For many homebuyers, safety is a top concern when shopping for a house. It can influence where you feel comfortable living, and safety ratings can have a big effect on local housing market trends.
If you’re in the market to buy or rent a home and you’re looking for just the right spot, check out this list of the 50 safest cities from NeighborhoodScout.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• The safest cities in the U.S. are determined based on factors like crime rates, public safety measures, and community engagement.
• Factors such as low crime rates, strong law enforcement presence, and proactive community initiatives contribute to a city’s safety.
• Safe cities often prioritize public safety resources, including police and fire departments.
• The safest cities can vary by region and population size, with smaller cities often ranking higher.
• Safety rankings can help individuals and families make informed decisions about where to live and raise children.
How Is the Safest Cities List Determined?
To compile its list of the safest cities, NeighborhoodScout looks at FBI statistics for property and violent crime in cities across the country that have a population of 25,000 or more. This year’s list included areas with a township form of government, which resulted in a larger pool of locations and many newcomers to the list. (See the full list of 100 safest cities on the NeighborhoodScout site.)
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What Are the Safest Cities in the U.S.?
The safest cities in America tend to be suburban areas close to major cities like Boston. Only one spot on this list, Rexburg, Idaho, is outside a major metropolitan area.
Massachusetts is home to the most cities on the list at 18. Texas, with six cities on the list, ranks in second place.
Recommended: Price-to-Rent Ratio in 50 Cities
The 50 Safest U.S. Cities in 2023
Here’s a countdown of the 50 safest cities in the U.S. that you could call home. Consider safety, along with local housing market trends, if you’re thinking about relocating.
Friendswood, Texas
Friendswood began as a Quaker town in 1895 and became known for growing and preserving Magnolia figs. Since the 1950s, it has transformed into a quiet bedroom community 30 minutes from Houston and Galveston.
Population: 41,004
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 152
Major City Nearby: Houston
49. Newton, Massachusetts
A strong school system and proximity to downtown Boston draw homebuyers to this suburban community which is actually a cluster of 13 villages.
Population: 87,453
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 152
Major City Nearby: Boston
48. Prosper, Texas
This growing town in the Dallas area is known for great schools and beautiful scenery. Texas has no state income tax, which may be a draw for many homebuyers, although it does have a sales tax and property taxes may be higher than in some other areas.
Population: 34,136
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 155
Major City Nearby: Dallas
47. Dracut, Massachusetts
Dracut was home to Pennacook Indian settlements before Europeans arrived in the 1650s, and the town’s early economy depended on manufacturing and milling. The town provides easy access to the Lowell and Boston metropolitan areas.
Population: 32,159
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 155
Major City Nearby: Boston
46. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Shrewsbury was incorporated in 1727 and rests just outside the Boston metropolitan area near the city of Worcester. Although the violent crime rate has risen in recent years (while the property crime rate has declined), it is still one of the safest places to live.
Population: 38,999
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 156
Major City Nearby: Boston
45. Keller, Texas
Settled in the 1850s and named for a railroad foreman, Keller today blends urban amenities with a small-town emphasis on quality of life for its residents. The lovely Big Bear Creek Trail cuts through the city, ensuring access to a natural setting.
Population: 45,397
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 158
Major City Nearby: Dallas
44. Rochester Hills, Michigan
This Detroit suburb features the 102-acre Avon Nature Study Area on the Clinton River and the Rochester Hills Museum, where visitors can learn about pioneer farmers, Native American history, and local ecology.
Population: 76,028
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 160
Major City Nearby: Detroit
43. Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly is a suburb of Boston on the North Shore of Massachusetts, just north of Salem. Like its witchy neighbor, Beverly offers historic New England architecture and water access.
Population: 42,446
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 161
Major City Nearby: Boston
42. North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Sailboats bob on the water in this pretty Narragansett Bay town. A cluster of villages, the town was settled in the 17th century and boasts some buildings from that era, as well as the Silas Casey Farmstead, which is maintained as a classic New England farmstead.
Population: 27,911
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 162
Major City Nearby: Providence
41. Ballwin, Missouri
This West St. Louis town, home to high-quality public schools, is located within 30 minutes of five universities and colleges. It has a diverse array of housing options at many price points.
Population: 30,870
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 162
Major City Nearby: St. Louis
40. Melrose, Massachusetts
Another suburb of Boston, Melrose was first known as Ponde Fielde due to its many ponds and streams. The charming Downtown Melrose, known for its Victorian architecture, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Population: 29,312
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.0
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 164
Major City Nearby: Boston
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39. Milton, Georgia
Milton has one of Georgia’s highest rates of educational attainment and lowest rates of unemployment. The majority of its 39 square miles are zoned for agriculture, so residential lots are large here, at least one acre.
