America’s Safest Cities That Make A Great Place To Call Home
Safety is an important consideration for any home buyer. The sense of security greatly influences one's choice of residence, and safety ratings hold significant sway over local housing market trends.
If you're currently in the market for a home, and eager to find the perfect haven, look no further than this comprehensive compilation of the 50 safest cities in America, carefully curated by NeighborhoodScout.
Without further ado, let's embark on a countdown journey through the 50 safest American cities to live in. Comment and let us know if you have lived in any of these cities!
50. Moorpark, California
Moorpark, located in Ventura County, Southern California, is positioned 50 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Its incorporation took place in 1983, and it was named after the Moorpark apricot, which thrived in the valley. With its nine schools and the county's lowest serious crime rate, Moorpark is an ideal location for families.
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49. Belmont, Massachusetts
Belmont, located in the western suburbs of Boston, boasts top-rated schools and a plethora of dining options, coffee shops, and parks. It comes as no surprise that numerous families opt to make Belmont their home.
48. Friendswood, Texas
Originally established as a Quaker settlement in 1895, Friendswood gained recognition for its cultivation and preservation of Magnolia figs. Over the years, it has evolved into a peaceful residential area just half an hour from Houston and Galveston.
47. Syracuse, Utah
Situated on the Great Salt Lake shores, this farming community is transitioning swiftly into a suburban extension of Salt Lake City. The area provides convenient proximity to Antelope Island State Park, which serves as a habitat for bison, pronghorn antelope, and various desert animals.
46. Plainfield, Illinois
Located on the outskirts of the Chicago metro area, this village has dedicated significant resources to create a lively downtown that prioritizes pedestrian accessibility. This initiative aims to provide residents with convenient access to a variety of amenities, including restaurants, shopping options, and entertainment venues.
45. Wallingford, Connecticut
Wallingford, one of the three Connecticut towns on the safest cities list, was established in 1667 along the Quinnipiac River. Over the years, it has flourished into a vibrant community with a population of over 40,000. The city takes pride in its symphony orchestra, which showcases its talent at the Paul Mellon Arts Center all year round.
44. Westport, Connecticut
Located on Long Island Sound, this small city provides easy access to beaches, Sherwood Island State Park, and a charming and quaint downtown area situated on the Saugatuck River.
43. Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rancho Santa Margarita, nestled in Orange County, provides a peaceful escape from the bustling urban areas that dominate Southern California. This city has been carefully designed to harmonize the conveniences of a small town with its surrounding natural beauty.
42. North Andover, Massachusetts
Massachusetts is well-represented on the list of safest cities, accounting for almost 30% of the listed towns. North Andover is one of America's safest cities and is conveniently located near Boston.
41. Rochester Hills, Michigan
Located in a Detroit suburb, this area boasts the expansive Avon Nature Study Area spanning 102 acres along the Clinton River. Visitors can also explore the Rochester Hills Museum, which offers insights into pioneer farmers, Native American history, and the local ecology. Notably, this city is recognized as the safest in Michigan.
40. Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Bridgewater is located south of Boston, northwest of Cape Cod, and east of Providence, Rhode Island.
39. Mason, Ohio
Mason, located in Warren County, holds the title of being the largest city in the county. Warren County itself is famously referred to as "Ohio's Largest Playground" and is home to various regional attractions such as the Golf Center, the Great Wolf Lodge, and the renowned Kings Island amusement park.
38. Harrison, New York
Harrison, a city in Westchester County, is located close to the Connecticut border and is in close proximity to New York City. Within the city lies the affluent neighborhood of Purchase, known for being one of America's wealthiest ZIP codes.
37. Rosemount, Minnesota
Rosemount, the sole Minnesota city on the list, provides its residents with the opportunity to access the resources and culture of the Twin Cities, all while residing in one of the safest towns in America.
36. Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is located just beyond the Boston border and is an affluent suburban area. Homeownership is prevalent, accounting for 72% of the population. Notably, Newton holds the distinction of being the most populous city to rank among the top 50.
35. Wellesley, Massachusetts
Located west of Newton, Wellesley is a smaller municipality with a higher median household income of over $197,000 and an impressive homeownership rate of over 80%.
34. Sammamish, Washington
Situated on the eastern shores of Lake Sammamish, this town provides a spacious suburban atmosphere accompanied by top-notch public schools and convenient access to various amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
33. Colleyville, Texas
Colleyville, located between Dallas and Fort Worth, provides a countryside atmosphere while still being near urban conveniences.
32. Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway, one of the five New Jersey cities on the top 50 list, is situated to the west of Staten Island. The median income for households in Rahway is approximately $79,000, reflecting a modest figure.
31. Beverly, Massachusetts
Beverly, a suburb located on the North Shore of Massachusetts, lies just north of Salem. Similar to its neighboring town known for its witch trials, Beverly boasts historic New England architecture and convenient water access.
30. Ridgewood, New Jersey
Ridgewood, a village located in Bergen County, is situated just northwest of New York City. This town is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, offering a variety of amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
29. Andover, Massachusetts
Andover, located approximately 23 miles north of Boston, was established as a town in 1646 and subsequently flourished as a prosperous mill town. Notably, it is also the residence of the esteemed college preparatory institution, Phillips Academy.
28. Brunswick, Ohio
Brunswick, the largest city in Medina County, is located approximately 25 miles southwest of Cleveland. The median household income in Brunswick is nearly $70,000, and approximately 76% of its residents are homeowners.
