Top Safest Places to Live in the U.S.

According to Business Insider, the US was ranked as the 131st safest country out of 163 in the world in 2023 by the Global Peace Index. Despite this ranking, many people are interested in purchasing property here, and those already living in the US may be seeking a safer place to reside.

So, if you’re planning to move to the US and first want to know what to pay attention to or are just curious about the safest places in the country, we’ve gathered vast data on crime, disaster preparedness, community measures, and the frequency of registered sex offenders into a clear list of top cities that prioritize safety. Get an overview of these cities as we outline what contributes to their high scores of security.

Exploring America’s Haven: Signs of a Safe City

The safety of American cities extends beyond mere low crime rates. A comprehensive picture of a city’s, let’s say, well-being, is painted through different key indicators, encompassing aspects like:

• Natural disaster probabilities
• Community safety scores
• Traffic fatalities
• Assault rates
• Risks associated with natural disasters
• Unemployment rate
• Financial stability

But how do these factors contribute to the real-world security of towns? We’ll examine some of the elements further.

Financial Stability

Financial stability holds a significant place in the broad context of safety. Job security, for instance, provides employees with a sense of stability, which is crucial for their contribution to the economy. Employees with secure jobs tend to be more satisfied and mentally stable, leading to better productivity and positive effects on the place’s financial state.

Job security and, consequently, community safety are enhanced by organizations that prioritize employee well-being, foster robust teamwork, and present opportunities for professional development. Individual employees also play a significant role in the workforce’s stability by being reliable and continually updating their skills. In fact, even personal finance plays an important role. Emergency savings, for instance, act as a financial buffer during unplanned expenses, helping individuals avoid debt and contribute to the overall stability of the city.

Preparedness for Natural Disasters

Towns with superior preparedness for natural disasters have the following characteristics:

• Well-communicated and regularly reviewed disaster response plans
• Adequate emergency shelters and evacuation routes
• Efficient warning systems and communication networks
• Trained emergency response teams
• Robust infrastructure and building codes
• Accessible healthcare facilities and emergency services

Disaster preparedness also calls for regular updates to contingency plans and consistent training of emergency personnel, along with involving community members and volunteers.

Community Safety Scores

Community safety scores, which play a crucial role in gauging the overall well-being of a city, are intricately tied to various factors, with low property crime rates standing out as a significant contributor. Taking Irvine, California, as a noteworthy example, its commendable standing in property crime statistics underscores its commitment to creating a safe living space for its residents. Irvine boasts the distinction of having the fewest assaults per capita, a testament to the city’s proactive measures in crime prevention and community policing.

The Safest Cities Unveiled: Where Security Meets Quality of Life

MoneyGeek published a list highlighting the safest and most dangerous cities in the US, utilizing the FBI’s crime data from 2021 (the latest data as of now). Cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants were examined, analyzing FBI crime statistics that consider violent and property crimes.

You might be surprised to learn that:

• Thousand Oaks, California, holds the title for the country’s safest city.
• Rankings for other cities like South Burlington have dipped.
• Laredo has significantly climbed up.
• Despite larger cities often being more dangerous, Honolulu stands out as the safest large city in America.

Spotlight on Suburban Sanctuaries

Suburbs are often synonymous with security. According to a SmartAsset 2023 study, you’ll find some of the lowest violent crime rates in midwestern suburbs like:

• Edgerton, Wisconsin
• Great Falls, Virginia
• Mason and Canal Winchester, Ohio
• West University Place, Texas
• Key Biscayne, Florida
• Northbrook and Orland Park, Illinois
• Vail, Arizona
• Fort Wright, Kentucky

These suburbs report fewer than 35 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

According to Bankrate, Naples, Florida, with its luxury shops and art galleries, maintains a low violent crime rate of 3.28 incidents per 1,000 residents. Cities like Glen Cove, New York, and Santa Clarita, California, score highly for safety on a national level, with crime rates of 8.38 and 9.9 crimes per 1,000 people respectively. Affordability accompanies safety in suburbs like those in Indianapolis, with Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville providing housing costs below 17.5% of the median household income.

Urban Oases: Safe Havens in Big Cities

Despite the common stereotype associating big cities with a lack of safety, some defy this notion. For example, among the cities with a population of over 300,000, Honolulu, Hawaii, has been named the safest large city in America for 2023.

Other large cities maintaining high security standards include:

• Irvine, California
• New York
• San Jose, California
• Henderson, Nevada
• Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Arlington, Texas
• Omaha, Nebraska

Living Without Fear: The Lowdown on Violent and Property Crimes

The well-being of cities and their residents is significantly affected by violent and property crimes. MoneyGeek’s evaluation of the safest cities included an analysis of such crimes as:

• Murder
• Rape
• Aggravated assault
• Home burglary
• Motor vehicle theft

Among cities with populations exceeding 100,000, Naperville, Illinois, is recognized for its exceptional safety, holding a reputation as the safest city in this category.

