By Sarah Roebuck
Safety in the U.S. goes beyond just crime rates — it’s also about financial security, health and even protection from natural disasters. Whether it’s worrying about identity theft, health insurance or inflation, Americans have plenty to think about when choosing a safe place to live.
So, which cities offer peace of mind? WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities based on three key dimensions: home/community safety, financial stability and natural disaster risks. The data was then evaluated across 41 key indicators of safety.
Here are the top 10 safest cities:
- South Burlington, Vt.
- Casper, Wyo.
- Warwick, R.I.
- Burlington, Vt.
- Boise, Idaho
- Yonkers, N.Y.
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Columbia, Md.
- Portland, Maine
- Virginia Beach, Va.
Closer look at the top 3:
South Burlington, Vt.
South Burlington tops the list as the safest city in 2024, with some of the lowest pedestrian fatality rates and the ninth-most EMTs and paramedics per capita, according to WalletHub. The city also excels in financial safety, boasting the country’s lowest unemployment rate (1.9%) and low risks of underwater mortgages and bankruptcies. Natural disaster risks, like flooding and tornadoes, are also minimal, making it a well-rounded safe city.
Casper, Wyo.
Casper ranks second for safety with low crime rates and minimal natural disaster risks, WalletHub states. It’s also one of the safest cities for walking and has low identity theft and fraud complaints, along with a high percentage of insured drivers.
Warwick, R.I.
Warwick, the third-safest city, has very low crime rates, including the fewest thefts per capita, according to WalletHub. It also ranks well for financial safety and is at low risk for natural disasters like hail, wildfires and tornadoes.
