10 Safest Cities in the U.S.

Updated On October 6, 2023

There are approximately 334,233,854 people living in the United States.

Living in a town that is considered “safe” is a priority for many families.

Property crimes in the United States are 1,933 offenses per 100,000.

Violent crimes in the United States are 379.4 per 100,000 people.  

Besides the 50 states that make up the U.S., there are also several territories that make up the country including the Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa.

Additionally, the world’s largest economy is located in the United States.

This guide will inform you about the top 10 safest cities in the United States.

So, whether you’re considering moving here from another country or relocating within, you will find everything you need to know right here.

10 Safest Cities in the United States

Here are the top 10 safest cities in America based on violent crime and property crime rates.  

Carmel, Indiana
Carmel, Indiana

1. Carmel, Indiana

Carmel, Indiana ranks number one for the safest city in America.

The population here is 100,777.

Residents here have easy access to plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and parks.

Overall, Carmel, IN provides residents with a suburban feel, and many here are actual homeowners.

The average cost of living in Carmel, IN is $1,936.

Carmel’s crime rate is 45.68 per 100,000 residents.

This number is 88.45% less than the national average crime rate in the U.S.

This makes Carmel an entirely safe city to live in.

Additionally, Carmel sees a low number of property crimes compared to the national average.

Frisco, Texas
Frisco, Texas

2. Frisco, Texas

Frisco, TX has a population of 210,719.

The average cost of living here is $1,945.

Texas, overall, has plenty of safe cities to live in.

There are approximately four on this list, with Frisco making the number two spot.

The crime rate in Frisco, TX is 86.75 per 100,000 residents.

This is nearly two times safer compared to the average in the U.S. 

In Frisco, the crime rate is 78% lower than the average in the United States.

There are approximately 80 parks in Frisco spread across 1,300 acres of land.

They are also big on fitness and sports.

Pearland, Texas
Pearland, Texas

3. Pearland, Texas

Pearland, TX has a population of 125,990.

The average cost of living in Pearland is $1,950.

This is the second city in Texas to make the list.

The crime rate in Pearland is 90 per 100,000 residents.

Overall, it is 77% safer than the national average in the United States.

Pearland is not too far from the capital of Texas which is Houston.

It’s about a 23-minute drive.

Because of this, many people prefer to reside in Pearland and drive to Houston when they are looking for local attractions.

Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land, Texas

4. Sugar Land, Texas

Another Texas city to make the list of the top 10 safest cities in America is Sugar Land.

The population here is 109,373.

The average cost of living is $1,853.

Sugar Land is considered an urban city, conveniently located in Fort Bend County, TX.

Compared to other urban areas both statewide and in the country, the crime rates in Sugar Land are extremely low.

The crime rate here is 91 per 100,000 residents.

Compared to the rest of the country, Sugar Land is 77% safer.

The cost of living here is relatively low.

There are also plenty of recreational activities for residents to take advantage of here.

Cary, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina

5. Cary, North Carolina

Cary, North Carolina has a population of 176,987.

The average cost of living is $1,989.

It’s a suburban town located in Wake County, NC.

It is also one of the best places in the entire state to live in due to its low crime rate.

The crime rate in Cary is 91.61 per 100,000 residents.

When compared to the national average, it is much lower.

Additionally, Cary ranks number one for the best place for employment in the country.

The biggest industries for employment in Cary are healthcare, technology, and education.

Various companies such as Apple and Google are located in Cary.

Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia

6. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach, VA has a population of 457,672 with an average cost of living of $2,047.

It is number six on the list of the safest cities in the United States.

Not only is the city of Virginia Beach safe, it provides an excellent quality of life to those who reside there.

Additionally, Virginia Beach ranked number three for both quality of life and low cost by Wallethub.

If you are someone who enjoys being by the water, whether just relaxing on the beach or swimming, you’ll enjoy Virginia Beach.

Furthermore, Virginia Beach’s crime rate is 117.07 per 100,000 residents.

McKinney, Texas
McKinney, Texas

7. McKinney, Texas

Number seven on the list of the top ten safest cities in America is McKinney, TX.

McKinney has a population of 202,690 and an average cost of living of $1,893.

This town has a solid suburban feel and a thriving economy.

The city of McKinney has an abundant history of manufacturing and technology.

