These 12 US Cities Are So Safe They Will Make You Want To Move There

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Overall safety is one of the most important things to consider when planning a vacation or relocating to a new city, state, or country. Luckily, the United States is generally a safe place to live and travel, and crime rates across the nation have fallen in recent years. Therefore, enjoying America’s finest cities without worrying about crime rates and natural disasters is possible.

However, some are safer than others, so it’s important to recognize the differences and avoid the least safe cities in the United States. To learn more, we’ve compiled a list of the 12 safest cities in the US. We selected these based on low crime rates, low murder rates, and lower risks of natural disasters.

Boise, Idaho

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According to US News & World Report, the violent and property crime rates in Boise, Idaho, fall below the national average, making it much safer than other small cities in the US. Better yet, Idaho’s capital is unlikely to be affected by natural disasters like hurricanes, severe storms, and tornados.

Boise is only home to approximately 236,000 people, so murder rates are pretty low, too. In recent years, the murder rate has dropped down to as low as 0.44 per 100,000 residents. When it comes to visiting Boise, there’s a lot to like. This small city is home to a wide range of attractions and is surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape.

Nashua, New Hampshire

Nashua, New Hampshire, is a beautiful city famed for its scenery, history, and low crime rates. A recent report from NeighborhoodScout found that Nashua has a crime rate of 12.24 per 1,000 residents. That makes it safer than 40% of American cities. Furthermore, Nashua has the second-fewest assaults per capita in the US.

Conveniently, it also has a great quality of life rating (7.1 out of 10). You’ll find Nashua alongside the Nashua and Merrimack Rivers. During a visit, you can enjoy a scenic walk around Mine Falls Park, shop until your heart’s content in Pheasant Lane Mall, and watch baseball at Holman Stadium.

Thousand Oaks, California

With a population of approximately 125,000, Thousand Oaks is the second-largest city in California’s Ventura County. Located in Greater Los Angeles, it is best known for its breathtaking parks, shopping centers, and mild climate. Popular things to do include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and shopping.

A Money Geek study found that Thousand Oaks is the safest city in the United States in terms of crime cost. Thousand Oaks’ crime cost is $241 per capita. For context, Birmingham, Alabama, one of the most dangerous cities in the US, has a crime cost per capita of $11,392. Thousands Oaks also has a low violent and property crime rate, with a score of 12.00, which falls below the national average.

Henderson, Nevada

The same Money Geek report also examined the safest large cities in the United States. Henderson, with a population of approximately 330,000, was revealed to be one of the safest. Henderson has a crime cost per capita of just $673 and a violent crime rate of 3.02 per thousand residents.

Henderson’s location south of Las Vegas also makes it less prone to natural disasters. It only has a minor risk of flooding in the next 30 years, which can’t be said for other cities across the United States. In Henderson, you’ll likely spend most of your time lounging by a pool, hiking in the mountains, boating on Lake Mead, or visiting Las Vegas.

Port St. Lucie, Florida

Home to the New York Mets spring training facility, Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, the Riverwalk Boardwalk, and Spruce Bluff Preserve, Port St. Lucie is a welcoming place with many things to do. However, the area is arguably best known for its family-friendly community and impressive wildlife.

In this Florida city, you can spot native plants, hummingbirds, butterflies, manatees, river otters, and alligators. Regarding safety, Port St. Lucie has a violent crime rate of 1.15 and a property crime rate of 7.52 per 1,000 residents. That makes it safer than 54% of American cities. According to NeighborhoodScout, your chances of falling victim to crime in Port St. Lucie is 1 in 115.

Franklin, Massachusetts

Franklin, Massachusetts, is next on our list of the safest cities in the United States. Home to the first public library in the US, it is known for its rich history, business environment, and modern infrastructure. It’s also regarded as one of America’s safest cities.

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Franklin is safer than almost 70% of cities across the United States. Its crime rate is just 5.97 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime rates are extremely low. It does have a significant wind factor to consider, but severe hurricanes aren’t common. Meanwhile, it has a murder rate of 0.06, which is one of the best in the United States.

Read: Top American Road Trips

Olathe, Kansas

With a population of 141,000, Olathe is Kansas’s fourth-most populous city. Despite its rich history, which dates back to the westward expansion of the United States in the 19th century, Olathe is arguably best known for the Kansas State School for the Deaf. Other points of interest include Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop-Farm, and the Kansas City Automotive Museum.

Olathe has a crime rate of 14.32. Violent crimes and property crimes are low, as is the murder rate (1.4). Your chances of falling victim to a crime is 1 in 220. The average across America for other communities of this size is 1 in 34, so Olathe is very safe.

Irvine, California

Another Californian city on our list is Irvine. Irvine is a lively city loved for its university and open spaces. Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks is a 50,000-acre (20,200-hectare) wildlife and recreation area around, popular with locals and tourists. Other notable attractions include Irvine Spectrum Center, William R Mason Regional Park, and Tanaka Farms.

Regarding safety, World Population Review reports that Irvine has the lowest murder rate in the US. Astonishingly, Irvine has a murder rate of 0.00 per 100,000 people. The city also has low violent crime and property crime rates. The only downside is that it is at risk of wildfires. According to Climate Check, 60% of buildings in Irvine are at risk of wildfire.

Naperville, Illinois

Naperville is a city in Illinois with a population of almost 150,000. Located in DuPage County, it offers a family-friendly atmosphere, a wide range of things to do, and an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and parks. Popular attractions in or around include Millennium Carillon, Riverwalk Park, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, and Naper Settlement.

Like Irvine, Naperville has low murder, violent, and property crime rates. The murder rate is 0.02 per 100,000 people, while the overall crime rate in relation to violent and property crime is 8.69 per 1,000 people. This means Naperville is safer than 54% of American cities.

Bellevue, Washington

A report from Niche revealed that Bellevue, Washington, is one of the safest cities in the United States. Violent crime and property crime rates fall below the national average, and the murder rate is 1.4 per 100,000 residents. Better still, natural disasters in or around are unlikely.

Bellevue is famous for its busy business districts, magnificent architecture, and beautiful surroundings. Tourists can shop in Bellevue Square, take in the skyline views at Bellevue Downtown Park, explore Bellevue Botanical Garden, and enjoy the water at Meydenbauer Bay Park. What’s not to like?

Provo, Utah

Provo is a charming city with a vibrant University scene and impressive mountains. It’s loved by history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts, offering several museums and an array of exciting hiking trails. The Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, the BYU Museum of Art, and the BYU Museum of Paleontology are among the museums you should visit. Meanwhile, the hiking trails at Provo Canyon offer the most scenic views.

Regarding safety, Provo’s violent crime rates and property crime rates fall below the national average. It also has a murder rate of 1.7 per 100,000 people. However, it has a moderate risk of flooding, so natural disasters can’t be ruled out.

Brownsville, Texas

Brownsville is a reliable destination if you’re determined to avoid natural disasters in the United States. According to a WalletHub study, Brownsville has the country’s second-lowest natural disaster risk level. Taking the 17th spot on WalletHub’s list of America’s safest cities, Brownsville also has a relatively low crime rate.

At 23.19, the violent crime and property crime rate in the city fall below the national average. With a murder rate of 2.1 per 100,000 people, the murder rate per capita in Brownsville also falls below the national average. As a result, Brownsville is a nice place to visit. Much-loved attractions include Gladys Porter Zoo, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, and Sabal Palm Sanctuary.