Safety in U.S. cities hinges on low violent and property crime alongside manageable natural risks, directly affecting where families choose to live and raise children. Data from FBI and insurance reports show wide gaps even among major metros. Compare the leaders and vote for the city you think belongs at the top.
What counts: Best means lowest violent/property crime rates, highest safety index, and lowest disaster risk. Figures are approximate round numbers from recent public reports.
Irvine, CA▲ Rising
Irvine built its reputation on master-planned safety features and low-density design that kept violent crime near 50 per 100k for years. The 2010s saw steady drops in property crime as the city added cameras and community policing. This track record places it first among large suburbs.
Violent Crime Rate: 52 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 980 per 100kSafety Index: 9.4/10Population: 280 kDisaster Risk: 5/10
added by IJR
Naperville, IL▲ Rising
Naperville maintained safety through downtown revitalization that added lighting and foot patrols without raising crime. Violent incidents stayed below 70 per 100k even during regional spikes. Residents credit proactive code enforcement for the edge.
Violent Crime Rate: 65 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,100 per 100kSafety Index: 9/10Population: 150 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Murrieta, CA▲ Rising
Murrieta rose in rankings after annexing land and extending sheriff coverage that dropped violent crime below 60 per 100k. Property crime stayed controlled despite regional trends. The city’s growth strategy paired new housing with added deputies.
Violent Crime Rate: 58 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,050 per 100kSafety Index: 8.9/10Population: 115 kDisaster Risk: 6/10
added by IJR
McKinney, TX▲ Rising
McKinney expanded its historic downtown with lighting and cameras that cut property crime after 2010. Violent incidents remained low at roughly 70 per 100k. The city’s preservation-plus-growth approach earned steady safety scores.
Violent Crime Rate: 72 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,150 per 100kSafety Index: 8.7/10Population: 200 kDisaster Risk: 3/10
added by IJR
Thousand Oaks, CA▲ Rising
Thousand Oaks kept violent crime under 70 through hillside development rules that limit density and improve visibility. Property crime declined after 2015 retail security upgrades. The city’s consistent placement reflects steady enforcement.
Violent Crime Rate: 70 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,200 per 100kSafety Index: 8.8/10Population: 125 kDisaster Risk: 6/10
added by IJR
Plano, TX▲ Rising
Plano cut violent crime by nearly half from 2005 to 2015 through targeted patrols and youth programs. Property crime also fell as the city grew its tech corridor with added surveillance. Its consistent top-five ranking reflects sustained investment.
Violent Crime Rate: 68 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,250 per 100kSafety Index: 9.1/10Population: 285 kDisaster Risk: 3/10
added by IJR
Allen, TX▲ Rising
Allen maintained low violent crime near 70 per 100k by expanding its police force alongside new housing. Property crime stayed moderate through community partnerships. The city’s ranking shows consistent suburban safety investment.
Violent Crime Rate: 70 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,200 per 100kSafety Index: 8.6/10Population: 105 kDisaster Risk: 3/10
added by IJR
Cary, NC▲ Rising
Cary maintained top-tier safety by embedding officers in new developments and using data-driven patrols. Violent crime hovered around 65 per 100k while property crime declined. The town’s tech corridor funding helped sustain the model.
Violent Crime Rate: 65 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 980 per 100kSafety Index: 8.9/10Population: 175 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert’s rapid population growth was matched by police hiring that held violent crime near 75 per 100k. Property crime stayed moderate thanks to neighborhood design standards. The city climbed lists by treating safety as infrastructure.
Violent Crime Rate: 75 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,350 per 100kSafety Index: 8.7/10Population: 270 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Boise, ID▲ Rising
Boise kept violent crime low by expanding community policing into growing foothills neighborhoods. Property crime stayed manageable despite population influx. The city’s western location and engaged residents underpin its placement.
Violent Crime Rate: 95 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,450 per 100kSafety Index: 8.4/10Population: 230 kDisaster Risk: 5/10
added by IJRin 6 rankings
Frisco, TX▲ Rising
Frisco paired explosive growth with new police stations and school resource officers that kept violent crime below 80 per 100k. Property crime rose modestly but stayed below state averages. Its ranking reflects deliberate safety scaling.
Violent Crime Rate: 78 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,400 per 100kSafety Index: 8.6/10Population: 210 kDisaster Risk: 3/10
added by IJR
Chandler, AZ
Chandler scaled police hiring with its tech boom to hold violent crime below 85 per 100k. Property crime remained moderate through neighborhood design standards. The city’s ranking reflects deliberate growth management.
Violent Crime Rate: 82 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,400 per 100kSafety Index: 8.5/10Population: 260 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Carmel, IN
Carmel invested roundabouts and lighting that reduced traffic-related incidents and supported low violent crime near 55 per 100k. Property crime stayed controlled in its expanding downtown. The city’s infrastructure focus earned high marks.
Violent Crime Rate: 55 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,050 per 100kSafety Index: 8.8/10Population: 100 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Henderson, NV
Henderson leveraged Las Vegas metro resources while maintaining lower violent crime at roughly 100 per 100k. Property crime stayed controlled through master-planned communities. Proximity to major employment centers supported steady rankings.
Violent Crime Rate: 100 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,500 per 100kSafety Index: 8.3/10Population: 320 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Olathe, KS▼ Falling
Olathe kept violent crime around 75 per 100k by embedding officers in new subdivisions. Property crime remained controlled through business partnerships. The city’s steady growth management earned consistent rankings.
Violent Crime Rate: 75 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,250 per 100kSafety Index: 8.5/10Population: 140 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Lexington, MA▲ Rising
Lexington kept violent crime extremely low near 40 per 100k through historic preservation and tight community oversight. Property crime stayed minimal thanks to engaged residents. Its small size and resources support top-tier safety.
