Out of 163 countries, the US ranked as the 132nd safest, according to a Global Peace Index 2024 report. Iceland was deemed the safest at number 1 and Yemen was the least safe at 163.
When ranking countries, the index considers everything from weapons imports and exports to homicide rates. Like all countries, though, some regions of the US are safer than others.
For a more granular look, WalletHub, a personal finance site, released a 2024 report listing the safest cities in the US based on 41 factors in three key areas: home and community safety, risk of natural disaster, and financial stability.
The report ranked 182 cities across the country. Mass shootings, murders and assaults, hate crimes, earthquake and fire risks, and unemployment rates all factored into each city's weighted average.
Here are the safest cities in the US, according to WalletHub's rankings.
20. Huntsville, Alabama: Alabama was ranked second in money-related stress, sixth in health and safety-related stress, 15th in family-related stress, and 27th in work-related stress. It was also found to have the third-lowest average hours of sleep per night and the second-fewest psychologists per capita.
19. Madison, Wisconsin: Population of the metro area: 280,305Median household income: $70,484Climate Vulnerability Index: 6th percentile (lowest vulnerability)Madison is a college town and Wisconsin's capital. The 2024 Dangerous by Design report ranked it as the second-safest city for pedestrians.
18. Honolulu, Hawaii: Average spent on top 10 essential household bills: $3,091Difference from US average: +45%Average income: $95,409Difference from US average when adjusted for income: +14%
17. Vancouver, Washington: Population of the metro area: 196,442Median household income: $80,618Climate Vulnerability Index: 15th percentile (lowest vulnerability)In 2023, Vancouver's overall reported crimes dropped by over 9%, according to a report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. In terms of natural disasters, the city is most vulnerable to earthquakes, extreme heat, and wildfires.
16. Juneau, Alaska: Population of the metro area: 31,555Median household income: $100,513Climate Vulnerability Index: 0th percentile (lowest vulnerability)On average, Juneau had around 900 violent crimes and 1,200 property crimes each year between 2015 and 2023, according to FBI data. Heavy snow, extreme cold, and landslides are a few of the hazards the city's residents face.
15. Nashua, New Hampshire: Population of the metro area: 91,003Median household income: $97,667Climate Vulnerability Index: 10th percentile (lowest vulnerability)Located in New Hampshire - the safest state in the US, according to US News & World Report - Nashua has low crime and unemployment rates and ranked well for home and community safety and financial safety in WalletHub's 2024 list.
14. Missoula, Montana: Average rent in Q3: $2,235Rent growth in Q3: -7%Region: Rocky Mountain
13. Chesapeake, Virginia: Population of the metro area: 253,886Median household income: $92,633Climate Vulnerability Index: 40th percentile (average vulnerability)A recent report found that homes in this growing city have become slightly more affordable. Situated near the Elizabeth River, which flows into Chesapeake Bay, the city experiences flash flooding and hurricanes.
12. Fargo, North Dakota
11. Irvine, California: Population of the metro area: 314,621Median household income: $127,989Climate Vulnerability Index: 27th percentile (lower vulnerability)Home to several universities, Irvine is just a few miles from Disneyland. Its crime rates were among the lowest of all the cities on this list, based on FBI data. For most of this century, the city has had the lowest violent crime rate in the US for cities of 250,000 or more people.
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia: Population of metro area: 453,649Median household income: $91,141Climate Vulnerability Index: 18th percentile (lowest vulnerability)To protect against future hurricanes and rising sea levels, Virginia Beach voters approved a $568 million bond referendum to fund infrastructure projects focused on addressing these risks, PBS reported in 2021. US News and World Report named it the second-best place to retire in the US in 2024.
9. Portland, Maine: Share of EV-friendly listings: 0.8%Number of EVs per public charging port: 13
8. 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%Result of 2020 presidential election: Democrat
7. 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%Result of 2020 presidential election: Republican
6. Yonkers, New York: Population of the metro area: 207,657Median household income: $81,097; Climate Vulnerability Index: 24th percentile (lower vulnerability)Located on the Hudson River, the city of Yonkers has low crime rates compared to the national average, per FBI data. Its relatively low risk for natural disasters also contributed to the city landing at number six on the list. However, WalletHub ranked it 139th in financial safety, based on metrics including non-business bankruptcies and underwater mortgages.
5. Boise, Idaho: Population of the metro area: 235,684Median home price: $482,100Median monthly rent: $1,825Median household income: $81,425Known for: The secret is out after thousands of new residents fled to Boise over the last decade, making it America's fastest-growing city in 2018. Idaho's vibrant capital city combines urban amenities like microbreweries and cider houses with easy access to rivers, canyons, and mountains in nearby state parks.
4. Burlington, Vermont: Total score: 65.83
3. Warwick, Rhode Island: Population of the metro area: 82,999Median household income: $86,193Climate Vulnerability Index: 22nd percentile (lower vulnerability)Warwick is the state's third-largest city and has low rates of residents without health insurance, according to WalletHub.In fact, based on a number of factors, including access, cost, and health outcomes, the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund ranked the state of Rhode Island as having one of the top health systems in the country.
2. Casper, Wyoming: Population of the metro area: 58,720Median household income: $69,171Climate Vulnerability Index: 31st percentile (lower vulnerability)WalletHub cited Casper's low pedestrian fatality rates and comparatively lower risks for earthquakes and tornadoes among the reasons it landed number two on its list. However, the city has dealt with flash floods and nearby wildfires in the past, according to Wyoming Public Media.
1. South Burlington, Vermont: Population of the metro area: 21,043Median household income: $97,229Climate Vulnerability Index: 0th percentile (lowest vulnerability)South Burlington jumped from the US's third safest city in 2023 to the top spot in 2024. Most of the city's drivers are insured, and it has a low pedestrian fatality rate. It has good financial security, including a very low unemployment rate. Overall, the area has a relatively low risk of natural disasters, securing the highest safety ranking of the cities on the list.
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