In recent years, stories about rising crime in America’s big cities have dominated the headlines. As some metro areas have seemed to become more dangerous, many people are looking for safer alternatives.
Recently, personal finance website WalletHub looked at a list of 182 U.S. cities and identified those that excel at providing various types of safety. Those cities included the 150 most populous in the nation as well as at least two of the most populated cities in each state.
The ratings were based on 41 key metrics that were applied to three types of safety:
- Home and community safety
- Natural-disaster risk
- Financial safety
Based on that analysis, here are the all-around safest cities in America.
10. Scottsdale, Arizona
Total score for safety: 83.63 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 17 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 53
- Financial safety: No. 28
In the northern part of the city of Scottsdale, you will find the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It has more than 60 miles of trails and is the largest urban wilderness area in the United States.
9. Burlington, Vermont
Total score for safety: 83.7 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 28 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 37
- Financial safety: No. 10
In July 1980, two blocks of downtown Burlington were permanently closed to traffic. Additional car-free blocks followed. Today, the carless Church Street Marketplace is considered one of Burlington’s jewels.
8. Yonkers, New York
Total score for safety: 83.76 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 4 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 39
- Financial safety: No. 122
If you visit Yonkers, check out Untermyer Gardens. The 43-acre attraction overlooks the Hudson River and features gardens with themes such as Walled Garden, Temple of Love and Rhododendron Walk.
7. Casper, Wyoming
Total score for safety: 83.92 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 27 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 20
- Financial safety: No. 11
Casper is known for its Old West feel, but it’s also a great spot for anglers. The fly fishing on the North Platte River earns raves from experts. You are most likely to land brown and rainbow trout here.
6. Portland, Maine
Total score for safety: 83.99 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 32 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 11
- Financial safety: No. 2
From lighthouses to the cobblestone streets of Old Port, Portland oozes New England charm. You will also find more than 700 acres of open space and public parks in Portland, which is the largest city in Maine.
5. Warwick, Rhode Island
Total score for safety: 84.03 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 9 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 22
- Financial safety: No. 68
Attention, shopaholics: Warwick is known as Rhode Island’s retail capital. You will find everything from antique shops to modern malls in the city.
4. Gilbert, Arizona
Total score for safety: 84.24 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 10 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 14
- Financial safety: No. 56
Gilbert once was known as the hay shipping capital of the world. But times have changed in this city southeast of Phoenix, which is now one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. The population — which was 5,717 in 1980 — is projected to grow to more than 330,000 by 2030.
3. South Burlington, Vermont
Total score for safety: 85.18 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 21 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 36
- Financial safety: No. 1
Neighbor to Burlington, Vermont, the city of South Burlington is known as a family-friendly place that also offers plenty of things to do for those who love golf, swimming, skating and other outdoor activities.
2. Columbia, Maryland
Total score for safety: 85.97 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 1 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 63
- Financial safety: No. 85
How nice is life in Columbia? In 2022, Money magazine ranked the city as the best place to live in Maryland, and No. 6 in the country. Among other things, Money cited the city’s “exceptional safety statistics.”
1. Nashua, New Hampshire
Total score for safety: 86 out of 100 points
Rank for:
- Home and community safety: No. 8 out of 182 cities
- Natural disaster risk: No. 27
- Financial safety: No. 8
Nashua is the second-largest city in New Hampshire. But with fewer than 100,000 residents, it remains vibrant without being overwhelming. And if you miss big-city life, Boston is 45 minutes away.
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