Out of 163 countries, the United States was ranked 132nd in terms of safety in the Global Peace Index 2024. Iceland was the safest country at number 1, while Yemen was the least safe at number 163.
The rankings are based on things like the number of weapons traded, murder rates, and other crime statistics. Like many countries, some parts of the US are safer than others.
To give a closer view, WalletHub, a personal finance website, released a 2024 report showing the safest cities in the US. They looked at 41 different factors in three main areas: safety at home and in the community, chances of natural disasters, and how financially stable the area is.
The report looked at 182 cities across the country. It considered things like mass shootings, murders, hate crimes, earthquake and fire risks, and unemployment to come up with an overall safety score for each city.
Here are the safest cities in the US, according to WalletHub’s rankings.
- Huntsville, Alabama: Alabama was ranked second in the country for financial stress, sixth for stress related to health and safety, 15th for family stress, and 27th for work stress. The state also had the third-lowest average sleep time and the second-lowest number of psychologists per person.
- Madison, Wisconsin:
- Metro area population: 280,305
- Median household income: $70,484
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 6th percentile (very low risk)
Madison is a college town and also the capital of Wisconsin. According to the 2024 Dangerous by Design report, it was ranked the second-safest city in the U.S. for pedestrians.
- Honolulu, Hawaii:
- Average monthly cost for the 10 most important household bills: $3,091
- This is 45% higher than the U.S. average
- Average income: $95,409
- When adjusted for income, household expenses are still 14% higher than the national average
- Vancouver, Washington:
- Metro area population: 196,442
- Median household income: $80,618
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 15th percentile (low risk)
In 2023, reported crimes in Vancouver dropped by more than 9%, based on data from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. While the city is generally safe, its main natural disaster risks include earthquakes, extreme heat, and wildfires.
- Juneau, Alaska:
- Metro area population: 31,555
- Median household income: $100,513
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 0th percentile (very lowest risk)
Between 2015 and 2023, Juneau averaged about 900 violent crimes and 1,200 property crimes per year, based on FBI data. While it has low climate risk, residents still deal with natural hazards like heavy snowfall, extreme cold, and landslides.
- Nashua, New Hampshire:
- Metro area population: 91,003
- Median household income: $97,667
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 10th percentile (low risk)
Nashua is located in New Hampshire, which was named the safest state in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report. The city has low crime and unemployment rates and earned high marks for home, community, and financial safety in WalletHub’s 2024 rankings.
- Missoula, Montana:
- Average rent in Q3: $2,235
- Rent change in Q3: -7%
- Region: Rocky Mountain
Missoula saw a drop in rent prices during the third quarter, with a 7% decrease. It’s part of the Rocky Mountain region and is known for its scenic beauty and outdoor lifestyle.
- Chesapeake, Virginia:
- Metro area population: 253,886
- Median household income: $92,633
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 40th percentile (average risk)
Chesapeake is a growing city where homes have recently become a bit more affordable. Located near the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay, the area is prone to flash flooding and hurricanes.
- Fargo, North Dakota:
- Population: 133,188
- Median Household Income: $66,029
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 2nd percentile (very low risk) citeturn0news12
Fargo has experienced a decline in crime rates in 2023 and 2024, following an increase in 2022. The city is susceptible to natural disasters such as flooding, extreme heat, and wildfires. To mitigate these risks, Fargo has implemented infrastructure projects aimed at reducing the impact of catastrophic flooding. citeturn0news12
- Irvine, California:
- Metro area population: 314,621
- Median household income: $127,989
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 27th percentile (low risk)
Irvine is home to several universities and is located just a few miles from Disneyland. It has some of the lowest crime rates of any city on this list, according to FBI data. For most of this century, it has had the lowest violent crime rate among cities with a population of 250,000 or more.
- Virginia Beach, Virginia:
- Metro area population: 453,649
- Median household income: $91,141
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 18th percentile (low risk)
To prepare for future hurricanes and rising sea levels, Virginia Beach residents approved a $568 million plan in 2021 to fund projects that will improve the city’s infrastructure. U.S. News & World Report ranked it as the second-best place to retire in the U.S. in 2024.
- Portland, Maine:
- Share of EV-friendly listings: 0.8%
- Number of EVs per public charging port: 13
Portland has a relatively small percentage of electric vehicle-friendly listings, with 13 electric vehicles for every public charging port.
- Columbia, Maryland:
- Overall tax burden as a percentage of income: 11.53%
- Sales and excise tax as a percentage of income: 2.76%
- Property tax as a percentage of income: 2.72%
- Income tax as a percentage of income: 6.05%
- 2020 presidential election result: Democrat
In Columbia, taxes make up 11.53% of income, with sales and excise taxes, property taxes, and income taxes contributing to this total. The city also voted for the Democratic candidate in the 2020 presidential election.
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa:
- Overall tax burden as a percentage of income: 10.86%
- Sales and excise tax as a percentage of income: 5.21%
- Property tax as a percentage of income: 3.56%
- Income tax as a percentage of income: 2.09%
- 2020 presidential election result: Republican
In Cedar Rapids, taxes make up 10.86% of income, with the highest portion coming from sales and excise taxes. The city voted for the Republican candidate in the 2020 presidential election.
- Yonkers, New York:
- Metro area population: 207,657
- Median household income: $81,097
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 24th percentile (low risk)
Yonkers, located on the Hudson River, has lower crime rates than the national average, according to FBI data. The city also has a relatively low risk for natural disasters, which helped it rank sixth on the list. However, WalletHub ranked Yonkers 139th for financial safety, considering factors like bankruptcies and underwater mortgages.
- Boise, Idaho:
- Metro area population: 235,684
- Median home price: $482,100
- Median monthly rent: $1,825
- Median household income: $81,425
Boise, Idaho’s capital city, became the fastest-growing city in America in 2018 after many new residents moved there over the past decade. The city offers a mix of urban attractions like microbreweries and cider houses, along with easy access to rivers, canyons, and mountains in nearby state parks.
- Burlington, Vermont:
- Total score: 65.83
Burlington ranks highly with a total score of 65.83, reflecting its overall safety, livability, and other key factors that make it an attractive place to live.
- Warwick, Rhode Island:
- Metro area population: 82,999
- Median household income: $86,193
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 22nd percentile (low risk)
Warwick is the third-largest city in Rhode Island and has low rates of residents without health insurance, according to WalletHub. Rhode Island, in general, is ranked by the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund as having one of the top health systems in the U.S., based on factors like access, cost, and health outcomes.
- Casper, Wyoming:
- Metro area population: 58,720
- Median household income: $69,171
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 31st percentile (low risk)
Casper has low pedestrian fatality rates and is less likely to experience earthquakes and tornadoes, which contributed to its high ranking on WalletHub’s list. However, the city has faced flash floods and nearby wildfires in the past, according to Wyoming Public Media.
- South Burlington, Vermont:
- Metro area population: 21,043
- Median household income: $97,229
- Climate Vulnerability Index: 0th percentile (very low risk)
South Burlington moved up from being the third safest city in 2023 to the top spot in 2024. Most drivers in the city are insured, and it has a low pedestrian fatality rate. The city also enjoys strong financial security, with a very low unemployment rate. Overall, the area has a low risk of natural disasters, earning it the highest safety ranking among the cities on the list.