Moving to a new city can come with many complex feelings, but a lack of safety shouldn’t be one of them, especially for families with children. “Safety is a basic human right and a cornerstone of healthy development. Safety, as a concept, can include micro-level factors, such as food security, adequate housing, and a life free of interpersonal violence and abuse,” says Tracy L. Tamborra, professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven. Researching and evaluating cities based on safety should be at the top of your moving list, way ahead of finding a reputable moving company.
We analyzed data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crime Data Explorer to discover how crime rates, including violent and non-violent (property) crimes, have evolved over the last five years. In addition, we reviewed crime statistics from NeighborhoodScout to rank the safest cities and those with the highest crime rates based on cities with populations of 100,000 or more people, per the Census. We also consulted experts to find out how to evaluate neighborhood safety so you can feel more confident and secure in your new home.
Key Takeaways
- Despite an uptick in motor vehicle theft (up 12.6%), violent crime (down 3%) and property crime (down 2.4%) declined from 2022–2023, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer.
- NeighborhoodScout data shows that the crime rate per 1,000 U.S. residents was 22.92 in 2024.
- Meridian, Idaho, was the safest city in the U.S., with a crime rate of only 6.6 per 1000 residents, per NeighborhoodScout data.
- Four of the top 10 safest cities in the U.S.—Cape Coral, Palm Coast, Port St. Lucie, and Riverview—were located in Florida, according to NeighborhoodScout.
- Oakland, California, had the highest crime rate at 135.7 per 1,000 residents, almost six times the national average, per NeighborhoodScout.
National Crime Rate Trends
Except for motor vehicle theft rates, national crime rates trended downward year-over-year in 2023, according to data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer. Violent crime declined by 3%, and property crime fell by 2.4%. When broken down into specific offenses, national violent and property crime statistics show that homicide saw the most significant drop (11.6%), and motor vehicle theft saw the highest increase (12.6%).
In addition, violent and non-violent crime rates decreased from December 2019 through December 2023, per the FBI Crime Data Explorer. “Among the crimes that spiked during the pandemic years, virtually all of them have returned to pre-pandemic levels (which, it bears repeating, are historic lows),” says Jorge X. Camacho, clinical lecturer and policing, law, and policy director of the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School. However, despite declining by 3.2 percentage points during those five years, motor vehicle theft exhibits a steady uptick.
What Are the Top 10 Safest Cities in America?
In 2023, the U.S. cities listed below had lower violent and property crime rates than the national averages, which were 4% and 19%, respectively, according to NeighborhoodScout. Huntsville, Alabama, saw the greatest decline (50.9%) in overall crime rates from 2023–2024, while crime rates in Naperville, Illinois, increased by 7.1%. The national median for crimes committed per square mile was 26.5 in 2023.
10: Naperville, Illinois
With a 0.64% violent crime rate and 8.67% property crime rate in 2023, Naperville, Illinois, was safer than 47% of U.S. cities, per NeighborhoodScout. In addition, no murders were reported that year. The crime rate was 9.3 per 1,000 residents.
9. Cape Coral, Florida
In 2023, Cape Coral, Florida, averaged 18 crimes per square mile, according to NeighborhoodScout. This city had a 0.87% violent crime rate and an 8.18% property crime rate, with an overall crime rate of 9 per 1,000 residents. Crime declined 5.3% from 2023–2024.
8. Carmel, Indiana
NeighborhoodScout data shows no murders occurred in 2023 in Carmel, Indiana, which had a 0.59% violent crime rate and an 8.41% property crime rate. Assaults were the most reported violent crime (37 counts), and there were 733 counts of theft, excluding motor vehicle theft. Crime rates rose slightly in 2024, up 3.2% from 2023.
7. Huntsville, Alabama
Crime decreased by more than half from 2023–2024 in Huntsville, Alabama, where the city saw an average of nine crimes per square mile, according to NeighborhoodScout. Huntsville boasts an 8.8% overall crime rate, with a 1.32% violent crime rate and a 7.51% property crime rate. This Alabama city is safer than nearly half of U.S. cities.
6. San Tan Valley, Arizona
Violent crime in San Tan Valley (1.09%) was three percentage points lower than Arizona’s rate, per NeighborhoodScout. The city’s 7.44% property crime rate is less than half the national average (19%). San Tan Valley had an 8.5% crime rate in 2023, but crime decreased by 15.2% from 2023–2024.
5. Port St. Lucie, Florida
Port St. Lucie was safer than 51% of U.S. cities, according to NeighborhoodScout. Violent crime was 0.99 per 1,000 residents, and property crime was 7.5 per 1,000 residents. Crime rates in Port St. Lucie declined by 2.1% from 2023–2024.
4. Palm Coast, Florida
Similar to Huntsville, Alabama, Palm Coast, Florida, had an average of nine crimes per square mile, according to NeighborhoodScout. The city also had a 1.87% violent crime rate and a 6.37% property crime rate per 1,000 residents, with an overall crime rate of 8.2. Crime fell 7.7% from 2023–2024.
3. Riverview, Florida
Riverview had a 7.7% crime rate in 2023, with a 1.27% violent crime rate and a 6.49% property crime rate. This Floridian city is safer than 54% of cities in the U.S. However, the crime rate climbed by 3.1% from 2023–2024.
