruptcies per capita. And there is a low risk of natural disasters, from floods to forest fires. The neighboring city of Burlington, Vermont also fared well on the list, landing at number four.

Second on the list is Casper, Wyoming, a city known for its wide open spaces and outdoor recreation. Casper scores high on pedestrian and neighborhood safety. It has one of the lowest pedestrian death rates in the country. It also does well when it comes to crime. According to a recent survey by Numbeo, it is the second safest city to walk alone at night and the fourth safest to walk alone during the day. The city also has the 32nd lowest aggravated assault rate in the country. Casper’s low fraud risk (with the fewest identity theft complaints and the second-fewest fraud complaints per capita) contributes to its high security score.

Warwick, Rhode Island, rounds out the top three safest cities in the US. The waterfront city, not far from Providence, is known for its exceptionally low crime rates and proactive community safety efforts. Warwick has the fewest murders and aggravated assaults per capita, along with one of the lowest theft rates. Residents also benefit from favorable conditions for financial security, with low poverty rates and strong labor force participation.

While many cities have successfully cultivated safe environments, others face ongoing challenges and suffer from high crime rates and security risks that impact both physical and financial well-being. New Orleans is at the bottom of the list of safest cities, closely followed by another city in Louisiana: Baton Rouge. The five least safe cities are rounded out by Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Detroit and Memphis.

The Safest States in the US

WalletHub’s state rankings name Vermont as the safest in the U.S. for 2024. Nearly 77% of Vermont parents report feeling safe in their community. With a strong labor market, Vermont’s 2.1% unemployment rate is one of the lowest nationwide, supported by the state’s overall economic stability, which has the lowest underwater mortgage rate and the second-fewest identity theft complaints per capita. includes the population. Vermont’s commitment to traffic safety is also notable, with the seventh-lowest rate of traffic fatalities per 100 million miles traveled.

New Hampshire is the second safest state on the WalletHub list, largely due to its low rates of violent and non-violent crimes. New Hampshire has the record for the fewest mass shootings over the past two years, as well as the second-fewest homicides per capita. Additionally, more than 78% of New Hampshire residents say they feel safe in their neighborhood (the highest percentage in the country). Financially, the state is also strong, with a low unemployment rate and the lowest poverty rate in the country.

Maine is the third safest state. Maine has low crime rates, with the second fewest aggravated assaults and third fewest thefts per capita. It excels in both financial stability and job security, with one of the lowest unemployment rates and third-best job growth in the US. Additionally, Maine has the third-lowest non-business bankruptcy filings per capita.

While some states excel at protecting their residents, other states face challenges across security categories. Louisiana ranks as the least safe state in the US for 2024, largely due to its high crime rates, financial instability and vulnerability to natural disasters. Louisiana is closely followed by Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and Florida, each experiencing increased risks in categories such as violent crime, financial insecurity and environmental threats.

Read on for the lists of the safest cities in the US, as well as the safest states; You can also find more details in the original report.

Ranked: The 25 Safest Cities in the US

1. South Burlington, Vermont
2. Casper, WY
3. Warwick, Rhode Island
4. Burlington, Vermont
5. Boise, Idaho
6. Yonkers, New York
7. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
8. Columbia, Maryland
9. Portland, Maine
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia
11. Irvine, California
12. Fargo, North Dakota
13. Chesapeake, VA
14. Missoula, Montana
15. Nashua, New Hampshire
16. Juneau, Alaska
17. Vancouver, Washington
18. Honolulu, Hawaii
19. Madison, Wis
20. Huntsville, AL
21. Laredo, Texas
22. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
23. Chula Vista, California
24. Fremont, California
25. Glendale, California

Ranked: The Safest States in the US

1. Vermont
2. New Hampshire
3. Maine
4. Massachusetts
5. Utah
6. Hawaii
7. Connecticut
8. Minnesota
9. Rhode Island
10. Wyoming
11. Idaho
12. Indiana
13. Iowa
14. Arizona
15. Virginia
16. Maryland
17. New Jersey
18. Washington
19. Wisconsin
20. Delaware
21. Kentucky
22. Oregon
23. North Carolina
24. New York
25. Alaska
26. Michigan
27. North Dakota
28. Pennsylvania
29. South Dakota
30. West Virginia
31. Illinois
32. Ohio
33. New Mexico
34. Nebraska
35. Kansas
36. Nevada
37. California
38. Montana
39. Missouri
40. Tennessee
41. South Carolina
42. Georgia
43. Colorado
44. Alabama
45. Oklahoma
46. Florida
47. Arkansas
48. Texas
49. Mississippi
50. Louisiana

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