2023 Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.
This year, research for NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America list showed significant shifts in rankings across the nation. Notable improvements include Oswego, IL, jumping from a ranking of 86 to 12; Wakefield, MA, moving from 47 to 18; and Brandon, MS, shifting from 83 to 30. There were also a few cities that dropped in ranking, including Hutto, TX, moving from a ranking of 10 to 88; Cheshire, CT, changing from 14 to 68; and Rahway, NJ, falling from 32 to 85.
List regular Franklin, MA was replaced by Ridgefield, CT as the Safest City in America after a two-year run. With only seven violent crimes and 42 property crimes, Ridgefield has an overall crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 population and is considered safer than 92% of U.S. cities. Interestingly, cities located in Massachusetts dominated the list this year, a total of 26 which includes Franklin, and were sprinkled in rank across the list, most of which are close to the hub of Boston. One city of note is Marshfield, with a violent crime rate of 1.01 per 1,000 population and is safer than 86% of U.S. cities.
As a reminder, our research reveals the 100 safest cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Data used for this research are 1) the number of total crimes reported to the FBI to have occurred in each city, and 2) the population of each city. Based on the latest national data available at the time of publication, representing calendar year 2021 and released in October 2022, this report reveals interesting patterns about safety from crime in America.
Areas with a township form of government are eligible for the safest cities list for the fist time in 2023. Qualifying townships must have their own police departments, at least 25,000 population and a unique name recognized by the US Postal Service. Safest townships appearing on the list include: Montclair, NJ (# 86); Commerce Township, MI (# 38); West Bloomfield, MI (# 22); and White Lake, MI (# 15).
For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America.
Click on any city in the list below to see a full crime report and neighborhood crime map.
1. Ridgefield, CT
- Population: 25,011
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 1.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 510
- Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
2. Franklin, MA
- Population: 33,036
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 344
- Major City Nearby: Boston
3. Lake in the Hills, IL
- Population: 28,945
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 321
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
4. Marshfield, MA
- Population: 25,869
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 300
- Major City Nearby: Boston
5. Arlington, MA
- Population: 45,617
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 292
- Major City Nearby: Boston
6. Fulshear, TX
- Population: 25,169
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 276
- Major City Nearby: Houston
7. Zionsville, IN
- Population: 31,702
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 275
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
8. Lexington, MA
- Population: 34,071
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 270
- Major City Nearby: Boston
9. Muskego, WI
- Population: 25,242
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 265
- Major City Nearby: Milwaukee
10. Rexburg, ID
- Population: 35,300
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 253
- Major City Nearby: N/A
11. Independence, KY
- Population: 28,920
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 253
- Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
12. Oswego, IL
- Population: 35,316
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 238
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
13. Milton, MA
- Population: 28,388
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 233
- Major City Nearby: Boston
14. Needham, MA
- Population: 32,048
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 233
- Major City Nearby: Boston
15. White Lake, MI
- Population: 30,990
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 233
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
16. Avon Lake, OH
- Population: 25,588
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 232
- Major City Nearby: Cleveland
17. Madison, MS
- Population: 27,719
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 221
- Major City Nearby: Jackson
18. Wakefield, MA
- Population: 27,104
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 218
- Major City Nearby: Boston
19. Windsor, CO
- Population: 35,788
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 218
- Major City Nearby: Greeley
20. South Kingstown, RI
- Population: 31,851
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 212
- Major City Nearby: Providence
21. Colleyville, TX
- Population: 25,986
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 206
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
22. West Bloomfield, MI
- Population: 65,560
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 204
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
23. Johns Creek, GA
- Population: 82,065
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 202
- Major City Nearby: Atlanta
24. Billerica, MA
- Population: 41,453
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 195
- Major City Nearby: Boston
25. Mason, OH
- Population: 35,089
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 192
- Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
26. Reading, MA
- Population: 25,223
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 192
- Major City Nearby: Boston
27. North Andover, MA
- Population: 30,711
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 190
- Major City Nearby: Boston
28. Wellesley, MA
- Population: 30,191
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 189
- Major City Nearby: Boston
29. Mundelein, IL
- Population: 31,560
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 187
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
30. Brandon, MS
- Population: 25,373
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 186
- Major City Nearby: Jackson
31. Cumberland, RI
- Population: 36,434
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 184
- Major City Nearby: Providence
32. Andover, MA
- Population: 36,517
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 182
- Major City Nearby: Boston
33. Edwardsville, IL
- Population: 25,218
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 178
- Major City Nearby: St. Louis
34. Little Elm, TX
- Population: 51,042
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 176
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
35. Merrimack, NH
- Population: 27,132
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 172
- Major City Nearby: Manchester
36. Waltham, MA
- Population: 64,015
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 169
- Major City Nearby: Boston
37. Wylie, TX
- Population: 59,394
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 169
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
38. Commerce Township, MI
- Population: 38,718
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 169
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
39. Milton, GA
- Population: 41,259
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 167
- Major City Nearby: Atlanta
40. Melrose, MA
- Population: 29,312
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 164
- Major City Nearby: Boston
41. Ballwin, MO
- Population: 30,870
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 162
- Major City Nearby: St. Louis
42. North Kingstown, RI
- Population: 27,911
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 162
- Major City Nearby: Providence
43. Beverly, MA
- Population: 42,446
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 161
- Major City Nearby: Boston
44. Rochester Hills, MI
- Population: 76,028
