Whether you’re moving or buying a home for the first time , safety is likely one of your top priorities. We all want to feel safe and secure in our homes, so it can naturally sometimes be the deciding factor when choosing a neighborhood.

To help you consider some places to live, we’ve compiled this list of cities with low crime rates. If you value safety when choosing a place to live, please look at our top choices below.

What Factors Make The Safest Place To Live In The USA?

It’s important to remember that “safety” is a subjective term and that a city’s crime rate alone doesn’t always accurately reflect how safe it may be to live there. Many factors influence the type and frequency of crime in a city, and crime rates can vary significantly even from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Before we get into the list, let’s first see what the crime rates and other data look like for the entire United States. It may be helpful to consider these national averages when analyzing the rates in each city.

• Violent and property crime rates are per 100,000 residents.
• Population: Approximately 330,854,690
• Violent crime rate: 7
• Property crime rate: 2,109.9
• Median household income: $68,703
• Median home price: $428,700

Safest Cities In America

Below are the safest cities in the U.S., based on our research. Using our findings as a guide, you can determine what you believe is the safest city in America.

1. Glens Falls, New York

Two counties are included in the Glens Falls MSA: Warren and Washington.

The city of Glens Falls lies in the state of New York, north of Albany, near the Hudson River. Known for its thriving art scene and its proximity to the Adirondack Mountains, Glens Falls offers something for everyone. Glens Falls is an excellent choice for those looking to escape city life and live closer to nature. There are many reasonably priced homes here.

• Population: 124,339
• Violent crime rate: 1
• Property crime rate: 7
• Median household income: $50,071
• Median home price: $211,692

2. Midland, Michigan

The city of Midland is most famous for being the birthplace and world headquarters of Dow chemical company. There are many parks to enjoy– including the Dow Gardens, a 110-acre garden and conservatory. Midland is a great area to live in because it offers a peaceful atmosphere and a variety of things to do.

• Population: 82,943
• Violent crime rate: 3
• Property crime rate: 7
• Median household income: $62,625
• Median home price: $207,130

3. State College, Pennsylvania

Centre County is part of the State College MSA.

State College is a borough in Pennsylvania widely known for being the home of Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). Due to its university, this town has a very lively atmosphere, but if you're going to live there, you should be aware that it can be a little on the expensive side.

• Population: 163,681
• Violent crime rate: 2
• Property crime rate: 6
• Median household income: $34,005
• Median home price: $312,400

4. The Villages, Florida

Sumter County is part of The Villages MSA.

The Villages is a rapidly expanding metropolitan area in Florida inhabited mainly by retirees. It lies just southwest of the Ocala National Forest and northwest of Orlando. The area boasts a well-organized master-planned community with a wide range of activities to keep you busy all year round. The Villages is a peaceful retirement community with warm weather, many amenities, and low crime rates.

• Population: 132,914
• Violent crime rate: 3
• Property crime rate: 9
• Median household income: $63,841
• Median home price: $381,244

5. Logan, Utah

Franklin and Cache counties are part of the Logan MSA.

Located just south of the Idaho border, Logan is a city in northern Utah. Those who love the outdoors will absolutely adore the beautiful mountain views and the access to Logan Canyon, which boasts hiking trails, campgrounds, and even a ski area. Logan is also well known for its Utah State University.

• Population: 142,499
• Violent crime rate: 4
• Property crime rate: 4
• Median household income: $41,833
• Median home price: $349,793

6. Wausau, Wisconsin

Lincoln and Marathon counties are part of the Wausau MSA.

Wausau, Wisconsin lies on the Wisconsin River, which runs through the middle of the city and divides it into two parts. The city of Wausau is safe, affordable, and has a wide variety of things to do, especially for history lovers. It is home to numerous historical sites, including the Grand Theater, which stood originally as an opera house in 1899.

• Population: 162,956
• Violent crime rate: 9
• Property crime rate: 9
• Median household income: $46,824
• Median home price: $160,095

7. Cambridge, Massachusetts

The metropolitan divisions of Boston, Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, and Rockingham and Strafford counties are part of the Boston-Cambridge-Newton MSA.

The city of Cambridge is rich in history and knowledge. As one of the largest suburbs of Boston, Cambridge is a vibrant city full of life and culture - and of course, it is home to many influential universities. Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are both in Cambridge. Despite being a safe and relatively crime-free city, Cambridge can be extremely expensive.

• Population: 2,406,489
• Violent crime rate: 7
• Property crime rate: 3
• Median household income: $103,154
• Median home price: $1,170,290

8. Elizabethtown, Kentucky

Hardin, Larue, and Meade counties are part of the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox MSA.

Elizabethtown is best known for its proximity to Fort Knox, which has held much of the United States' gold reserves. A decently sized and relatively affordable city, Elizabethtown has the lowest violent crime rate of all of the cities on our list, making it one of the safest places to live.

• Population: 153,255
• Violent crime rate: 8
• Property crime rate: 1,134.1
• Median household income: $46,754
• Median home price: $224,658

9. Kingston, New York

Ulster County is part of the Kingston MSA.

New York's first capital was Kingston in 1777. Even though it was burned down by the British during the Revolutionary War, Kingston is still home to many old buildings and historical sites and is rich in colonial history. Kingston is a great city for families and singles who want to live in a safe and affordable environment.

• Population: 177,151
• Violent crime rate: 2
• Property crime rate: 1,090.6
• Median household income: $51,299
• Median home price: $292,631

10. Wenatchee, Washington

Chelan and Douglas counties are part of the Wenatchee MSA.

Wenatchee lies among the foothills of the Cascade mountain range. Full of lush nature, Wenatchee is the perfect place if you love hiking or just enjoy the outdoors. Sometimes called the “apple capital of the world,” Wenatchee is known for its many orchards.

• Population: 120,654
• Violent crime rate: 1
• Property crime rate: 1,143.8
• Median household income: $53,167
• Median home price: $395,317

Every year, local law enforcement agencies all over the country report crime data for their communities to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Reports include information on both violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder, etc.) and property crimes (burglaries, robberies). Together, they help paint a picture of how safe a particular neighborhood may — or may not — be.

SafeHome.org , a security research and advice site, found that of America's largest cities, Seattle had the most burglaries, and Memphis had the most larceny-theft reports in 2020.

Without a doubt, this type of information impacts the value of real estate in a particular community. Properties in safer areas are typically more expensive than properties in high-crime areas.

Which city has the highest crime rate?

Among America’s largest cities, with populations of over 500,000, on a per-capita basis, Detroit had the most incidents of murder and rape in 2020, based on a SafeHome.org analysis of 2020 FBI crime data. However, Seattle reported the most burglaries per capita, and Memphis, Tennessee led the country in larceny-theft incidents.

Which state has the highest crime rate?

New Mexico had the highest crime rate in the country in 2020. According to Statista  data, there were 3,620 crimes per 100,000 people.

Which state has the lowest crime rate?

New Hampshire had the lowest crime rate in 2020. According to Statista data, there were 1,245 crimes per 100,000 people.

What are property crimes?

Property crimes involve a person’s goods, possessions, and chattel — including any real and personal property — being stolen or destroyed. These sorts of crimes do not necessarily involve the use of force or threat against the crime victim. Examples of property crimes include burglary, theft, vandalism, and arson.

The Bottom Line

Safety is a complex equation, so be aware that many safe places to live aren’t on this list. The best way to gauge the safety of an area is to work with a trusted and knowledgeable real estate agent.

If you plan to relocate to a new city, maximize your chances of finding your dream house by starting early. Choose Mortgage Dove  to gain an edge in your target markets, regardless of what city you ultimately land in.