The 5 safest cities in America

This list of the safest U.S. cities factors in natural disasters, assaults, auto fatalities, and more

PublishedOctober 15, 2024

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When deciding where to live in the U.S., many people take safety into consideration – not only for their families but for themselves.

WalletHub analyzed more than 180 cities in the U.S. to determine which are the safest for residents – based on criteria such as employment rates and the frequency of assaults, fraud, and natural disasters.

“The safest cities in America protect residents from these threats of bodily harm and property damage, but on top of that, they also help secure people’s financial safety,” said Chris Lupo, an analyst for WalletHub, in a report.

“Financial safety includes things like minimizing the risk of fraud and identity theft, keeping the population employed and insured, and combating homelessness,” Lupo said.

Here are five cities that stand out for their safety measures, according to WalletHub’s criteria.

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#5: Boise, Idaho

Boise, the largest city in Idaho, with an estimated population of 235,000, ranked fifth on the safest cities list.

Boise, ranked 26th for its community safety measures, 46th for its protection against natural disasters, and 19th for its financial protection for residents, according to WalletHub’s report.

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#4: Burlington, Vermont

Burlington, the largest city in Vermont, with an estimated population of 43,000, ranked fourth on the safest cities list.

Burlington ranked 38th for its community safety measures, sixth for its protection against natural disasters, and seventh for its financial protection for residents, according to WalletHub’s study.

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#3: Warwick, Rhode Island

Warwick, the second largest city in Rhode Island, with an estimated population of 83,000, ranked third on the safest cities list.

Warwick was ranked the third safest city because of its low murder rate. The city also has the second-lowest number of aggravated assaults per capita, WalletHub said.

The city has the seventh-lowest percentage of residents without health insurance and the sixth-lowest percentage who are living in poverty.

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#2: Casper, Wyoming

Casper, the second largest city in Wyoming, with an estimated population of 58,700, ranked second on the list.

Casper has one of the lowest pedestrian fatality rates and the 32nd-lowest aggravated assault rate, WalletHub said. Residents in Casper have a “low risk” for several types of natural disasters or severe weather.

It’s the second-safest city for walking alone at night and the fourth-safest for walking alone during the day, according to Numbeo. Casper also has the 42nd-lowest murder rate, according to WalletHub’s study.

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#1: South Burlington, Vermont

Coming in first is South Burlington, Vermont.

South Burlington claimed the first spot because of its safe roads, WalletHub said. The city has “one of the lowest pedestrian fatality rates in the country,” as well as the 13th-lowest percentage of uninsured motorists.

South Burlington also has the lowest unemployment rate in the country, which is at 1.9%, the second-lowest share of seriously underwater mortgages, and the third-fewest non-business bankruptcy filings per capita over the past year.