11 Safest Cities in the US
- Naperville, IL
- Cary, NC
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- McKinney, TX
- Gilbert, AZ
- Santa Clarita, CA
- Sunnyvale, CA
- Glendale, CA
- Boise, ID
- Plano, TX
- Yonkers, NY
1. Naperville, IL
The safest city in the US is Naperville. Located within the greater Chicago area, Naperville has a population of 149,540. It is a safe, well-maintained, family-friendly suburb that offers many entertainment options. Naperville hosts a thriving arts scene, being home to the Naperville Independent Film Festival and numerous other arts associations. Crime is almost a non-issue in Naperville as its crime rate is 205 per 100,000 people, or 90% below the national average. The main trade-off of living in Naperville is the home prices, which average around $510,477.
2. Cary, NC
Cary is one of the safest places to live in North Carolina and one of the safest cities in America. Located just southwest of Raleigh, Cary is an idyllic and quiet suburban city. With a growing population of 180,338, Cary's total crime rate is 1,035 per 100,000, which is 64% lower than the US average. Cary is often seen as a bedroom community, but much of the downtown has been revamped with many new restaurants and parks. Two of the most popular parks in Cary include Hemlocks Bluffs Nature Preserve and Fred G. Bond Park, which has hiking and boating access. The median home price in Cary is currently $593,705.
3. Thousand Oaks, CA
Another one of the safest cities in the USA is Thousand Oaks. The city has a population of 126,823 and a crime rate that is 58% lower than the US average. The violent crime rate in Thousand Oaks is also extremely low, with the likelihood of falling victim to a violent crime here only 1 in 1,649. Besides being one of the safest US cities, Thousand Oaks is also one of the safest places to live in California.
4. McKinney. TX
McKinney is a city in Collin County, Texas, that is known for its distinct small-town charm. It has a population of 195,308, and a crime rate is 57% lower than the national average, making it one of the safest cities in the US. Besides being a safe place to live, McKinney is known for being home to multiple Texan historic sites as well as for having a thriving arts scene. McKinney has plenty of parks and hiking locations as well. The current median home price in McKinney is $509,370.
5. Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert, Arizona, is also one of the safest cities in the USA. It is a green, well-maintained suburban community located in Maricopa County. With a population of 267,918, Gilbert has a total crime rate that is 49% lower than the national average. Gilbert offers lush green lawns, old-western history, and even lakefront views at the Val Vista Lakes community. Being the ideal place for families and retirees, Gilbert has a median home price of around $547,328.
6. Santa Clarita, CA
Santa Clarita is another one of the safest cities in America. Santa Clarita is located just outside of Los Angeles and has a population of 228,673. Located in the mountains of the Santa Clarita Valley, this city has a crime rate that is 46% lower than the national average. Santa Clarita has plenty of options when it comes to dining and hiking. It is also home to a Six Flags amusement park location. Santa Clarita offers residents a quiet retreat from the busy streets of Los Angeles while still being close to the city's major attractions. The median home price is $763,813.
7. Sunnyvale, CA
Located just outside San Francisco, Sunnyvale is a small and safe city with a lot going for it. Sunnyvale is home to many tech giants, major companies, and military installations. Despite this, Sunnyvale still maintains its quiet, small-town charm. Crime rates in Sunnyvale are 44% lower than the US average, and the few crimes that do occur are usually low-level theft, making Sunnyvale one of the safest cities in America. Of course, this comes at a cost, and the median home price in Sunnyvale is currently $1,833,813.
8. Glendale, CA
Glendale, with a population of 196,543, is another one of the safest cities in the US. It's also another city on this list located in Los Angeles County. Situated under the Verdugo Mountains, Glendale is a well-maintained suburb that is close to all of the major attractions in Los Angeles. Glendale is one of the safest cities in southern California, with a crime rate that is 34% lower than the California average. The median home price in Glendale is currently $593,705.
9. Boise
Boise is also one of the safest cities in the United States. Located under the snow-capped Rockies, Boise is a rapidly growing city with a relaxing atmosphere. Boise is home to some of the best breweries in the county and a growing number of entertainment and nightlife options. Nature is never far from downtown, with the Boise National Forest just a short drive away. With a population of 235,684, Boise has a crime rate that is 30% lower than the national average. Boise has a median home price of $477,792.
10. Plano, TX
Another one of the safest cities in America is Plano, Texas. Plano is a medium-sized city in Collin County that is full of activities and great for families. Whether it's shopping, ziplining, sampling some diverse cuisine, or downtown music festivals, Plano has all the entertainment bases covered. Plano's population is around 285,494, and it has a total crime rate that is 27% lower than the national average. The current median home price in Plano currently sits around $508,984.
11. Yonkers
Yonkers is also one of the safest cities in America. While the crime rate in Yonkers is only 24% below the national average, it's one of the safest cities of its size. Yonkers is located just north of Manhattan and has a population of 211,569. Yonkers benefits from being close to New York City and has a much more relaxed feel than a larger city. The city is home to many attractions, such as Tibbetts Brook Park, Hudson River Museum, Yonkers Raceway, and legalized gambling establishments. Yonkers is considered an up-and-coming neighborhood that is quickly being revitalized. The current median home price in Yonkers stands at $603,042.
Safest Cities in USA Methodology
To determine the safest cities in the USA, we analyzed crime rates and violent crime rates in 2021 and 2022. We used local and state crime data as well as information from the FBI's most recent violent crime reports. Additionally, we only considered cities with populations of at least 125,000 residents.