Top 10 Safest Cities in Florida: 2025 Complete Guide

Dreaming of Florida's swaying palm trees, sandy white beaches, sweet naval oranges, and frozen drinks? While enjoying a tropical paradise with a 24/7 vacation vibe, it's important to understand the state's safety situation. As you might imagine, city crime rate levels inherently vary. Some cities and neighborhoods in Florida have higher crime rates that warrant caution. Choosing a safe place should be your top priority.

In this guide, we've compiled a list of the top 10 safest cities in Florida, based on crime statistics, flood, and hurricane information extracted from UCR/NIBRS. This way, you can fully enjoy beach life without worrying about potential dangers in your backyard.

Source: Expedia

Is Florida Safe?

Yes, Florida is generally safe in terms of crime rates. In 2024, for every 100,000 people, 267 violent crimes and 1,420 property crimes. Compared to the US average, the violent crime rate in 2024 in Florida was 25.6% lower, and its rate of property crime was 19.3% lower.

But a new report from WalletHub has ranked Florida in bottom five, based on personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness. Florida's poor ranking in WalletHub's study was primarily due to its vulnerability to hurricanes. Facing the challenge of frequent hurricanes, you still need to stay vigilant.

How We Ranked These Cities:

This list of the safest cities in Florida is ranked on the basis of information gathered from updated and trusted sources, including the NIBRS (Report 2022), the FBI’s UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting) Program (Crime Data Explorer Report 2024), and NeighborhoodScout (Report 2022). This guide ranks cities according to the 2022 NeighborhoodScout report and the 2024 FBI CDE City Agency Report. The hurricane and flood risk ranking is based on the U.S. Census Bureau Report. 

The safest cities are ranked based on the following factors that significantly impact safety. 

1. Violent crime cases
2. Property crime cases
3. Hurricane and Flood Risk

Quick Snapshot Table: Safest Cities in Florida 2025

This ranking is based on the latest FBI report for 2024 because the data for 2025 has not been recorded yet. 

Top 10 Safest Cities in Florida (2025 Ranking)

The safest cities in Florida are ranked based on the last updated NeighborhoodScout Security Gauge 2022 report and the FBI’s CDE City Agency Report 2024 report. The U.S. Census measures the hurricane and flood risks. The FBI’s CDE 2024 report shows limited data for Florida.

1. Marco Island 

According to the FBI CDE City Agency Report 2024, there were 77 crime cases in Marco Island. In the population of 16326, 10 violent crimes and 67 property crimes were reported to the FBI in 2024. These stats mark Marco Island the safest city in Florida. Marco Island's flooding risk is expected to remain high over the next 30 years. 

2. North Palm Beach

The reported crimes of North Palm Beach are 83, according to the FBI CDE City Agency Report 2024. The population of North Palm Beach is 13,082, which reported 11 violent crimes and 72 property crimes in 2024. The hurricane and flood risk in North Palm Beach is moderate. 

3. Key Biscayne

Being the third safest city, Key Biscayne has reported 119 crime cases, as mentioned in the FBI's 2024 City Agency Report. The population of Key Biscayne is 14306, with only 8 violent crimes and 111 property crimes reported in 2024. The hurricane and flood risk in Key Biscayne is exceptionally high. 

4. Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor reported 139 overall crimes, according to the FBI's 2024 City Agency Report. The population of Key Biscayne is 16,924, with 22 reported violent crimes and 117 property crimes in 2024. The flood and hurricane risk for Safety Harbor is moderate to severe. 

5. Wildwood

According to the report, the overall reported crime cases are 141. There are 19 violent crimes and 22 property crimes reported among the population of 18636 in the year 2024. The hurricane and flood risk in Wildwood is minor. 

6. Parkland

Parkland is ranked 6th with a total of 176 reported crimes, according to NeighborhoodScout's 2024 statistics. In the population of 37911, 6 violent and 170 property crimes are reported. Parkland is at minor risk for flooding and moderate risk for hurricanes. 

7. Oviedo

FBI CDE City Agency Report 2024 shows 287 overall reported crimes in Oviedo. Oviedo has a population of 41,656, which reported 44 violent crimes and 243 property crimes in 2024. It has a minor flood risk but an extremely high hurricane risk. 

8. Weston

Weston has 289 reported crimes in the NeighborhoodScout Security Gauge Report. The population of Weston is 68311, with reported 27 violent and 262 property crimes. The flood risk for Weston is minor, whereas the hurricane risk is extreme. 

9. Sebastian

According to the FBI, the overall number of reported crimes in Sebastian was 289 in 2024. It has a population of 27445, which has 42 violent and 247 property crime reports. The flood risk for Sebastian is moderate, and the hurricane risk is extreme. 

10. Winter Springs

Winter Springs has 290 reported crimes, according to NeighborhoodScout's data. Its population is 38141, which has 50 and 240 reported cases of violent and property crimes, respectively. The flood risk for Winter Springs minor is high, and the hurricane risk is high. 

