What are the safest cities in the US? with more than 430 mass shootings In the United States, almost 14,000 Americans lost armed violencenearly 29,000 motor vehicle deaths throughout the country and $24 billion dollars in climate disasters—All of this in 2024 alone—it’s no wonder safety is a priority for many Americans, whether they’re looking for a place to travel or a place to live.

To address these concerns, WalletHub has published a new report on the safest cities in the USas well as the safer stateswhich provides a data-driven look at where Americans are best protected from physical, financial and environmental threats.

“When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immediately go to things like the crime rate, the car accident death rate, or the risk of natural disasters,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a release. “But America’s safest cities go beyond protecting residents from bodily harm and property harm. They also work to ensure people’s financial security, ensuring lower rates of identity theft, unemployment and housing instability.”

To determine the rankings, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities and all 50 states across 52 security metrics. The analysis looked at factors such as violent crime rates, traffic safety, financial stability, vulnerability to natural disasters and more. Each city and state was rated on three key dimensions: home and community safety, natural disaster risk and financial security. Scores were weighted to reflect the relative importance of each factor. You can compare this list with previous rankings, such as this 2023 list of the safest cities in the US..

Safest cities in the US

Topping the list as America’s safest city is South Burlington, Vermont. Located along the shores of Lake Champlain, South Burlington is known for its picturesque landscapes, parks like Overlook and Red Rocks, and its proximity to Vermont’s Green Mountains. The city has a low crime rate and ranks ninth on the list for home and community safety. South Burlington also has the lowest pedestrian fatality rate in the country and the 13th lowest percentage of uninsured drivers. Financial security is also a strength: with a low national unemployment rate of 1.9%, South Burlington residents are at lower risk of financial hardship and benefit from one of the lowest rates of underwater mortgages and bankruptcies non-commercial per capita. And there is a low risk of natural disasters, from floods to wildfires. The neighboring city of Burlington, Vermont, also did well on the list, coming in at number four.

Second on the list is Casper, Wyoming, a city known for its open spaces and outdoor recreation. Casper scores highly for pedestrian and neighborhood safety. It has one of the lowest pedestrian fatality rates in the country. He also does well when it comes to crime. It is the second safest city to walk alone at night and the fourth safest to walk alone during the day, according to a recent Numbeo study, and has the 32nd lowest aggravated assault rate in the country. Casper’s low fraud risk (with the fewest identity theft complaints and the second-fewest fraud complaints per capita) adds to its high security rating.

Warwick, Rhode Island, rounds out the top three safest cities in the United States. The coastal city, not far from Providence, is known for its exceptionally low crime rates and proactive community safety efforts. Warwick has the fewest murders and aggravated assaults per capita, along with one of the lowest robbery rates. Residents also benefit from favorable conditions for financial security, with low levels of poverty and a strong employment rate.

While many cities have successfully cultivated safe environments, others face ongoing challenges, struggling with high crime rates and safety risks that impact physical and financial well-being. New Orleans comes in last on the list of safest cities, closely followed by another Louisiana city: Baton Rouge. Rounding out the five least safe cities are Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Detroit and Memphis.

The safest states in the US

In WalletHub’s state rankings, Vermont is named safest in the US for 2024. Nearly 77% of parents in Vermont report they feel safe in their communities. With a strong job market, Vermont’s 2.1% unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country, supported by the state’s overall economic stability, including the lowest percentage of underwater mortgages and the second-fewest number of identity theft complaints per capita. Vermont’s commitment to traffic safety is also noteworthy, with the seventh-fewest traffic deaths per 100 million miles driven.

New Hampshire ranks as the second safest state on WalletHub’s list, largely due to its low rates of violent and nonviolent crime. New Hampshire holds the record for the fewest mass shootings in the past two years, and also has the second-fewest murders per capita. Additionally, more than 78% of New Hampshire residents say they feel safe in their neighborhoods (the highest rate in the country). Financially, the state is also strong, with a low unemployment rate and the lowest poverty rate in the country.

Maine is the third safest state. Maine has low crime rates, with the second-fewest number of aggravated assaults and the third-fewest robberies per capita. It stands out in both financial stability and job security, with one of the lowest unemployment rates and the third best job growth rate in the United States. Additionally, Maine has the third lowest level of non-business bankruptcy filings per capita.

While some states excel at protecting their residents, others face challenges in several safety categories. Louisiana ranks as the least safe U.S. state by 2024, due in large part to its high crime rates, financial instability, and vulnerability to natural disasters. Louisiana is closely followed by Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and Florida, each of which experiences elevated risks in categories such as violent crime, financial insecurity and environmental threats.

Read on for lists of the safest cities in the US, as well as the safest states; You can also get more details in the original report.

Ranked: The 25 Safest Cities in the US

1. South Burlington, Vermont
2. Casper, Wyoming
3. Warwick, Rhode Island
4. Burlington (Vermont)
5. boise, idaho
6. Yonkers, New York
7. Cedar Rapids (Iowa)
8. Columbia, Maryland
9. portland, maine
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia
11. irvine, california
12. Fargo, North Dakota
13. Chesapeake, Virginia
14. Missoula, Montana
15. Nashua, New Hampshire
16. Juneau (Alaska)
17. Vancouver, Washington
18. Honolulu, Hawaii
19. Madison (Wisconsin)
20. Huntsville, Alabama
21. Laredo, Texas
22. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
23. Chula Vista, California
24. Fremont, California
25. Glendale, California

Ranked: Safest US States

1. Vermont
2. New Hampshire
3. Maine
4. Massachusetts
5. Utah
6. Hawaii
7. Connecticut
8. Minnesota
9. Rhode Island
10. Wyoming
11. Idaho
12. Indiana
13. Iowa
14. Arizona
15. Virginia
16. Maryland
17. New Jersey
18. Washington
19. Wisconsin
20. Delaware
21. Kentucky
22. Oregon
23. North Carolina
24. New York
25. Alaska
26. Michigan
27. North Dakota
28. Pennsylvania
29. South Dakota
30. W.V.
31. Illinois
32. Ohio
33. New Mexico
34. Nebraska
35. Kansas
36. Snowfall
37. California
38. Mountain
39. Missouri
40. Tennessee
41. South Carolina
42. Georgia
43. Colorado
44. Alabama
45. Oklahoma
46. Florida
47. Arkansas
48. Texas
49. Mississippi
50. Louisiana

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