27. Simsbury, Connecticut
Mark Twain frequently walked the 10-mile distance from his residence in Hartford to Talcott Mountain in this renowned town known for its safety in Connecticut.
26. Weston, Florida
Weston, Florida has been rated as one of the safest cities in the US because of several factors. It is equipped with an excellent police force that is dedicated to ensuring public safety and security, aided by 24-hour patrolling and surveillance. The city is well-lit at night and provides extensive lighting that helps deter crime. It is also affluent, making it difficult for criminal activity to occur within the city. Weston is also centrally located in South Florida, making it easy to access from major cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale without much travel.
25. Caledonia, Wisconsin
Caledonia, Wisconsin, is a safe city for a variety of reasons. The city is known for its strict laws, low crime rate, and the active presence of law enforcement officials. The city also has a great sense of community, making its residents feel connected to one another and giving them the opportunity to look out for one another.
24. Dracut, Massachusetts
Dracut, a town with a rich history, was inhabited by Pennacook Indians prior to the arrival of Europeans in the 1650s. Its early economy thrived on manufacturing and milling. Situated conveniently, Dracut offers convenient access to both the Lowell and Boston metropolitan areas.
23. Palatine, Illinois
Palatine, a city located northwest of Chicago, offers a diverse blend of residential, commercial, and light industrial areas, along with highly acclaimed schools. Notably, Palatine is the largest city in Illinois to be included in this list.
22. Bartlett, Illinois
Bartlett, a town situated at the junction of the Chicago and Pacific railways, was formally established in 1891. Over the years, the population of Bartlett witnessed a significant increase, particularly from the 1950s onwards.
21. Westfield, New Jersey
Westfield, New Jersey is considered a safe city for many reasons. The city features plenty of security cameras, works with nearby towns to share safety tips, and has a community-driven Neighborhood Watch program to quickly respond to suspicious activities. The city also promotes education with its "Westfield Safe Walk" program, which offers neighborhood walk-throughs and emergency contact information for easy access in the event of an emergency. Finally, Westfield's low crime rates and consistently low unemployment rates contribute to its overall safety.
20. Independence, Kentucky
Independence, Kentucky, has a population of 28,521 and is the only town in the state to make the list. Crime rate in Independence is 4.8 per 1,000 residents, and one has a 1 in 205 chance of being a victim. The town is located just a short drive away from Cincinnati, the major nearby city.
19. Reading, Massachusetts
Reading, a Boston suburb located to the north of the city, is a town consisting of approximately 9,000 households. The median household income in this area is nearly $132,000.
18. Needham, Massachusetts
Needham, a prosperous suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, shares similarities with other cities in the state. The median household income in Needham is approximately $165,000, reflecting its affluent status.
17. Cliffside Park, New Jersey
Cliffside, situated atop the renowned New Jersey palisades, offers a breathtaking panorama of Manhattan. Positioned conveniently between the Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge, this city provides commuters with easy access to New York City.
16. North Royalton, Ohio
Located near the shores of Lake Erie, North Royalton is a city that was originally incorporated as a village in 1927 and later became a city in 1961.
15. Arlington, Massachusetts
Arlington, originally known as Menotomy, was established in 1635. It was later renamed in 1867 to pay tribute to the individuals interred at Arlington National Cemetery.
14. Billerica, Massachusetts
Billerica is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Boston, nestled between the Shawsheen and Concord rivers.
13. Florence, Arizona
Florence, located 60 miles from Phoenix, is slightly more distant from major metropolitan areas than other cities on this list.
12. Lake in the Hills, Illinois
Lake in the Hills, once a quiet countryside with only seasonal residents enjoying its lakes, has experienced rapid growth and transformed into a suburban area of Chicago over the past few decades.
11. Rexburg, Idaho
Located in eastern Idaho, Rexburg stands out from the other cities on this list due to its lack of proximity to a major metropolitan area. Instead, its main appeal lies in its close proximity to nature. Notably, Yellowstone National Park is a mere 80 miles away.
10. Marshfield, Massachusetts
Marshfield is located on the South Shore of Massachusetts, where Cape Cod intersects with the Massachusetts Bay.
9. North Ridgeville, Ohio
Cleveland Magazine has recognized this rapidly expanding suburb as one of the top choices for living in the Cleveland area.
8. Muskego, Wisconsin
This city is located near Milwaukee and is part of the greater Chicago area.
7. Bergenfield, New Jersey
The Dutch were the first settlers in the Borough of Bergenfield, located across the Hudson River from Yonkers. Following the postwar era, there was a significant increase in population, reaching its highest point in the 1970s.
6. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Shrewsbury, established in 1727, is located near the city of Worcester, just outside the Boston metropolitan area.
5. Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington, a suburb of Boston, is renowned for being the town where the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired. It is an affluent community with a median household income exceeding $186,000.
4. Zionsville, Indiana
Residents seeking a small-town ambiance within close proximity to Indianapolis are drawn to this area due to its exceptional schools and steady property values.
3. Milton, Massachusetts
Milton, a suburb located 10 miles south of Boston, boasts a median household income exceeding $133,000 annually.
2. Long Beach, New York
Located in Nassau County, east of New York City, Long Beach attracts numerous tourists during the summer season. This beachside community offers a serene environment.
1. Franklin, Massachusetts
Franklin, seemingly the safest city in America, is conveniently situated between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island. Franklin boasts a prosperous community. The town's name pays homage to Benjamin Franklin, who generously contributed books that established the nation's first public library.
