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, which looks at the property and violent crime in cities across the country.
What Are the Safest Cities in the U.S.?
The safest cities in America tend to be suburban areas close to major cities like New York and 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 17, and when you factor in Connecticut towns, New England represents nearly 40% of the safest cities.
Residents of the cities that made the list (pop. 25,000 and over) tend to have a median household income over $100,000, though that isn’t the case in every town.
Recommended: Price-to-Rent Ratio in 50 Cities
Here’s a countdown of the 50 safest cities in the U.S. that you could call home.
Sources: Neighborhood Scout, Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer
50. Moorpark, California
Located in Ventura County in Southern California, Moorpark sits 50 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The city was incorporated in 1983 and was named after the Moorpark apricot that grew throughout the valley. The city is a natural choice for raising a family, with nine schools and the lowest serious crime rate in the county.
Population: 36,375
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 137
Major City Nearby: Oxnard
49. Belmont, Massachusetts
This city in the western suburbs of Boston offers residents highly rated schools and lots of restaurants, coffee shops and parks. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many families choose to call Belmont home.
Population: 26,116
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 138
Major City Nearby: Boston
48. 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: 40,290
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 138
Major City Nearby: Houston
47. Syracuse, Utah
Located on the shores of the Great Salt Lake, this farming community is rapidly transforming into a suburban outpost of Salt Lake City. The city offers easy access to Antelope Island State Park, home to bison, pronghorn antelope and other desert creatures.
Population: 31,458
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 142
Major City Nearby: Ogden
46. Plainfield, Illinois
This village on the outskirts of the Chicago metro area has put a lot of effort into making its vibrant downtown pedestrian-friendly to give residents easy access to restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
Population: 44,308
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 143
Major City Nearby: Chicago
45. Wallingford, Connecticut
One of three Connecticut towns to make the safest cities list, Wallingford began as a settlement along the Quinnipiac River in 1667. Since then, the city has grown to be home to more than 40,000 residents and has its own symphony orchestra, which performs throughout the year at the Paul Mellon Arts Center.
Population: 44,326
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 143
Major City Nearby: New Haven
44. Westport, Connecticut
This small city on Long Island Sound offers access to beaches, Sherwood Island State Park, and a quaint downtown on the Saugatuck River.
Population: 28,491
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 144
Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
43. Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Tucked against the mountains in Orange County, Rancho Santa Margarita offers a respite from the urban sprawl of much of the rest of Southern California. The city is master planned to balance the amenities of a small city with the natural landscape.
Population: 47,896
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 144
Major City Nearby: Los Angeles
42. North Andover, Massachusetts
Massachusetts makes a good showing on the safest cities list, representing nearly 30% of the burgs listed.
Population: 31,188
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 145
Major City Nearby: Boston
41. 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. The city is considered the safest in Michigan.
Population: 74,516
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 145
Major City Nearby: Detroit
40. Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Bridgewater lies south of Boston, northwest of Cape Cod, and east of Providence, Rhode Island.
Population: 27,619
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 148
Major City Nearby: Boston
39. 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: 33,870
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 148
Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
38. Harrison, New York
Nestled near the Connecticut border, the Westchester County city of Harrison is just a stone’s throw from New York City. The town is home to one of America’s richest ZIP codes, the neighborhood of Purchase, where the average income reaches beyond $800,000.
Population: 28,943
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 150
Major City Nearby: New York
37. Rosemount, Minnesota
The only Minnesota city to make the list, Rosemount offers residents access to the resources and culture of the Twin Cities while enjoying one of America’s safest towns.
Population: 25,207
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 150
Major City Nearby: Minneapolis
36. Newton, Massachusetts
Just over the Boston line, Newton is a wealthy suburb where the median household income in 2019 was over $150,000 and 72% of the population consisted of homeowners. Newton is the largest city by population to make the top 50 list.
Population: 88,414
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 151
Major City Nearby: Boston
35. Wellesley, Massachusetts
West of Newton, Wellesley is a much smaller municipality, though the median household income is higher, at over $197,000, and the homeownership rate tops 80%.
Population: 28,670
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 151
Major City Nearby: Boston
34. Sammamish, Washington
Located on the eastern shores of Lake Sammamish, the town offers a spread-out suburban feel with highly rated public schools and access to restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Population: 65,892
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 153
Major City Nearby: Seattle
33. 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
32. Rahway, New Jersey
The first of five New Jersey cities to make the top 50 list, Rahway is located just west of Staten Island. Median income is modest, nearing $79,000 per household.
Population: 29,895
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 154
Major City Nearby: New York
31. 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: 42,174
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 155
Major City Nearby: Boston
30. Ridgewood, New Jersey
A village in Bergen County, Ridgewood is just northwest of New York City. The town is family friendly, with restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Population: 25,056
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 158
Major City Nearby: New York
29. 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: 36,356
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 162
Major City Nearby: Boston
28. Brunswick, Ohio
The largest city in Medina County, Brunswick is about 25 miles southwest of Cleveland. The median household income is nearly $70,000, and about 76% of residents own their own homes.
