What are the safest cities in the US? With more than 430 mass shootings in the United States, nearly 14,000 Americans lost out gun violencealmost 29,000 motor vehicle deaths throughout the country and 24 billion dollars in climate disasters— only in 2024 — it’s no wonder that safety is top of mind for many Americans, whether they’re looking for a place to travel or a place to live.

To address these concerns, WalletHub published a new report on the safest cities in the USAas well as the safest statesproviding a data-driven look at where Americans are best protected from physical, financial and environmental threats.

“When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immediately go to things like crime rate, auto fatality rate or risk of natural disasters,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a statement. “But America’s safest cities go beyond protecting residents from personal injury and property damage. It also works to ensure people’s financial security by ensuring lower rates of identity theft, unemployment and housing instability.”

To determine the rankings, WalletHub compared more than 180 US cities and all 50 states across 52 safety metrics. The analysis looked at factors such as violent crime rates, road safety, financial stability, vulnerability to natural disasters and others. Each city and state was ranked in three key dimensions: home and community safety, natural disaster risk, and financial security. Scores were weighted to reflect the relative importance of each factor. You can compare this list with previous rankings such as this 2023 list of the safest cities in the US.

The safest cities in the US

Topping the list as the safest city in America is South Burlington, Vermont. Located along the shores of Lake Champlain, South Burlington is known for its scenic landscapes, parks like the Overlook and Red Rocks, and its proximity to Vermont’s Green Mountains. The city has a low crime rate – ranking ninth on the list for home and community safety. South Burlington also has the lowest pedestrian fatality rate in the country and the 13th lowest percentage of uninsured drivers. Financial security is also a strength: With a low national unemployment rate of 1.9%, South Burlington residents are at a lower risk of financial hardship, benefiting from one of the lowest underwater mortgage rates and non-business bankruptcies per capita. And there is a low risk of natural disasters, from floods to wildfires. Neighboring Burlington, Vermont fared well on the list, coming in at number four.

Second on the list is Casper, Wyoming, a city known for its wide open spaces and outdoor recreation. Casper scores high for pedestrian and neighborhood safety. It has one of the lowest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. He also does well when it comes to murder. It is the second safest city to walk alone at night and the fourth safest to walk alone during the day, according to a recent Numbeo study, and has the 32nd lowest rate of aggravated assault in the country. Casper’s low risk of fraud — with the fewest identity theft complaints and the second fewest fraud complaints per capita — adds to its high safety rating.

Warwick, Rhode Island rounds out the top three safest cities in the US. The waterfront city, not far from Providence, is known for its exceptionally low crime rates and proactive community safety efforts. Warwick has the fewest crimes and aggravated assaults per capita, along with one of the lowest burglary rates. Residents also benefit from favorable conditions for financial security, with low levels of poverty and a strong employment rate.

While many cities have successfully cultivated safe environments, others face ongoing challenges, battling high crime rates and safety risks that affect both physical and financial well-being. New Orleans ranks at the bottom of the list of safest cities, closely followed by another Louisiana city: Baton Rouge. Following the five least safe cities are Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Detroit and Memphis.

The safest states in the US

In WalletHub’s state rankings, Vermont is named the safest in the US for 2024. Nearly 77% of Vermont parents report feeling safe in their communities. With a strong job market, Vermont’s 2.1 percent unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the nation, supported by the state’s overall economic stability, which includes the lowest percentage of underwater mortgages and the second-lowest identity theft complaints per capita. Vermont’s commitment to road safety is also noteworthy, with the seventh fewest traffic fatalities per 100 million miles driven.

New Hampshire is the second safest state on WalletHub’s list, thanks in large part to its low violent and nonviolent crime rates. New Hampshire holds the record for the fewest mass shootings in the last two years and also has the second fewest murders per capita. Additionally, more than 78 percent of New Hampshire residents say they feel safe in their neighborhoods (the highest rate in the country). Financially, the state is also strong, with a low unemployment rate and the lowest poverty rate in the country.

Maine is the third safest state. Maine has low crime rates, with the second fewest aggravated assaults and the third fewest thefts per capita. It excels in both financial stability and job security, with one of the lowest unemployment rates and the third best job growth rate in the US. In addition, Maine has the third lowest number of non-business bankruptcy filings per capita.

While some states excel at protecting their residents, others face challenges in various safety categories. Louisiana ranks as the least safe state in the US for 2024, due in large part to its high crime rates, financial instability and vulnerability to natural disasters. Louisiana is closely followed by Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and Florida, each facing high risks in categories such as violent crime, financial insecurity and environmental threats.

Read on for lists of the safest US cities as well as the safest states; You can also get more details in the original report.

Ranked: 25 Safest US Cities

1. South Burlington, Vermont
2. Casper, Wyoming
3. Warwick, Rhode Island
4. Burlington, Vermont
5. Boise, Idaho
6. Yonkers, New York
7. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
8. Columbia, Maryland
9. Portland, Maine
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia
11. Irvine, California
12. Fargo, North Dakota
13. Chesapeake, Virginia
14. Missoula, Montana
15. Nashua, New Hampshire
16. Juneau, Alaska
17. Vancouver, Washington
18. Honolulu, Hawaii
19. Madison, Wisconsin
20. Huntsville, Alabama
21. Laredo, Texas
22. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
23. Chula Vista, California
24. Fremont, California
25. Glendale, California

Ranked: Safest US States

1. Vermont
2. New Hampshire
3. Tomorrow
4. Massachusetts
5. Utah
6. Hawaii
7. Connecticut
8. Minnesota
9. Rhode Island
10. Wyoming
11. Idaho
12. Indian
13. Iowa
14. Arizona
15. virgin
16. Maryland
17. New Jersey
18. Washington
19. Wisconsin
20. Delaware
21. Kentucky
22. Oregon
23. North Carolina
24. new york
25. Alaska
26. Michigan
27. North Dakota
28. Pennsylvania
29. South Dakota
30. West Virginia
31. Illinois
32. Ohio
33. New Mexico
34. Nebraska
35. Kansas
36. Nevada
37. California
38. mountain
39. Missouri
40. Tennessee
41. South Carolina
42. Georgia
43. COLORADO
44. Alabama
45. Oklahoma
46. Florida
47. Arkansas
48. Texas
49. Mississippi
50. Louisiana

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