The Safest Cities In The US: Choosing Where You Should Settle Down

Crime impacts almost all communities, even the best places to live in the U.S. Despite most cities taking steps toward reducing crime rates, safety is still a big concern across America.

If you’re thinking of buying a house, we’ve provided an in-depth analysis of some of the safest cities based on crime rates, household income, affordability and population density using data from Sperling’s BestPlaces and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Key Characteristics To Determine What Makes A City Safe

We gathered relevant data on crime rates, household income, affordability and population density to determine the following list of safest cities in the U.S. For help finding the safest neighborhoods, consider finding a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the local area.

Here are some common characteristics of the best cities in the U.S. which are important factors to consider when buying a house and deciding where to live.

• Population: The closer you live to a city’s urban center, the more neighbors you have. If you’re deciding between a suburb or city, the city always has a much higher population density that the suburbs.
• Crime rate: Crime rates are used to compare cities or regions of varying populations. Higher crime rates negatively impact neighborhood safety.
• Household income: Your household income needs to be enough to cover all basic living expenses. The average cost of living varies drastically across the U.S., so make sure you make at least the minimum income necessary to live in that city.
• Affordability: Even if you saved enough money to purchase a home, the area where you live must also be affordable. Living comfortably within your means should be a top concern.

Safest Cities In America

Everyone wants to live in a safe neighborhood and it’s important to feel assured that you’re moving into an area that’s safe for you and your family. But no matter where you live – from huge metropolitan cities to tiny rural towns – each community deals with crime and safety concerns. But which ones are the safest cities in the U.S.?

Here is our list of the safest cities in America, comparing population density, crime rates, household income and housing prices.

1. Columbia, Maryland

• Population: 104,681
• Violent crime rate: 1
• Property crime rate: 2
• Median household income: $113,592
• Median home price: $425,214 

Taking the number one spot is Columbia, a planned community with 10 self-contained villages located in Howard County, Maryland. The city ranked the safest city by WalletHub for the fifth consecutive year and is considered one of the best cities to live in Maryland. Columbia is centrally located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. with quick access to three international airports. This city is also the community of choice for Maryland businesses.

If you’re thinking of making Columbia, Maryland your new home, check out homes for sale in Columbia, MD and Columbia, MD housing market trends.

2. Boston, Massachusetts

• Population: 654,776
• Violent crime rate: 3
• Property crime rate: 8
• Median household income: $81,744
• Median home price: $775,563

Located on the New England coast as the capital of Massachusetts, Boston has a small-town feel with all the benefits of a larger city. Boston is the site of some of the most significant historical moments in U.S. history, from the Bunker Hill Monument, Faneuil Hall and the Old North Church. Boston has a higher cost of living than most other metro areas, but prices can vary drastically depending on the neighborhood.

Anyone moving to Boston should check homes for sale in Boston, MA and Boston, MA housing market trends.

3. Raleigh, North Carolina

• Population: 467,665
• Violent crime rate: 3
• Property crime rate: 4
• Median household income: $72,996
• Median home price: $401,163

As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is known for its universities and education. The city’s technology and scholarly institutions have made the area part of North Carolina’s famous Research Triangle. The availability of jobs and good schools make Raleigh a desirable area to live and the area is considered relatively affordable compared to the national average. Raleigh also ranked #1 in the best places to live in North Carolina.

You can explore homes for sale in Raleigh, NC and Raleigh, NC housing market trends for more information on the Raleigh real estate market.

4. Plano, Texas

• Population: 288,253
• Violent crime rate: 0
• Property crime rate: 6
• Median household income: $99,729
• Median home price: $498,640

Plano, located in northern Texas, is a vibrant city just 30 minutes away from downtown Dallas. Plano has a strong economy, good schools and a lower crime rate compared to other cities. This family-friendly city has over 800 restaurants and shopping you can only find in cities twice its size. Plano's low violent and property crime rates make it one of the safest cities in Texas.

Moving to Plano? Check out homes for sale in Plano, TX and Plano, TX housing market trends.

5. Santa Clarita, California

• Population: 224,593
• Violent crime rate: 9
• Property crime rate: 2
• Median household income: $106,166
• Median home price: $748,092

Santa Clarita, California, home to several large film and television production studios, is a suburban city located in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Surrounded by scenic hills and mountains, this city is known for its well-planned communities, good schools and lower crime rate and it’s also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Make sure to explore homes for sale in Santa Clarita, CA and Santa Clarita, CA housing market trends.

6. Nashua, New Hampshire

• Population: 91,124
• Violent crime rate: 5
• Property crime rate: 0
• Median household income: $78,501
• Median home price: $410,750

Located near the New Hampshire and Massachusetts border, Nashua is a small city scattered with historical homes and builds. Residents enjoy the city’s picturesque parks, diverse wildlife and numerous trails along the Nashua River. Nashua has a competitive housing market, so make sure to check homes for sale in Nashua, NH and Nashua, NH housing market trends before moving to this city.

