Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.
Readers might think America’s safest cities are remote communities.
Yet all but one of the top 100 safest cities (Rexburg, Idaho) are in metropolitan America, often in some of America’s most populous metros. Many of the safest cities are suburban cities big enough to be included in the study, yet just miles from the center city. These places offer the best of both worlds: incredible safety from crime plus access to good jobs, good schools and lots of big city amenities.
NeighborhoodScout’s research revealed nineteen of the safest cities are in the Boston metro region, four of which are in the top 10. Seventeen are in Illinois including Naperville, which is a large suburb of Chicago.
Zionsville, IN is the safest city in America for 2020, a suburban town which prides itself on its village-styled downtown area that is paved entirely in brick and lined with small retail stores and restaurants. Zionsville is only 14 miles from downtown Indianapolis which is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S.
Our research reveals the 100 safest cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Data used for this research are the number of total crimes reported to have occurred in each city, and the population of each city.
Based on the latest national data available at the time of publication, representing calendar year 2018 and released in September 2019, this report reveals interesting patterns about safety from crime in America.
Click on any city in the list below to see a full crime report and neighborhood crime map.
For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America.
1. Zionsville, IN
- Population: 27,153
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 439
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
2. Ridgefield, CT
- Population: 25,008
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 385
- Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
3. Milton, MA
- Population: 27,616
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 368
- Major City Nearby: Boston
4. Bergenfield, NJ
- Population: 27,479
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 352
- Major City Nearby: New York
5. Shrewsbury, MA
- Population: 37,973
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 322
- Major City Nearby: Worcester
6. North Ridgeville, OH
- Population: 33,889
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 319
- Major City Nearby: Cleveland
7. Long Beach, NY
- Population: 33,534
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 305
- Major City Nearby: New York
8. Franklin, MA
- Population: 33,230
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 275
- Major City Nearby: Boston
9. Lexington, MA
- Population: 33,792
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 272
- Major City Nearby: Boston
10. Hutto, TX
- Population: 26,434
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 270
- Major City Nearby: Austin
11. Harrison, NY
- Population: 27,896
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 249
- Major City Nearby: New York
12. Naperville, IL
- Population: 148,304
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 223
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
13. Marshfield, MA
- Population: 25,905
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 221
- Major City Nearby: Boston
14. North Royalton, OH
- Population: 30,239
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 215
- Major City Nearby: Cleveland
15. Bartlett, IL
- Population: 40,931
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 210
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
16. Billerica, MA
- Population: 43,784
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 207
- Major City Nearby: Boston
17. Rexburg, ID
- Population: 28,687
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 205
- Major City Nearby: N/A
18. Andover, MA
- Population: 36,403
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 202
- Major City Nearby: Boston
19. Arlington, MA
- Population: 45,624
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 199
- Major City Nearby: Boston
20. Lake in the Hills, IL
- Population: 28,835
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 193
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
21. Needham, MA
- Population: 31,248
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 192
- Major City Nearby: Boston
22. Brunswick, OH
- Population: 34,897
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 179
- Major City Nearby: Cleveland
23. Melrose, MA
- Population: 28,193
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 172
- Major City Nearby: Boston
24. Windsor, CO
- Population: 28,967
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 172
- Major City Nearby: Greeley
25. Sammamish, WA
- Population: 65,733
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 171
- Major City Nearby: Seattle
26. Palatine, IL
- Population: 68,053
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 170
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
27. Colleyville, TX
- Population: 26,945
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 169
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
28. Merrimack, NH
- Population: 25,969
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 169
- Major City Nearby: Manchester
29. Reading, MA
- Population: 25,337
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 168
- Major City Nearby: Boston
30. Muskego, WI
- Population: 25,103
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 165
- Major City Nearby: Milwaukee
31. Florence, AZ
- Population: 26,419
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 163
- Major City Nearby: Phoenix
32. Weston, FL
- Population: 71,210
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 161
- Major City Nearby: Miami
33. Independence, KY
- Population: 28,109
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 158
- Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
34. Ridgewood, NJ
- Population: 25,272
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 157
- Major City Nearby: New York
35. Cliffside Park, NJ
- Population: 25,935
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 156
- Major City Nearby: New York
36. Greenwich, CT
- Population: 62,727
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 156
- Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
37. Hanover Park, IL
- Population: 37,747
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 155
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
38. Belmont, MA
- Population: 26,330
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 150
- Major City Nearby: Boston
39. Mundelein, IL
- Population: 31,234
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 146
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
40. Caledonia, WI
- Population: 25,074
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 146
- Major City Nearby: Racine
41. Rochester Hills, MI
- Population: 74,696
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 146
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
42. Buffalo Grove, IL
- Population: 40,853
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 145
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
43. Wellesley, MA
- Population: 29,673
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 140
- Major City Nearby: Boston
44. Little Elm, TX
- Population: 50,314
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 139
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
45. Johns Creek, GA
- Population: 84,310
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 137
- Major City Nearby: Atlanta
46. Keller, TX
- Population: 47,350
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 136
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
47. Soledad, CA
- Population: 26,013
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 136