But how do these facts reflect in the experiences and perceptions of the residents? Crime cost per capita serves as an insightful measure of security. For instance, Thousand Oaks, California, ranks as the safest city, and Birmingham, Alabama, is identified as the most dangerous place in this respect.

Violent Crime Rate: Finding the Calmest Corners

When it comes to violent crime rates, some places are considerably calmer than others. Carmel, Indiana, West Covina, California, and Sugar Land, Texas, are known for their low violent crime rates, contributing to their status as some of the safest places in the US.

Even larger cities like Boston, Massachusetts, have areas with unexpectedly low crime rates, boasting a result of 2.93 crimes per 1,000 residents. In contrast, St. Louis, Missouri, has been named the most dangerous city in America for 2023.

Property Crime Perspective

Property crimes are another key factor to consider. Cary, North Carolina, is recognized as one of the safest cities in America with the lowest property crime rate, just 19.8 per 1,000 residents.

Other places with notably low property crime rates include Murrieta, California, Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Naperville, Illinois.

Navigating Natural Disaster Risks: Cities That Stand Strong

Being prepared for natural disasters is another crucial aspect of security. Some cities stand out in this regard, with Lynchburg, Virginia, having the lowest natural hazards risk score.

Other cities that stand strong against natural disaster risks include Roanoke, Virginia, Midland, Texas, Lynchburg, Virginia, Macon, Georgia, and Warner Robins, Georgia.

Richmond, Virginia, enjoyed the reputation as the safest city from natural disasters in 2023, thanks to its low natural hazards risk and the high accessibility to medical facilities in the area.

Cities With the Highest and Lowest Frequency of Registered Sex Offenders

The idea of a sex offender living in your neighborhood is scary. In fact, if there are too many of them, it’s a sign that the city isn’t safe.

As of February 2023, more than 786,000 sex offenders are registered in the United States. Wilmington, Delaware, Orlando, Florida, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, have the highest concentrations of sex offenders. On the other hand, Baltimore, Maryland, Fort Worth, Texas, Nashville, Tennessee, Omaha, Nebraska, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, have the lowest ratio of those with a history of sexual offenses.

If you want to know whether sex offenders live in your neighborhood, you can find this out by reverse searching your address. With reverse address lookup, you’ll learn their names, ages, hair and eye colors, heights, and distinguishing marks.

The Price of Peace: Cost of Living in America’s Most Secure Cities

Living in the safest cities in America doesn’t come without a price. In 2022, the average cost of crime per capita in the US was $2,221. This indicates the financial impact of crime on communities across the country. However, residents of Irvine, California, enjoy a lower per capita crime cost of $364, demonstrating that safety in a megapolis doesn’t always come at a high price.

Balancing Budgets and Barriers

Balancing security and affordability can be a challenge, as housing costs in the top safest places are usually 10% higher than the national average.

Even groceries in cities with low crime rates can cost approximately 5% more. However, despite higher costs in certain aspects, some residents may find the cost worthwhile for the added peace of mind and lower crime rates.

Home Values and Safety

An increased perception of safety among residents often leads to a rise in property values in more secure neighborhoods. Cities like Thousand Oaks, California, and Fishers, Indiana, with lower per capita crime costs, have higher home values. However, residents in higher crime areas may face depressed home values and elevated costs for essential services such as insurance, reflecting the adverse economic effects of crime.

Safety First: The Role of Personal and Public Initiatives

Both personal and public initiatives are instrumental in upholding safety in cities. Municipal Violence Prevention Committees, consisting of community members, NGOs, and safety authorities, proactively develop solutions to security concerns.

‘Report a Concern’ technology enables citizens to inform local governments about non-emergency safety concerns, improving community responsiveness. Collaboration among local businesses, schools, and community organizations also ensures coordinated emergency responses.

Summary

City safety is a complex and multifaceted issue. It encompasses financial stability, natural disaster preparedness, community safety scores, the balance between security and affordability in the cost of living, and a low frequency of registered sex offenders. The societal costs of safety, the politics of protection, and the role of personal and public initiatives are all integral to maintaining the well-being of cities.

FAQ

What is the safest city in the USA?

Honolulu, Hawaii, is considered to be the safest city in the USA with a population of over 300,000 residents. If we take lower populated places, Naperville, Illinois, with a population of more than 100,000 people, wins in this category.

What is the most dangerous city in the country?

St. Louis, Missouri, has a longstanding association with elevated levels of violent criminal activity and is considered one of the most dangerous cities in America.

What factors contribute to a city’s security?

A city’s security is determined by factors such as financial stability, natural disaster preparedness, community safety scores, and a low frequency of sex offenders.

What are the signs that a place isn’t secure for its residents?

A high unemployment rate, a large number of mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and hate crimes in general can be evaluated to determine the unsafety of a city. Earthquake risk, traffic fatalities, natural disaster risk, and a high frequency of registered sex offenders also contribute to this evaluation.

Are suburban areas safer than megapolises?

Suburban areas are generally considered safer, but some larger cities, like Honolulu, Hawaii, have shown exceptional security. So, it really depends on the specific location and its crime rates.

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