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 160
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
45. Keller, TX
- Population: 45,397
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 158
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
46. Shrewsbury, MA
- Population: 38,999
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 156
- Major City Nearby: Worcester
47. Dracut, MA
- Population: 32,159
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 155
- Major City Nearby: Boston
48. Prosper, TX
- Population: 34,136
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 155
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
49. Newton, MA
- Population: 87,453
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 152
- Major City Nearby: Boston
50. Friendswood, TX
- Population: 41,004
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 152
- Major City Nearby: Houston
51. McHenry, IL
- Population: 27,372
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 152
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
52. Fort Mill, SC
- Population: 27,991
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 151
- Major City Nearby: Charlotte
53. Wallingford, CT
- Population: 44,194
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 146
- Major City Nearby: New Haven
54. Caledonia, WI
- Population: 25,229
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 144
- Major City Nearby: Racine
55. Belmont, MA
- Population: 26,838
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 144
- Major City Nearby: Boston
56. De Pere, WI
- Population: 25,335
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 143
- Major City Nearby: Green Bay
57. Flower Mound, TX
- Population: 77,243
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 142
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
58. Easton, MA
- Population: 25,247
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 141
- Major City Nearby: Providence
59. Highland Park, IL
- Population: 30,177
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 141
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
60. Carmel, IN
- Population: 100,777
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 138
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
61. Sachse, TX
- Population: 29,042
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 138
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
62. Algonquin, IL
- Population: 29,944
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 137
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
63. Hendersonville, TN
- Population: 62,257
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 137
- Major City Nearby: Nashville
64. San Luis, AZ
- Population: 37,333
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 136
- Major City Nearby: Yuma
65. Fishers, IN
- Population: 101,171
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 135
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
66. Perrysburg, OH
- Population: 25,114
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 135
- Major City Nearby: Toledo
67. Lake Stevens, WA
- Population: 36,288
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 134
- Major City Nearby: Seattle
68. Cheshire, CT
- Population: 28,628
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 134
- Major City Nearby: New Haven
69. Milford, MA
- Population: 30,277
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 132
- Major City Nearby: Worcester
70. Saratoga Springs, UT
- Population: 44,164
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 132
- Major City Nearby: Provo
71. Bella Vista, AR
- Population: 30,808
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 132
- Major City Nearby: Fayetteville
72. Princeton, NJ
- Population: 30,872
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 131
- Major City Nearby: Trenton
73. Bluffton, SC
- Population: 32,191
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 130
- Major City Nearby: Bluffton
74. Novi, MI
- Population: 66,560
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 130
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
75. Chelmsford, MA
- Population: 35,933
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 130
- Major City Nearby: Boston
76. Amherst, MA
- Population: 39,378
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 129
- Major City Nearby: Springfield
77. Rosemount, MN
- Population: 26,642
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 129
- Major City Nearby: Minneapolis
78. Gloucester, MA
- Population: 29,952
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 129
- Major City Nearby: Boston
79. Syracuse, UT
- Population: 33,331
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 127
- Major City Nearby: Ogden
80. Waukee, IA
- Population: 26,495
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 126
- Major City Nearby: Des Moines
81. Mequon, WI
- Population: 25,200
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 126
- Major City Nearby: Milwaukee
82. Westfield, IN
- Population: 50,630
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 126
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
83. Spring Hill, TN
- Population: 53,339
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 126
- Major City Nearby: Nashville
84. Upper Arlington, OH
- Population: 36,295
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 126
- Major City Nearby: Columbus
85. Rahway, NJ
- Population: 29,911
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 125
- Major City Nearby: New York
86. Montclair, NJ
- Population: 40,935
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 125
- Major City Nearby: New York
87. Greenwich, CT
- Population: 63,514
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 125
- Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
88. Hutto, TX
- Population: 30,855
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 124
- Major City Nearby: Austin
89. Vestavia Hills, AL
- Population: 38,801
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
- Major City Nearby: Birmingham
90. Brownsburg, IN
- Population: 30,068
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
91. Wilmette, IL
- Population: 27,587
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
92. New Milford, CT
- Population: 28,182
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 122
- Major City Nearby: N/A
93. Hilliard, OH
- Population: 36,892
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 120
- Major City Nearby: Columbus
94. Royal Oak, MI
- Population: 57,953
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 120
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
95. Derry, NH
- Population: 34,354
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 121
- Major City Nearby: Boston
96. Dublin, OH
- Population: 49,085
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 120
- Major City Nearby: Columbus
97. West Warwick, RI
- Population: 31,188
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 116
- Major City Nearby: Providence
98. Watertown, MA
- Population: 35,149
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 116
- Major City Nearby: Boston
99. Walpole, MA
- Population: 26,652
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
- Major City Nearby: Boston
100. Kaysville, UT
- Population: 32,976
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
- Major City Nearby: Ogden
- See 2022’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2021’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2020’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2019’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2018’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2017’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2016’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2015’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2014’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2013’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2012’s top 100 Safest Cities