- Major City Nearby: Salinas
48. Beverly, MA
- Population: 42,312
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 135
- Major City Nearby: Boston
49. Port Chester, NY
- Population: 29,282
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 134
- Major City Nearby: New York
50. Westfield, NJ
- Population: 29,881
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 133
- Major City Nearby: New York
51. Shelton, CT
- Population: 41,097
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 133
- Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
52. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
- Population: 48,325
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 132
- Major City Nearby: Los Angeles
53. South Kingstown, RI
- Population: 30,650
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 132
- Major City Nearby: Providence
54. Lockport, IL
- Population: 25,508
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 131
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
55. Hilliard, OH
- Population: 36,414
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 131
- Major City Nearby: Columbus
56. Highland Park, IL
- Population: 29,622
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 131
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
57. Fort Lee, NJ
- Population: 37,921
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 129
- Major City Nearby: New York
58. Sayreville, NJ
- Population: 44,556
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 128
- Major City Nearby: New York
59. Newton, MA
- Population: 88,904
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 127
- Major City Nearby: Boston
60. Holly Springs, NC
- Population: 36,749
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 125
- Major City Nearby: Raleigh
61. Mason, OH
- Population: 33,586
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 124
- Major City Nearby: Cincinnati
62. Wakefield, MA
- Population: 27,135
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
- Major City Nearby: Boston
63. Bridgewater, MA
- Population: 27,395
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
- Major City Nearby: Boston
64. Carmel, IN
- Population: 93,510
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 123
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
65. North Andover, MA
- Population: 31,296
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 122
- Major City Nearby: Boston
66. Plum, PA
- Population: 27,135
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 122
- Major City Nearby: Pittsburgh
67. Milton, GA
- Population: 39,217
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 122
- Major City Nearby: Atlanta
68. Saratoga Springs, UT
- Population: 31,393
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 122
- Major City Nearby: Provo
69. Moorpark, CA
- Population: 36,576
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 119
- Major City Nearby: Oxnard
70. Kaysville, UT
- Population: 32,095
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 119
- Major City Nearby: Ogden
71. Ballwin, MO
- Population: 30,188
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 119
- Major City Nearby: St. Louis
72. St. Charles, IL
- Population: 33,032
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 118
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
73. Syracuse, UT
- Population: 30,400
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 118
- Major City Nearby: Ogden
74. Cheshire, CT
- Population: 29,179
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 117
- Major City Nearby: New Haven
75. Bella Vista, AR
- Population: 28,661
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 117
- Major City Nearby: Fayetteville
76. Plainfield, IL
- Population: 44,138
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 116
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
77. Lakeville, MN
- Population: 65,877
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
- Major City Nearby: Minneapolis
78. Westport, CT
- Population: 28,115
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
- Major City Nearby: Bridgeport
79. Saratoga, CA
- Population: 30,599
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
- Major City Nearby: San Jose
80. Wylie, TX
- Population: 51,585
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 115
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
81. Watertown, MA
- Population: 35,954
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.7
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 114
- Major City Nearby: Boston
82. Danville, CA
- Population: 44,650
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 113
- Major City Nearby: San Francisco
83. Winter Springs, FL
- Population: 37,321
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.8
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 113
- Major City Nearby: Orlando
84. Londonderry, NH
- Population: 26,302
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 112
- Major City Nearby: Boston
85. Arlington Heights, IL
- Population: 75,249
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 112
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
86. Oswego, IL
- Population: 35,237
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 112
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
87. Dublin, OH
- Population: 48,647
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.0
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 110
- Major City Nearby: Columbus
88. Spanish Fork, UT
- Population: 39,961
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 110
- Major City Nearby: Provo
89. Flower Mound, TX
- Population: 77,329
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 109
- Major City Nearby: Dallas
90. Friendswood, TX
- Population: 40,181
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 109
- Major City Nearby: Houston
91. Wheeling, IL
- Population: 38,878
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 109
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
92. Fishers, IN
- Population: 93,362
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 108
- Major City Nearby: Indianapolis
93. Chaska, MN
- Population: 27,765
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 108
- Major City Nearby: Minneapolis
94. Royal Oak, MI
- Population: 59,461
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 108
- Major City Nearby: Detroit
95. Bethel Park, PA
- Population: 32,501
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.2
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 108
- Major City Nearby: Pittsburgh
96. Hoffman Estates, IL
- Population: 51,197
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 107
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
97. Bolingbrook, IL
- Population: 75,178
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 107
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
98. Cumberland, RI
- Population: 34,977
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.3
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 107
- Major City Nearby: Providence
99. Rahway, NJ
- Population: 29,880
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 106
- Major City Nearby: New York
100. Glen Ellyn, IL
- Population: 27,928
- Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.4
- Chance of being a victim: 1 in 106
- Major City Nearby: Chicago
- See this year’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2021’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2019’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2018’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2017’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2016’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2015’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2014’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2013’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2012’s Top 100 Safest Cities