Safety is one of the first things people weigh when choosing where to live in the United States, and it means far more than a low crime rate. The safest cities protect residents from violent crime and theft, but also from natural disasters and financial threats like fraud and unemployment.
WalletHub’s 2026 study measures all three, comparing more than 180 US cities across 41 indicators. Below we rank the ten safest cities in the US for 2026, with each city’s safety score and what sets it apart, so you can see where security and quality of life line up.
Safest Cities in the US at a Glance
| Rank | City | State | Safety Score | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | Rhode Island | 71.21 | Coastal small-city safety |
| 2 | Overland Park | Kansas | 70.04 | Top schools and low crime |
| 3 | Burlington | Vermont | 68.79 | College-town quality of life |
| 4 | Juneau | Alaska | 68.74 | Remote, low-crime living |
| 5 | Yonkers | New York | 68.65 | NYC access with safety |
| 6 | Casper | Wyoming | 68.42 | Outdoors, no income tax |
| 7 | South Burlington | Vermont | 68.35 | Suburban calm |
| 8 | Columbia | Maryland | 68.02 | Planned-community living |
| 9 | Lewiston | Maine | 67.77 | Affordable New England safety |
| 10 | Salem | Oregon | 66.93 | Pacific Northwest capital |
The 10 Safest Cities in the US, Ranked
1. Warwick, Rhode Island: The Safest City in America
Safety Score: 71.21 | State: Rhode Island | Best For: Coastal small-city living
Warwick takes the top spot as the safest city in the US for 2026, with the third-lowest number of aggravated assaults and the seventh-lowest number of thefts per capita. This coastal city near Providence combines low crime with easy access to beaches and Narragansett Bay.
Its mid-size population keeps a community feel while still offering airport access, shopping, and jobs. For families and retirees who want New England charm with genuine security, Warwick sets the national standard.
2. Overland Park, Kansas: Safe Suburb With Elite Schools
Safety Score: 70.04 | State: Kansas | Best For: Families wanting schools and safety
Overland Park ranks as the second-safest city, and it is a longtime favorite among families in the Kansas City metro. It pairs very low crime with highly rated public schools and well-maintained parks and amenities.
The city delivers suburban comfort with strong job access to the wider Kansas City area. Its blend of safety, schools, and affordability makes it one of the most complete family picks in the Midwest.
3. Burlington, Vermont: College-Town Calm on the Lake
Safety Score: 68.79 | State: Vermont | Best For: Quality of life and low crime
Burlington, home to the University of Vermont and perched on Lake Champlain, ranks third for safety. The city is known for low crime, clean surroundings, and a vibrant, walkable downtown that punches above its size.
Vermont consistently posts some of the lowest crime rates in the country, and Burlington anchors that reputation. It suits residents who want outdoor access, a strong community, and a safe, human-scaled city.
4. Juneau, Alaska: Remote and Secure
Safety Score: 68.74 | State: Alaska | Best For: Nature lovers who value seclusion
Juneau, Alaska’s capital, ranks fourth thanks to its low population density and strong community safety. Surrounded by mountains and water and accessible mainly by air or sea, it offers a naturally insulated setting.
Government and tourism anchor a stable local economy, supporting the financial-safety side of the score. For those drawn to dramatic wilderness and a tight-knit community, Juneau is uniquely secure.
5. Yonkers, New York: Big-City Access, Strong Safety Scores
Safety Score: 68.65 | State: New York | Best For: NYC proximity without the risk
Yonkers is the surprise of the top five, a sizable city just north of New York City that scores well across community and financial safety. Residents get subway and rail access to Manhattan while living in a more residential setting.
Its waterfront revitalization has added parks, dining, and housing in recent years. For workers who need New York City access but want stronger safety metrics, Yonkers is a practical middle ground.
6. Casper, Wyoming: Outdoor Living With No Income Tax
Safety Score: 68.42 | State: Wyoming | Best For: Outdoor lifestyle and tax savings
Casper ranks sixth, pairing strong safety with a major financial perk, since Wyoming charges no state income tax. That combination boosts both the community and financial-safety portions of its score.
Set against the North Platte River and nearby mountains, Casper is a hub for fishing, hiking, and skiing. It appeals to residents who want wide-open space, low crime, and a lighter tax burden.
