Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.
The safest cities in America are not remote, rural places. They are closer than you think. They may not be big, but often they are just minutes from the largest cities in the U.S.
One of America’s safest cities is just 3 miles from Manhattan, and 7 miles from Central Park, in the heart of New York City. That city is Fort Lee, New Jersey. Fully eleven of them are within the New York Metro area.
In many ways, these cities serve as neighborhoods within the large metro area.
Similarly, NeighborhoodScout’s research revealed nineteen of the safest cities are in the Boston metro area, and eight are in California, including Danville, which is a scant 22 minutes from Oakland, one of the nation’s most dangerous cities. This is a common pattern our researchers have noted: the safest and most dangerous parts of America’s great urban areas are often just a few miles apart.
Lake in the Hills, IL, the safest city in America for 2019, is a well-to-do community in the Chicago area, while Chicago itself is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. In his book The Big Sort, author Bill Bishop describes how America is sorting itself by income, education, and lifestyle into isolated communities. The pattern of crime and safety reflects this social sorting, not just by region but by city and neighborhood within the same commuting zone.
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 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 2017 and released in September 2018, this report reveals interesting patterns about safety from crime in America.
Click on any city in the list below to see a full crime report and neighborhood crime map.
For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America.
1. Lake in the Hills, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 3.0
- Number of Crimes: 87
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 333
2. Franklin, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 3.3
- Number of Crimes: 110
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 300
3. Shrewsbury, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 3.5
- Number of Crimes: 131
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 285
4. Bergenfield, NJ
- Total Crime Rate: 3.8
- Number of Crimes: 108
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 259
5. Pleasant Grove, UT
- Total Crime Rate: 4.1
- Number of Crimes: 160
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 243
6. Marshfield, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 4.5
- Number of Crimes: 117
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 221
7. North Ridgeville, OH
- Total Crime Rate: 4.7
- Number of Crimes: 157
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 213
8. Florence, AZ
- Total Crime Rate: 5.5
- Number of Crimes: 143
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 182
9. Bartlett, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 5.7
- Number of Crimes: 234
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 176
10. Buffalo Grove, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 5.7
- Number of Crimes: 235
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 175
11. Harrison, NY
- Total Crime Rate: 5.8
- Number of Crimes: 167
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 171
12. Ballwin, MO
- Total Crime Rate: 6.0
- Number of Crimes: 181
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 167
13. Colleyville, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 6.0
- Number of Crimes: 161
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 166
14. Cheshire, CT
- Total Crime Rate: 6.1
- Number of Crimes: 178
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 165
15. Brunswick, OH
- Total Crime Rate: 6.2
- Number of Crimes: 215
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 162
16. Hutto, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 6.3
- Number of Crimes: 160
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 159
17. Independence, KY
- Total Crime Rate: 6.3
- Number of Crimes: 175
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 158
18. Huntley, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 6.4
- Number of Crimes: 174
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 156
19. Reading, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 6.4
- Number of Crimes: 167
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 156
20. Little Elm, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 6.5
- Number of Crimes: 303
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 154
21. Long Beach, NY
- Total Crime Rate: 6.6
- Number of Crimes: 221
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 153
22. Needham, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 6.6
- Number of Crimes: 203
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 153
23. Billerica, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 6.6
- Number of Crimes: 289
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 152
24. Arlington, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 6.6
- Number of Crimes: 300
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 152
25. Rexburg, ID
- Total Crime Rate: 6.6
- Number of Crimes: 187
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 152
26. Keller, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 6.9
- Number of Crimes: 328
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 144
27. Ridgewood, NJ
- Total Crime Rate: 7.1
- Number of Crimes: 183
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 140
28. Newton, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.1
- Number of Crimes: 634
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 140
29. Rochester Hills, MI
- Total Crime Rate: 7.1
- Number of Crimes: 529
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 140
30. Hanover Park, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 7.3
- Number of Crimes: 277
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 137
31. Weston, FL
- Total Crime Rate: 7.3
- Number of Crimes: 519
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 137
32. Beverly, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.3
- Number of Crimes: 306
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 137
33. Wellesley, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.3
- Number of Crimes: 216
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 136
34. Merrimack, NH
- Total Crime Rate: 7.4
- Number of Crimes: 190
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 135
35. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.4
- Number of Crimes: 362
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 135
36. Plum, PA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.5
- Number of Crimes: 203
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 134
37. South Kingstown, RI
- Total Crime Rate: 7.5
- Number of Crimes: 231
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 133
38. Saratoga, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.5
- Number of Crimes: 232
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 133
39. North Andover, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.7
- Number of Crimes: 239
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 130
40. Carmel, IN
- Total Crime Rate: 7.7
- Number of Crimes: 712
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 129
41. Johns Creek, GA
- Total Crime Rate: 7.8
- Number of Crimes: 659
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 128
42. Greenwich, CT
- Total Crime Rate: 7.8
- Number of Crimes: 492
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 128
43. Park Ridge, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 7.9
- Number of Crimes: 297
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 126
44. Saratoga Springs, UT
- Total Crime Rate: 8.0
- Number of Crimes: 238
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 124
45. Cumberland, RI
- Total Crime Rate: 8.1
- Number of Crimes: 284