Violent Crime Rate: 40 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 850 per 100kSafety Index: 9.2/10Population: 34 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Overland Park, KS
Overland Park reduced property crime through business-district partnerships and held violent crime near 85 per 100k. The city’s suburban layout and quick response times supported its ranking. Sustained budgets kept it competitive.
Violent Crime Rate: 85 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,300 per 100kSafety Index: 8.5/10Population: 195 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Rancho Cucamonga reduced property crime after 2010 retail corridor upgrades while holding violent crime near 80 per 100k. The city’s inland location and added deputies supported its climb. Steady enforcement kept it competitive.
Violent Crime Rate: 80 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,300 per 100kSafety Index: 8.5/10Population: 175 kDisaster Risk: 5/10
added by IJR
San Ramon, CA
San Ramon’s tech-driven growth funded additional officers that kept violent crime under 55 per 100k. Property crime stayed moderate in planned communities. The city’s safety record reflects deliberate resource allocation.
Violent Crime Rate: 52 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,050 per 100kSafety Index: 8.8/10Population: 85 kDisaster Risk: 5/10
added by IJR
Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale maintained safety through tourism-funded patrols that kept violent crime near 90 per 100k. Property crime in resort areas declined after 2015 upgrades. The city’s upscale layout aided visibility and response.
Violent Crime Rate: 90 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,550 per 100kSafety Index: 8.4/10Population: 250 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Fishers, IN
Fishers paired suburban growth with added officers and school programs that kept violent crime around 60 per 100k. Property crime declined after 2015 retail security pushes. The city’s family-oriented planning underpins its spot.
Violent Crime Rate: 60 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,100 per 100kSafety Index: 8.7/10Population: 100 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo held violent crime near 60 per 100k through hillside development rules and active patrols. Property crime declined after 2015 community programs. Its master-planned origins continue to support top safety scores.
Violent Crime Rate: 60 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,000 per 100kSafety Index: 8.7/10Population: 95 kDisaster Risk: 6/10
added by IJR
Rockville, MD▲ Rising
Rockville sustained low violent crime near 70 per 100k through downtown revitalization and added lighting. Property crime stayed moderate with mixed-use design. The city’s safety record reflects targeted urban investment.
Violent Crime Rate: 70 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,150 per 100kSafety Index: 8.6/10Population: 67 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Lake Forest, CA
Lake Forest maintained low violent crime near 65 per 100k with hillside visibility and added deputies. Property crime stayed controlled in its planned layout. The city’s safety edge comes from consistent suburban design.
Violent Crime Rate: 65 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,100 per 100kSafety Index: 8.6/10Population: 85 kDisaster Risk: 6/10
added by IJR
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach cut beachfront property crime with seasonal patrols and cameras after 2012 spikes. Violent crime remained around 110 per 100k thanks to military-town coordination. Tourism funding helped maintain the edge.
Violent Crime Rate: 110 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,600 per 100kSafety Index: 8.2/10Population: 450 kDisaster Risk: 7/10
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Sugar Land, TX
Sugar Land kept violent crime below 65 per 100k with master-planned neighborhoods and quick police response. Property crime remained low thanks to active homeowner associations. Its ranking reflects long-term safety planning.
Violent Crime Rate: 62 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 950 per 100kSafety Index: 8.9/10Population: 110 kDisaster Risk: 5/10
added by IJR
Keller, TX
Keller kept violent crime below 60 per 100k with community policing in expanding suburbs. Property crime remained controlled through active resident groups. The city’s family-focused planning earned steady safety placement.
Violent Crime Rate: 58 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,000 per 100kSafety Index: 8.8/10Population: 50 kDisaster Risk: 3/10
added by IJR
Peoria, AZ
Peoria scaled safety resources with its west-valley expansion to hold violent crime near 85 per 100k. Property crime stayed moderate through newer housing standards. The city’s ranking reflects balanced growth and enforcement.
Violent Crime Rate: 85 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,400 per 100kSafety Index: 8.4/10Population: 190 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Johns Creek, GA
Johns Creek maintained low violent crime around 55 per 100k by expanding police with new developments. Property crime stayed moderate through neighborhood standards. The city’s rapid but planned growth preserved safety rankings.
Violent Crime Rate: 55 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 1,050 per 100kSafety Index: 8.8/10Population: 85 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Newton, MA▼ Falling
Newton sustained very low violent crime around 45 per 100k with dense neighborhood watches and quick police response. Property crime remained low in its established suburbs. The city’s ranking reflects long-term resident engagement.
Violent Crime Rate: 45 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 900 per 100kSafety Index: 9.1/10Population: 90 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
Weston, FL▼ Falling
Weston held violent crime near 50 per 100k through gated communities and private security partnerships. Property crime stayed low thanks to controlled access. The city’s planned design supports its safety reputation.
Violent Crime Rate: 50 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 950 per 100kSafety Index: 8.9/10Population: 70 kDisaster Risk: 6/10
added by IJR
Dublin, OH
Dublin held violent crime around 50 per 100k by scaling police with corporate growth. Property crime stayed low through planned business parks. The city’s safety edge comes from consistent infrastructure and enforcement.
Violent Crime Rate: 50 per 100kProperty Crime Rate: 980 per 100kSafety Index: 8.9/10Population: 49 kDisaster Risk: 4/10
added by IJR
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Missing a few names that belong in the top ten, but the top three is basically right.
Wild that Irvine, CA is winning this. Scroll down — the real answer is further down the board.
This is the most honest version of this ranking I've seen anywhere. The pros and cons are fair.
The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.
Irvine, CA at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.