Population: 34,880
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 169
Major City Nearby: Cleveland
27. Simsbury, Connecticut
Mark Twain used to make the 10-mile walk from his home in Hartford to Talcott Mountain in this historic burg, which counts itself among the safest in Connecticut. The town comprises just under 10,000 households with a median household income of about $124,000.
Population: 25,395
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 170
Major City Nearby: Hartford
26. Weston, Florida
The only Florida town to make the list, Weston is also the second largest by population, after Newton, Massachusetts.
Population: 71,166
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 170
Major City Nearby: Miami
25. Caledonia, Wisconsin
With humble beginnings as a fur trading post in the 1830s, Caledonia has grown to a city of over 25,000.
Population: 25,277
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 170
Major City Nearby: Racine
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24. 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: 31,634
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 178
Major City Nearby: Boston
23. Palatine, Illinois
This city northwest of Chicago has a mix of residential, commercial, and light industrial space with award-winning schools. Palatine is the largest Illinois city to make the list.
Population: 67,482
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 181
Major City Nearby: Chicago
22. Bartlett, Illinois
Built at the intersection of the Chicago and Pacific railways, the town of Bartlett was officially incorporated in 1891. The city experienced a boom in population starting in the 1950s and has since grown to include more than 40,000 residents.
Population: 40,647
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 188
Major City Nearby: Chicago
21. Westfield, New Jersey
Westfield has an award-winning downtown with more than 450 shops, restaurants, and services.
Population: 29,512
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 198
Major City Nearby: New York
20. Independence, Kentucky
The only Kentucky town to make it the list, Independence is a short drive across the Ohio River to Cincinnati.
Population: 28,521
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 205
Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
19. Reading, Massachusetts
Another Boston suburb just north of the city, Reading is a town of about 9,000 households with a median household income of nearly $132,000.
Population: 25,400
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 206
Major City Nearby: Boston
18. 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 $165,000.
Population: 31,388
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 212
Major City Nearby: Boston
17. Cliffside Park, New Jersey
Cliffside has a commanding view of Manhattan from the top of the famed New Jersey palisades. Located between the Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge, the city allows commuters access to New York City.
Population: 28,133
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 212
Major City Nearby: New York
16. North Royalton, Ohio
North Royalton sits just outside of Cleveland near the shores of Lake Erie. It was incorporated as a village in 1927 and became a city in 1961. The median household income is about $70,000 per year.
Population: 30,068
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 214
Major City Nearby: Cleveland
15. 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: 45,531
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 217
Major City Nearby: Boston
14. 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: 43,367
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 217
Major City Nearby: Boston
13. Florence, Arizona
A bit farther from major metropolitan areas than many other cities on this list, Florence is 60 miles from Phoenix.
Population: 27,422
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 230
Major City Nearby: Phoenix
12. 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: 28,634
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 230
Major City Nearby: Chicago
11. 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: 29,400
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 231
Major City Nearby: N/A
10. Marshfield, Massachusetts
Marshfield is 30 miles from Boston on the South Shore where Cape Cod meets the Massachusetts Bay. The year-round population of about 25,000 grows to 40,000 in the summer months.
Population: 25,967
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 249
Major City Nearby: Boston
9. North Ridgeville, Ohio
Cleveland Magazine named this swiftly growing suburb one of the “Best Places to Live in the Cleveland Area.”
Population: 34,392
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.6
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 275
Major City Nearby: Cleveland
8. Muskego, Wisconsin
This cozy city sits within the orbit of Milwaukee and within the greater Chicago area.
Population: 25,127
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 279
Major City Nearby: Milwaukee
7. Bergenfield, New Jersey
The Borough of Bergenfield, which sits across the Hudson River from Yonkers, was first settled by the Dutch. The postwar period brought a boom, with the population reaching its peak in the 1970s.
Population: 27,327
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.4
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 296
Major City Nearby: New York
6. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Shrewsbury was incorporated in 1727 and rests just outside the Boston metropolitan area near the city of Worcester.
Population: 38,526
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 296
Major City Nearby: Worcester
5. 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 $186,000.
Population: 33,132
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 331
Major City Nearby: Boston
4. Zionsville, Indiana
Excellent schools and stable home values attract residents looking for a small-town feel just 20 minutes outside Indianapolis.
Population: 28,357
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.8
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 345
Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
3. Milton, Massachusetts
In Milton, a suburb 10 miles south of Boston, the median household income is over $133,000 a year.
Population: 27,593
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.7
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 367
Major City Nearby: Boston
2. Long Beach, New York
Long Beach is in Nassau County east of New York City. This beachside community is a popular tourist destination during the summer.
Population: 33,454
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.5
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 389
Major City Nearby: New York
1. Franklin, Massachusetts
Franklin is the safest city in America, so it seems. It’s conveniently located between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. About 80% of residents own their own homes, and the median household income is more than $122,000. The town is named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, whose donated books formed the first public library in the country.
Population: 34,087
Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 1.9
Chance of Being a Victim: 1 in 524
Major City Nearby: Boston
The Takeaway
It’s a safe bet that house hunters will find many of these 50 safest cities in the U.S. appealing. If you’re looking for a comfortable landing spot and a home, it’s time to secure a great mortgage loan.
SoFi works with homebuyers from start to finish — and qualifying first-time homebuyers may be able to put as little as 3% down.
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