Population: 41,259
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 167
Major City Nearby: Atlanta
38. Commerce Township, Michigan
Commerce Township boasts easy access to lots of lakes, although not all are accessible to the public. If waterfront living is a goal, there are many options here, from smaller, older cottages to spacious new homes.
Population: 38,718
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 169
Major City Nearby: Detroit
37. Wylie, Texas
Once known as the “Onion Capital of the World,” Wylie is a fast-growing community with strong schools and abundant recreation opportunities for families.
Population: 59,394
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 169
Major City Nearby: Dallas
36. Waltham, Massachusetts
Nicknamed “the watch city” because it was home to an early watch factory, this diverse Boston suburb dates from the 17th century. Today, it is home to both Bentley University and Brandeis University.
Population: 64,015
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 169
Major City Nearby: Boston
35. Merrimack, New Hampshire
Options abound in Merrimack. Within an hour, you can get to busy Boston, hike in the beautiful Kearsarge Mountain State Forest, or take a dip at Hampton Beach State Park on the Atlantic coast.
Population: 27,132
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 172
Major City Nearby: Manchester
34. Little Elm, Texas
A suburban vibe and easy access to parks and lakes, including an entertainment district on the shores of Lake Lewisville, would make this an appealing place to live even if crime rates weren’t so exceptionally low.
Population: 51,042
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 176
Major City Nearby: Dallas
33. Edwardsville, Illinois
Edwardsville may be in Illinois, but it is a suburb of St. Louis and benefited from proximity to Route 66 as it grew. Among the oldest cities in Illinois, it has produced five of the state’s governors.
Population: 25,218
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 178
Major City Nearby: St. Louis
32. Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, about 23 miles north of Boston, was incorporated in 1646 and later became a thriving mill town. The city is home to prestigious college prep school Phillips Academy.
Population: 36,517
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 182
Major City Nearby: Boston
31. Cumberland, Rhode Island
Cumberland boasts a lovely bike trail which will eventually be part of a continuous 31.9-mile route. Its unique public library is built on the site of a former monastery, with tranquil walking paths and, in the summer, a free “Music at the Monastery” concert series.
Population: 36,434
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 184
Major City Nearby: Providence
30. Brandon, Mississippi
This city may be 193 years old, but it is one of the fastest-growing cities in Mississippi.
Population: 25,373
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 186
Major City Nearby: Jackson
29. Mundelein, Illinois
Less than an hour west of Chicago, Mundelein offers well-priced housing and a strong school system. Top employers are industrial and manufacturing companies, but the village also offers easy access to the Windy City.
Population: 31,560
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 187
Major City Nearby: Chicago
28. Wellesley, Massachusetts
West of Newton, Wellesley is a much smaller municipality, though the median household income is higher, at over $226,000, and the homeownership rate tops 80%.
Population: 30,191
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 189
Major City Nearby: Boston
Recommended: Cost of Living by State
27. North Andover, Massachusetts
Massachusetts makes a good showing on the safest cities list, representing nearly 30% of the burgs listed.
Population: 30,711
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 190
Major City Nearby: Boston
26. Reading, Massachusetts
Another Boston suburb just north of the city, Reading is a town of about 9,200 households with a median household income just over $145,000.
Population: 25,223
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 192
Major City Nearby: Boston
25. Mason, Ohio
Mason is the largest city in Warren County. The county is known as “Ohio’s Largest Playground” and boasts regional attractions including the Golf Center, the Great Wolf Lodge, and Kings Island amusement park.
Population: 35,089
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 192
Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
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24. Billerica, Massachusetts
Billerica sits on the Shawsheen and Concord rivers about 20 miles northwest of Boston and is home to about 15,000 households.
Population: 41,453
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 195
Major City Nearby: Boston
23. Johns Creek, Georgia
The City of Johns Creek is a fairly young one, having been designated in 2006. But it is home to 200 companies and a thriving population.
Population: 82,065
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 202
Major City Nearby: Atlanta
22. West Bloomfield, Michigan
This township less than 30 miles from Detroit has many small- and medium-sized lakes. West Bloomfield has a large Jewish population and is home to the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit.
Population: 65,560
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 204
Major City Nearby: Detroit
21. Colleyville, Texas
Conveniently sandwiched between the Dallas and Fort Worth areas, Colleyville offers a rural feel close to big-city amenities.