There are plenty of job openings in finance, insurance, and healthcare.

The crime rate in McKinney is 66% less than the average in the U.S.

Additionally, the property crime rate in McKinney is 58% less than the country’s average.

Sandy Springs Skyline
Sandy Springs, Georgia

8. Sandy Springs, Georgia

Sandy Springs, GA also made the list of the top ten safest cities in America.

The population in Sandy Springs stands at 107,180 with an average cost of living of $1,945.

Sandy Springs is located in Fulton County, GA.

The crime rate here is 63% lower than the average in the United States.

Additionally, they see 397.50 crimes per 100,000 residents.

Sandy Springs is one of the best towns to raise a family in.

They have a lot to offer its residents such as parks, coffee shops, and restaurants.

They also recently renovated downtown Sandy Springs, currently known as City Springs.

Meridian, Idaho
Meridian, Idaho

9. Meridian, Idaho

With a population of 125,963, Meridian, Idaho is one of the safest towns in the entire country.

They have an average cost of living of $1,951. The crime rate here is 159 per 100,000 residents.

Not only is Meridian entirely safe for all who live here, but they also have a thriving job market.

Many people have begun relocating to Meridian due to this very reason.

Meridian is the third-largest town in Idaho.

It is also a short driving distance to Boise, which is the state capital.

Sterling Heights, Michigan
Sterling Heights, Michigan

10. Sterling Heights, Michigan

Finally, Sterling Heights, Michigan is the last on the list of the top 10 safest cities in America.

The population in Sterling Heights is 133,269.

The average cost of living is $1,827.

The crime rate in Sterling Heights is 43% less than the national average.

Furthermore, residents living here experience fewer property crimes compared to the national average.

Sterling Heights, MI is also charming,

The cost of living is substantially lower in comparison to the national average.

And everything else including utilities, groceries, transportation, and several others is cheaper compared to other cities.

5 Safety Tips for Traveling to the United States

Here are five safety tips to keep in mind when traveling to the U.S.

1. Keep Personal Belongings Close

When traveling to the U.S. be sure that you keep your personal items close to you at all times

This is especially true when traveling on public transportation and while sightseeing.

Petty crime is common in the U.S.

However, it’s even more common in places where tourists are likely to travel.

2. Be Selective when Using ATMs

When traveling to America, another travel safety tip to keep in mind is to only use ATMs in safe locations.

For example, only use ATMs that are located within banks and during the day.

Avoid using ATMs at night and in gas stations, as these are known to steal your information.

3. Watch Surroundings

No matter where you are, always pay attention to your surroundings.

This is especially true in larger cities.

4. Consider Installing eSim on Phone

Installing an eSim on your phone can be quite useful as you may be unable to use your phone with your regular sim in the U.S.

There are eSims that offer unlimited data, which is highly recommended.

Having an eSim ensures that your phone has working service as soon as you get off the airplane.

5. Leave Valuables Behind

Another important safety tip to keep in mind when traveling to the U.S. is to avoid walking around with a lot of valuables.

Leave them behind, so you don’t risk having your items stolen.

United States Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: United States Safety Review

Safety Index:
68
  • OVERALL RISK: LOW
  • TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
  • PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
  • NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
  • MUGGING RISK: LOW
  • TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
  • SCAMS RISK: LOW
  • WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Frequently Asked Questions

What city has the highest crime rate in the U.S.?

St. Louis has the highest crime rate in the U.S.

On average, St. Louis sees 87.8 homicides per 100,000 people each year.

Several factors contribute to the crime rate including racial tensions, poverty, and lack of jobs.

What towns are the least safe to visit in America?

Towns that are the least safe to visit in America, in no particular order, are:

  • Alexandria, Louisiana
  • Flint, Michigan
  • Youngstown, Ohio
  • Wilmington, Delaware
  • Houma, Louisiana

What are the largest safest cities in America?

In no particular order, some of the largest and safest cities in the U.S. are:

  • Mesa, Arizona
  • Tampa, Florida
  • Austin, Texas
  • El Paso, Texas
  • San Diego, California

1 Comment on 10 Safest Cities in the U.S.

  1. M
    Michelle says:

    I am from McKinney Texas and I understand why it made the list, I never feel unsafe here, people are more friendly here than everywhere else I have been, and I am glad I moved here.

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