7. South Burlington, Vermont: Suburban Safety Beside the City
Safety Score: 68.35 | State: Vermont | Best For: Suburban calm with city access
South Burlington gives Vermont a second entry in the top ten, offering a quieter, suburban complement to neighboring Burlington. It shares the region’s very low crime while adding more residential space and shopping.
Families are drawn to its schools, parks, and proximity to Lake Champlain and the larger Burlington job market. It is an ideal fit for those who want the area’s safety with a calmer pace.
8. Columbia, Maryland: The Planned-Community Model
Safety Score: 68.02 | State: Maryland | Best For: Diverse, amenity-rich suburban life
Columbia, a master-planned community between Washington, DC and Baltimore, ranks eighth for safety. It was designed around interconnected villages, green space, and strong amenities, and it consistently rates highly for quality of life.
Its central location gives access to two major job markets and some of the highest household incomes in the country. Diverse, safe, and well-planned, Columbia is a blueprint for suburban living done right.
9. Lewiston, Maine: Affordable New England Security
Safety Score: 67.77 | State: Maine | Best For: Budget-friendly safe living
Lewiston rounds into the top ten as an affordable, safe option in southern Maine. It offers lower housing costs than much of New England while maintaining strong community-safety scores.
A revitalizing downtown and proximity to Portland add jobs and amenities. For residents who want New England safety without New England prices, Lewiston is a genuine value.
10. Salem, Oregon: Pacific Northwest Capital Living
Safety Score: 66.93 | State: Oregon | Best For: Mild climate and mid-size city life
Salem, Oregon’s capital, closes out the list with solid safety scores and a mild Pacific Northwest climate. As a mid-size city, it balances government-anchored stability with parks, wineries, and easy access to nature.
Portland is about an hour north, giving residents big-city options without big-city costs or crime. Salem suits those who want a temperate climate and a calmer capital-city lifestyle.
What Actually Makes a City Safe
WalletHub scores safety across three dimensions rather than crime alone. Home and community safety carries the most weight at 60 points, covering violent crime, traffic safety, and law enforcement presence.
Natural-disaster risk and financial safety each add 20 points, reflecting exposure to floods, wildfires, and hurricanes as well as employment, insurance, and fraud risk. That is why a city can rank highly on low crime yet still slip if it faces heavy disaster exposure or financial instability, as detailed in WalletHub’s safest cities study.
Balancing Safety With Cost and Lifestyle
The safest cities are not always the cheapest, and several sit in higher-cost regions like the Northeast. Buyers should weigh a strong safety score against home prices, taxes, and job access before committing to a move.
Some picks blend both, with Casper offering no income tax and Lewiston keeping costs low. Families comparing options can also review our guide to the cheapest states to live in to balance safety against affordability.
How We Ranked the Safest Cities
This ranking follows WalletHub’s 2026 methodology, which compared more than 180 US cities using 41 indicators grouped into home and community safety, natural-disaster risk, and financial safety. A higher composite score signals a safer city overall.
We present the official top ten with each city’s score and headline strength, then add cost and lifestyle context. Safety is multidimensional, so we note where a top-ranked city also delivers on affordability or job access, echoing the family-focused approach in our best states to raise a family guide.
How to Evaluate a City’s Safety Before You Move
Start by looking beyond a single crime statistic, since financial and disaster risks shape real security too. Check local violent and property crime trends, but also flood and wildfire maps and the strength of the local job market.
Then visit the specific neighborhoods you are considering, because safety varies block by block within any city. Pair the data with a firsthand look, the same way you would when comparing the best places to live in Texas or any other market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest city in the US in 2026?
Warwick, Rhode Island is the safest city in the US for 2026 according to WalletHub, earning a safety score of 71.21 with among the lowest rates of aggravated assault and theft per capita.
How is city safety measured?
WalletHub measures safety across three areas: home and community safety, natural-disaster risk, and financial safety, using 41 indicators. This captures crime, disaster exposure, and financial threats like fraud and unemployment.
Are the safest cities expensive to live in?
Many sit in higher-cost regions like the Northeast, but not all. Casper, Wyoming adds no state income tax, and Lewiston, Maine keeps housing costs low, showing that safety and affordability can overlap.
Which states appear most in the safest cities list?
Vermont stands out with two cities in the top ten, Burlington and South Burlington, reflecting the state’s consistently low crime rates and strong community safety.
Does safety mean just low crime?
No. Modern safety rankings also weigh natural-disaster risk and financial security, so a truly safe city protects residents from bodily harm, property loss, and financial threats alike.