Population: 27,091
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 154
Major City Nearby: Dallas
20. South Kingstown, Rhode Island
South Kingstown is home to two scenic beaches, as well as picturesque farmlands and a riverfront walkway.
Population: 31,851
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 212
Major City Nearby: Providence
19. Windsor, Colorado
The only Colorado city on the list, Windsor, near the front range of the Rocky Mountains, once boasted giant herds of bison and a bustling sugar beet industry. Today, it is a hotbed of green industry, including windmill blade production and ethanol production.
Population: 35,788
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 218
Major City Nearby: Greeley
18. Wakefield, Massachusetts
Residents of Wakefield enjoy easy commuter-rail service to Boston and recreational activities on and around scenic Lake Quannapowitt.
Population: 27,104
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 218
Major City Nearby: Boston
17. Madison, Mississippi
This suburb of Jackson has a rural feel and a small-town atmosphere. It is a popular choice for retirees.
Population: 27,719
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 221
Major City Nearby: Jackson
16. Avon Lake, Ohio
This suburb of Cleveland lies on the shore of Lake Erie. Ample parks, a bike trail, and an aquatic center ensure residents of all ages have plenty of options for fitness.
Population: 25,588
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 232
Major City Nearby: Cleveland
15. White Lake, Michigan
Of the four Michigan cities on this list, White Lake ranks the safest.
Population: 30,990
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 233
Major City Nearby: Detroit
14. Needham, Massachusetts
Like many of the Massachusetts cities on this list, Needham is a well-off bedroom community of Boston, with a median household income of about $174,000.
Population: 32,048
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 233
Major City Nearby: Boston
13. Milton, Massachusetts
In Milton, an attractive suburb 10 miles south of Boston, is the birthplace of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush.
Population: 27,593
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 367
Major City Nearby: Boston
12. Oswego, Illinois
Located about 50 miles west of Chicago on the Fox River, Oswego lies on two rail lines and near three state highways and two U.S. highways. It has experienced rapid growth in recent years.
Population: 35,316
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 238
Major City Nearby: Chicago
11. Independence, Kentucky
The only Kentucky town to make it to the list, Independence is a short drive across the Ohio River to Cincinnati.
Population: 28,920
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 253
Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
10. Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, in eastern Idaho, is one of the only cities on this list that’s not near a major metropolitan area. Its proximity to nature is one of its calling cards. Yellowstone National Park is just 80 miles away.
Population: 35,300
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 253
Major City Nearby: N/A
9. Muskego, Wisconsin
This cozy city sits within the orbit of Milwaukee and within the greater Chicago area.
Population: 25,242
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 265
Major City Nearby: Milwaukee
8. Lexington, Massachusetts
Known as the town where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired, Lexington is a suburb of Boston where the median household income tops $200,000.
Population: 34,071
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 270
Major City Nearby: Boston
7. Zionsville, Indiana
Excellent schools and stable home values attract residents looking for a small-town feel just 20 minutes outside Indianapolis.
Population: 31,702
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 275
Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
6. Fulshear, Texas
Fulshear has grown significantly in size in the 21st century, though it has retained its small-town charm.
Population: 25,169
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 276
Major City Nearby: Houston
5. Arlington, Massachusetts
Settled in 1635 as the town of Menotomy, Arlington was renamed in 1867 in honor of those buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The city is just 6 miles from Boston.
Population: 45,617
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 292
Major City Nearby: Boston
4. Marshfield, Massachusetts
Marshfield is 30 miles from Boston on the South Shore where Cape Cod meets the Massachusetts Bay. The year-round population grows to 40,000 in the summer months.
Population: 25,869
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 300
Major City Nearby: Boston
3. Lake in the Hills, Illinois
Once a sleepy rural community home to seasonal residents who enjoyed the area’s lakes, Lake in the Hills became a quickly growing suburb of Chicago in the last few decades.
Population: 28,945
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 321
Major City Nearby: Chicago
2. Franklin, Massachusetts
Franklin is conveniently located between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. The town is named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, whose donated books formed the first public library in the country.
Population: 33,036
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 344
Major City Nearby: Boston
1. Ridgefield, Connecticut
This pretty colonial town nestled in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains was founded over 300 years ago and today ranks as America’s safest city. Visitors come for its historic Main Street. Families stay for its strong schools and, of course, its excellent safety rating.
Population: 25,011
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 1.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 510
Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
The Takeaway
It’s a safe bet that house hunters will find many of these 50 safest cities in the U.S. appealing. There’s a lot to like about these towns in addition to their low crime rates, including great schools, high-quality housing stock, and natural wonders.
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