12 Safest Cities in Florida
- Satellite Beach
- Marco Island
- Tavares
- Weston
- North Palm Beach
- Bay Harbor Islands
- Naples
- Cooper City
- Port Orange
- Parkland
- Cape Coral
- Port St. Lucie
1. Satellite Beach
The safest place to live in Florida is Satellite Beach. You’ll feel safe living in this quaint city on Florida’s space coast, which is home to just over 11,000 people. In 2022, there were only five violent crimes in Satellite Beach, making it the Florida city with the lowest crime rate. Property crime rates in Satellite Beach are also 76% lower than the statewide average.
Besides security, residents enjoy the town’s sandy beaches and beautiful ocean views, making Satellite Beach a wonderful place to live.
2. Marco Island
Marco Island is also one of the safest places to live in Florida. Violent crime is virtually non-existent in Marco Island, so you’ll feel safe and secure living in this white-sand paradise. But, of course, that comes at a cost, as the average home price on Marco Island is over $1 million.
Besides being one of the safest places in Florida, Marco Island has another unique element, over 100 miles of canals. That means that most homes in this canal community have direct waterfront access, so it’s a boater’s paradise.
3. Tavares
Tavares is another one of the safest cities in Florida. Situated in Lake County, Tavares is within the Orlando metro area and home to just over 19,000 residents. It’s a peaceful waterfront community surrounded by lakes with a median home price of $365,000. Tavares is also known for being very safe. The total crime rate is only 519 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 78% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 84% lower than the rest of the country, and the property crime rate is 459 per 100,000. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in Tavares are 1 in 193.
4. Weston
Weston is another one of the safest cities in Florida thanks to its extremely low violent crime rate, which is 79% below the national average. This calm and peaceful town is located right next to the Everglades, and it is popular with retirees who enjoy the tranquil vibe. Weston is so safe that the biggest danger is the alligators.
On top of living in a secure setting, Weston also offers residents plenty to do, with numerous parks and golf courses to enjoy. You can also easily explore the everglades.
5. North Palm Beach
If you’re looking for a safe beachfront paradise in Florida, North Palm Beach is the perfect place. This coastal paradise has extremely low crime rates that are 64% below the state average. But, of course, this comes at a cost, and living in North Palm Beach is expensive. The average home price in 2022 is $610,000.
From stunning ocean views to world-class sport fishing to sailing, there’s something for everyone in North Palm Beach. This beautiful town is a wonderful place to live if you love the ocean.
6. Bay Harbor Islands
Bay Harbor Islands also ranks among the safest places in Florida. Located off the coast of Miami overlooking Biscayne Bay, the town is home to about 6,000 residents. It’s a peaceful, wealthy community with a median home price of $660,000 and low crime rate compared to the rest of the country. The total crime rate is only 780 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 66% lower than the national average. Violent crime is 86% lower, while property crime is 63% lower than the rest of the US. Your chances of being the victim of a crime in the Bay Harbor Islands are 1 in 129.
7. Naples
Naples is another one of the safest cities in Florida. Naples is located on Florida’s gulf coast, and besides being extremely safe is also one of the best places to retire in Florida. The city’s excellent safety record and healthcare infrastructure have made it a top choice for seniors. The crime rate in Naples is 45% below the US average, while the violent crime rate is 74% below the national average.
Naples also offers residents plenty to do, with world-class shopping and dining, white-sand beaches, excellent golf courses, and plenty of other outdoor activities. Of course, this comes at a price, as Naples is expensive, with the average home in the city costing over $700,000.
8. Cooper City
Cooper City is a family-oriented community that puts safety first. As a result, this tranquil South Florida city boasts ever-declining crime rates well below the state and national averages. For many years, Cooper City has been ranked as one of the safest towns in Florida.
Besides safety, there are plenty of parks and outdoor activities for the kids to enjoy in Cooper City. The area has also expanded significantly in recent years, with many new shops and restaurants opening their doors to serve residents.
9. Port Orange
Port Orange is a safe waterfront city located just south of Daytona Beach. Port Orange is known for its gorgeous beaches and fantastic weather. It’s also one of the calmest and safest places to live in Florida. This inviting vibe has helped Port Orange attract many new residents in recent years.
Port Orange is also relatively affordable, with a median home price of only $412,000. So Port Orange is a great choice if you’re looking for safety on a budget.
10. Parkland
With a monicker like Parkland, it’s no surprise this Florida town is safe, peaceful, and teeming with parks. This quaint area is ideal for families as the kids will enjoy the numerous parks, sports fields, and athletics tracks. There’s also a wilderness preserve in Parkland; if that weren’t enough, the area also borders the Everglades.
Living in this safe and verdant area is expensive, though, as Parkland is one of the richest cities in Florida, and the average home price is over $1 million in 2024.
11. Cape Coral
Cape Coral is the safest large city in Florida. The city’s violent crime rate is 68% lower than the national average, which is impressive for a city with close to 200,000 inhabitants.
Besides safety, Cape Coral is a vibrant city that offers residents plenty to do. There are many lovely beaches, verdant parks, and recreational activities for residents to enjoy in the city.
Cape Coral is also affordable. In fact, it’s one of the cheapest places to live in Florida, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking for safety and are on a budget.
12. Port St. Lucie
Port St. Lucie is one of the best and safest places to live in Florida. The community is extremely safe and offers residents a great location in the heart of the state, between Orlando and Miami.
Port St. Lucie is on the Atlantic waterfront, so that residents can enjoy the gorgeous beaches and water activities. The town also has a calm vibe, which, combined with its safety, makes it very popular with families and retirees. This helps make the town feel more like a tight-knit, friendly community than a tourist destination, differentiating it from many of Florida’s coastal cities.
To learn more about what makes Port St. Lucie great, check out our article on the best Florida cities for families.
Safest Cities in Florida Methodology
To select the safest places to live in Florida, we analyzed overall crime rates and violent crime rates in cities and towns throughout the state in the years 2021, 2022, and 2023. The average crime rates in the Florida cities we selected are 73% below the national average and 67% below the state average. When it comes to violent crime rates, they are even lower, with many cities recording no murders at all in recent years.