2. Fishers, Indiana
At 6.04%, property crime in Fishers, Indiana, was less than a third of the national average, according to NeighborhoodScout. Violent crime was 0.98%, and there were 20 crimes committed per square mile. Overall, crime in Fishers, Indiana, decreased 16.1% from 2023–2024.
1. Meridian, Idaho
This city in western Idaho was the safest in the nation, with a crime rate of only 6.6 per 1,000 residents, according to NeighborhoodScout. Meridian was safer than 60% of U.S. cities, with a 1.65% violent crime rate and a 4.97% property crime rate. Crime in Meridian declined 16% from 2023–2024, and Meridian’s 4.03% theft rate was less than a third of the national property crime rate of 13.47%.
What Cities Have the Highest Crime Rate?
Oakland, California’s crime rate—the highest in the nation—was 135.7 in 2023, nearly six times the national average, according to NeighborhoodScout. Among the following top five cities with the highest crime rates, crime rates in St. Louis, Missouri, and Tacoma, Washington, declined by 10.5% and 14.2%, respectively. Crime rates in the remaining three cities increased, most notably in Oakland, where rates increased by 68%.
5. Berkeley, California
Berkeley’s crime rate increased by 10.9% from 2023–2024. This city had a 7.44 violent crime rate and a 70.06 property crime rate, according to NeighborhoodScout crime data. The crime rate was 77.5 in 2023, with an average of 875 crimes committed per square mile.
4. St. Louis, Missouri
Property crime occurred at a rate of 63.62 per 1,000 residents in St. Louis, with 6,203 motor vehicle thefts reported in 2023, per NeighborhoodScout. The city recorded 158 murders and an assault rate of 10.52, which is nearly four times the national average. St. Louis’ crime rate was 78 in 2023.
3. Tacoma, Washington
In spite of a decrease in crime, Tacoma, Washington’s crime rate was 86 in 2023, according to NeighborhoodScout crime data. Violent crimes occurred at a rate of 12.42 per 1,000 residents, and property crimes at a rate of 73.53 per 1,000 residents. The motor vehicle theft crime rate—29.21 per 1,000 residents—is more than nine times the national average.
2. Memphis, Tennessee
Robbery rates in Memphis, Tennessee (4.5) were more than six times the national average, and motor vehicle theft rates (25.73) were eight times the national average, according to NeighborhoodScout. Memphis’ crime rate was 112.9 in 2023. From 2023–2024, this city’s crime rate increased by 15.6%.
1. Oakland, California
Crime in Oakland, California, surged, increasing 68% from 2023 to 2024. Robbery rates (8.85) were more than 13 times the national average, motor vehicle theft rates (38.54) were more than 12 times the national average, and murder rates (0.27) were more than four times the national average, per NeighborhoodScout. Crimes in Oakland occur at a rate of 1,055 per square mile, and the chances of becoming a victim of property crime are one in 10.
How To Check if Your Neighborhood Is Safe
Before relocating, exploring the various neighborhoods in a new city can help you determine where you feel safest. “Typically, areas that have strong local economies, higher levels of educational attainment, and strong community connections tend to have lower crime rates. But there are so many variables that impact crime rates that there are always exceptions to these rules,” says Camacho.
In addition to the FBI Crime Data Explorer and NeighborhoodScout, several other resources connect you to data that can help you find your perfect neighborhood. For example, CityProtect identifies the closest law enforcement agencies within an area and permits you to sign up for incident alerts. The National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) can also be helpful for families relocating to a new neighborhood.
NeighborhoodAlerts provides relevant community-specific information about local crimes, lost pets, building permits, and more to promote communication among neighbors. “Neighborhood social cohesion is correlated with lower crime rates and an increased sense of community satisfaction,” says Tamborra. Homeowners who know their neighbors personally are more likely to pay attention to any suspicious circumstances and even prevent a crime from occurring.
“When moving, people should think holistically about their needs,” says Tamborra. AreaVibes’ Livability Score evaluates cities based on key factors such as cost of living, health and safety, schools, and user ratings. As you gather more information about the area you’ll be living in, you’ll have a better idea of what issues may be of concern and how significantly they factor into your relocation decision.
“It takes all of us to protect ourselves and each other,” says Brian Williams, professor of public policy at the Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy at the University of Virginia. As multifaceted and complex as it may be, “neighborhood safety impacts one’s quality of life and the overall wellness and well-being of a community,” says Williams. “Great neighborhoods aren’t great by coincidence but by intent.”
Expert Insights and Tips
What factors make a state safer in terms of crime rates?
“Under this approach, policies are not based on gut feelings or unchecked emotion, but rather on strategies that have been statistically shown to actually reduce crime, like increased investment in social services, limited use of incarceration, and youth programming that helps stop crime before it happens.”
Have you noticed any new trends in crime or certain types of crime becoming more common?
“While a lot of factors can contribute to why theft stood as an outlier, it would be no surprise if economics play a strong role, especially [at] a time when high inflation has been coupled with wage stagnancy for most workers.”
What sociological factors should people consider when moving to a new area?
“There is a theory called social disorganization theory that states neighborhoods that have high rates of mobility (i.e., people moving in and out) are associated with higher levels of crime. The premise is that moving, especially frequently and if associated with lower socio-economic resources, can interfere with the ability to develop social networks and social cohesion.”