7. Laredo, Texas

• Population: 256,153
• Violent crime rate: 2
• Property crime rate: 7
• Median household income: $55,603
• Median home price: $231,800 

Laredo, Texas is located near the Mexican border and has a large Mexican-American population. Because of this, Laredo has strong ties to Mexican culture, including its music, food and traditions. Although Laredo has a smaller median household income, housing prices are much more affordable compared to other cities. If you want to learn more about the Laredo real estate market, check homes for sale in Laredo, TX and Laredo, TX housing market trends.

8. San Jose, California

• Population: 983,489
• Violent crime rate: 0
• Property crime rate: 5
• Median household income: $125,075
• Median home price: $1,301,265

Known as the capital of Silicon Valley, San Jose is a hub for innovation and a sprawling metropolis surrounded by suburban neighborhoods and large tech campuses like Apple, Google and Adobe. The cost of living in San Jose is one of the highest in the country, largely due to the big tech boom. Housing prices are much higher as well as the cost of basic necessities. Check homes for sale in San Jose, CA and San Jose, CA housing market trends for more information on San Jose’s real estate market.

9. Rye, New York

• Population: 16,383
• Violent crime rate: 0
• Property crime rate: 5
• Median household income: $207,930
• Median home price: $1,709,459 

Rye is a coastal suburb and under an hour's drive away from New York City. This Westchester County town started as a secluded farming community and became a seaside resort town and upscale bedroom community. Rye has an extremely low crime rate, but its high housing prices and cost of living make it an area that not everyone can easily afford.

Make sure to explore homes for sale in Rye, NY and Rye, NY housing market trends before settling down in this coastal town.

10. Cambridge, Massachusetts

• Population: 117,090
• Violent crime rate: 7
• Property crime rate: 4
• Median household income: $112,565
• Median home price: $1,137,666 

Cambridge, Massachusetts, the home of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is located across the Charles River from Boston. Here you can also find Kendall Square, also dubbed "the most innovative square mile on the planet" because of the high concentration of entrepreneurial startup businesses. Cambridge has a high cost of living and housing prices have increased by nearly 19% over the past year. For more real estate market updates, stay up to date on homes for sale in Cambridge, MA and Cambridge, MA housing market trends.

11. Madison, Wisconsin

• Population: 269,840
• Violent crime rate: 7
• Property crime rate: 6
• Median household income: $70,466
• Median home price: $359,969

Known for its beautiful domed Wisconsin State Capitol and being the capital of America's Dairyland, Madison ranks number six in the best places to live for quality of life. The cost of living in Madison is higher compared to the national average, but it’s much more affordable than in other cities like Chicago. Madison is generally considered a safe city to live in. Like any urban area, it has neighborhoods with higher crime, but overall the city has low crime rates.

Check out homes for sale in Madison, WI and Madison, WI housing market trends for updates on the current real estate market.

12. Portland, Maine

• Population: 68,313
• Violent crime rate: 1
• Property crime rate: 8
• Median household income: $66,109
• Median home price: $489,000

Portland is the largest city in Maine and an economic hub lined with cobblestone streets and filled with artistic and outdoor adventures. Not only does Portland makes the list of safest cities, but it’s also considered one of the best places to live for quality of life. Crime rates in Portland are lower than the national average for cities of its size; however, affordability is an increasing concern for the city’s residents. Like other parts of the country, housing prices have increased significantly over the last two years.

If you’re moving to the Portland area, check out homes for sale in Portland, ME and Portland, ME housing market trends.

FAQs On Safest Cities In The US

Below you will find the most frequently asked questions on the safest cities in the U.S.

What are the safest states in the US?

The top seven safest states are in the Northeast with New Jersey ranking as one of the safest states in the U.S. Maine has the lowest violent crime rate per capita and Massachusetts had the lowest property crime rate. 

What are the safest big cities in the US?

According to our list, the safest big cities are Boston and San Jose. Other big cities that are considered safe are Virginia Beach, Honolulu and San Diego.

The Bottom Line

Safety is a big concern when deciding where to live, especially when you have a family to look after. We used relevant data on crime rates, household income, affordability and population density to determine the safest cities in the U.S. By taking the above information into consideration, you can make a better decision for where to live.

If you’re planning to buy a house, start the approval process with Rocket Mortgage^Ⓡ.

Methodology: Finding The Safest Cities In The US

To find the safest cities in the U.S., Sperling’s BestPlaces used metropolitan areas as the basis for their study instead of limiting their focus to only cities. Data from government organizations as well as from respected and established private organizations were used to compile crime data.

For information on the demographics of each city, data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, including 2021 population estimates and median household income.