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
46. Cliffside Park, NJ
- Total Crime Rate: 8.2
- Number of Crimes: 205
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
47. Milton, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 8.3
- Number of Crimes: 230
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 120
48. Bella Vista, AR
- Total Crime Rate: 8.4
- Number of Crimes: 238
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 120
49. Mundelein, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 8.4
- Number of Crimes: 263
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 119
50. Belmont, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 8.5
- Number of Crimes: 224
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 118
51. Aliso Viejo, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 8.5
- Number of Crimes: 440
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 117
52. Melrose, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 8.5
- Number of Crimes: 242
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 117
53. New Berlin, WI
- Total Crime Rate: 8.6
- Number of Crimes: 341
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 117
54. Milton, GA
- Total Crime Rate: 8.6
- Number of Crimes: 336
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 116
55. Lockport, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 8.7
- Number of Crimes: 220
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 116
56. Fort Lee, NJ
- Total Crime Rate: 8.7
- Number of Crimes: 328
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 116
57. Westfield, NJ
- Total Crime Rate: 8.7
- Number of Crimes: 264
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
58. Plainfield, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 8.7
- Number of Crimes: 382
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
59. Wakefield, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 9.0
- Number of Crimes: 244
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 111
60. Palatine, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 9.0
- Number of Crimes: 620
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 111
61. Friendswood, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 9.0
- Number of Crimes: 360
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 111
62. Londonderry, NH
- Total Crime Rate: 9.3
- Number of Crimes: 243
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 108
63. Arlington Heights, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 9.3
- Number of Crimes: 704
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 107
64. Sayreville, NJ
- Total Crime Rate: 9.3
- Number of Crimes: 423
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 107
65. Wylie, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 9.4
- Number of Crimes: 470
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 106
66. Laguna Niguel, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 9.5
- Number of Crimes: 631
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 105
67. Caledonia, WI
- Total Crime Rate: 9.6
- Number of Crimes: 239
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 105
68. Gloucester, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 9.6
- Number of Crimes: 289
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 104
69. Flower Mound, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 9.6
- Number of Crimes: 738
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 104
70. Soledad, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 9.7
- Number of Crimes: 254
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103
71. Danville, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 9.7
- Number of Crimes: 435
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 103
72. Fishers, IN
- Total Crime Rate: 9.8
- Number of Crimes: 898
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 102
73. Wheeling, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 9.8
- Number of Crimes: 379
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 102
74. Wheaton, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 10.0
- Number of Crimes: 532
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 100
75. De Pere, WI
- Total Crime Rate: 10.0
- Number of Crimes: 250
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 100
76. Andover, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 10.0
- Number of Crimes: 359
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 100
77. St. Charles, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 10.0
- Number of Crimes: 328
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 100
78. Lakeville, MN
- Total Crime Rate: 10.0
- Number of Crimes: 642
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 99
79. Hoffman Estates, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 10.1
- Number of Crimes: 521
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 99
80. Kaysville, UT
- Total Crime Rate: 10.2
- Number of Crimes: 323
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 98
81. Madison, MS
- Total Crime Rate: 10.2
- Number of Crimes: 262
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 98
82. Carol Stream, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 10.2
- Number of Crimes: 409
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 98
83. Shelton, CT
- Total Crime Rate: 10.2
- Number of Crimes: 424
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 98
84. Brentwood, TN
- Total Crime Rate: 10.3
- Number of Crimes: 440
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 97
85. Bethel Park, PA
- Total Crime Rate: 10.3
- Number of Crimes: 335
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 97
86. Royal Oak, MI
- Total Crime Rate: 10.4
- Number of Crimes: 612
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 97
87. Bridgewater, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 10.4
- Number of Crimes: 286
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 96
88. Chaska, MN
- Total Crime Rate: 10.4
- Number of Crimes: 277
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 96
89. Westfield, IN
- Total Crime Rate: 10.5
- Number of Crimes: 413
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 96
90. North Providence, RI
- Total Crime Rate: 10.5
- Number of Crimes: 342
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 95
91. Watertown, MA
- Total Crime Rate: 10.5
- Number of Crimes: 377
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 95
92. Lake Forest, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 10.6
- Number of Crimes: 894
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 94
93. Spanish Fork, UT
- Total Crime Rate: 10.7
- Number of Crimes: 420
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 94
94. Moorpark, CA
- Total Crime Rate: 10.7
- Number of Crimes: 392
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 94
95. Winter Springs, FL
- Total Crime Rate: 10.7
- Number of Crimes: 393
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 93
96. Cibolo, TX
- Total Crime Rate: 10.7
- Number of Crimes: 314
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 93
97. Oswego, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 10.8
- Number of Crimes: 375
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 93
98. Westport, CT
- Total Crime Rate: 10.8
- Number of Crimes: 303
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 93
99. Windsor, CO
- Total Crime Rate: 10.8
- Number of Crimes: 274
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 92
100. Des Plaines, IL
- Total Crime Rate: 10.8
- Number of Crimes: 631
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 92
- See this year’s Top 100 Safest Cities
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- See 2016’s Top 100 Safest Cities
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- See 2014’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2013’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2012’s Top 100 Safest Cities