Safest Cities in Florida from Hurricanes

Since meteorologists began keeping detailed records in 1851, approximately 500 tropical and subtropical cyclones have affected the Sunshine State. With its long coastline and location, Florida frequently finds itself in the path of these intense storms. The southeast coastline is extremely susceptible to a land-falling hurricane, followed by the panhandle. But not all parts of Florida are as equally prone to hurricanes as the rest.

The most secure regions in Florida include Central Florida (like Orlando, Kissimmee and Sanford), Northeast Florida (such as Palatka), Central West Florida (Tampa), and North Central Florida (including Gainesville, Ocala and The Villages).

Least Safe Cities of Florida

The list of the least safe cities in Florida is based on the reported crime cases in the FBI's 2024 Report. 

1. Miami

Miami has the highest crime rate, with 15,968 reported cases to the FBI in 2024, among a population of 460,392. There were 2,179 reported violent crimes and 13,789 property crimes. 

2. Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg has reported 8158 crime cases in the latest FBI 2024 report. Among the population of 264,999, the reported cases of violent crimes and property crimes are 1,642 and 6,516, respectively. 

3. Tampa

Tampa, being the third least safe city in Florida, had 7,805 crime cases according to the FBI's 2024 report. It has a population of 408,646, with 1817 reported violent crime cases and 5988 property crime cases in 2024. 

4. Gainesville

Gainesville has a high crime rate, with 5060 reported crimes to the FBI in 2024. It has a population of 147,022 with reported 1085 violent crime cases and 3975 property crime cases. 

5. West Palm Beach

According to the latest FBI 2024 crime report, West Palm Beach has 3,431 reported crimes. Among the population of 126,427, there were 728 reported violent crimes and 2,703 property crimes. 

6 Essential Security Tips to Stay in Florida

To live safely in Florida, critical security measures include protection from digital threats, standard crime prevention, and regional risks such as floods and hurricanes. Here is how you can cater to these issues:

1. Use Your Street Smarts

Florida is home to some of the nation's largest cities – Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando, to name a few. Before hitting the streets in these cities, browse a map of the area, scout nearby neighborhoods, and get a feel for popular areas, or areas to stay away from. Especially at night, stick to well-lit streets or walkways, and avoid secluded, dark alleys or side streets.

2. Keep Your Valuables In Check

It's easy to get lost in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Florida. But anytime you're anywhere new and unknown, stay alert. This is especially true in crowded areas, where pickpockets can easily access your purse or backpack.

• Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
• Park in a well-lighted area and be sure to lock your car doors.
• Leave your passport, extra cash, or valuable accessories inside the hotel safe, and carry with you only a valid ID, credit card or cash for one day.
• Double check that you have your credit cards and wallet after you pay for your items.
• If you do have any troubles, you can quickly reach police by dialing 9-1-1.

3. Pay Attention to Florida Natural Disasters

When you're planning your trip to Florida, don't forget to check on the hurricane forecast. Hurricane season lasts from June to November. The peak points of the season are September and October. It's best to avoid visiting Florida during these months and to check the weather forecast before you leave.

If you do travel here during those times and there is a hurricane, there are a few tips to help:

• Make sure the tank of your vehicle is filled.
• Stock up on bottled water and shelf-stable food.
• Find someplace safe to stay during the storm – preferably an interior room with no windows far from the coast.
• Research your hotel or Airbnb’s policy about what to do in case of a hurricane.
• Identify the nearest emergency shelter.

4. Drive Carefully

While enjoying the scenic views along the way by car, you need to take extra care on the roads. Every year, Florida experiences close to 400,000 crashes, about 3,200 of which are fatal. During your trip to Florida, always practice defensive driving and always wear your seatbelt to avoid getting injured in a car accident.

5. Secure Entry Points

You can install security cameras and heavy-duty smart locks, like the eufy Smart Lock S330 on the doors of your house. The installation of video doorbells is also a new safety tool that can be used in Florida. If you have sliding doors, use a pin lock or a dowel lock in the track for protection. Install impact-resistant materials for windows and doors to reduce the risk of break-ins and storms.

6. Update Home Security

Update your home security system to a bright and modern one that features motion sensors, video doorbells, and remote monitoring capabilities via smartphone applications. If you’re looking for an advanced option with multiple security devices and a monitoring service, the eufy LocalSecure™ System has you covered.

eufy LocalSecure™ System

eufy LocalSecure™ System is an advanced 24/7 AI-powered DIY security system. It enhances every device and process as part of a larger security network. Put a shield around your home and create a worry-free, highly-advanced home security system for you.

The HomeBase S380 links eufy Security devices and empowers the entire ecosystem with BionicMind™ AI recognition. It detects, recognizes, determines, acts, and learns. It knows who's at the door, knows if they can be trusted, and acts accordingly, all with virtually no errors at up to 99.9% accuracy. Advanced encryption and expandable local storage, up to 16 TB, keep data safe and costs down.

Conclusion

The safest city in Florida is Marco Island, with only 77 reported cases of crime, and the least safe city in Florida is Miami, with 15,968 reported cases of crime in 2024. Safety essentials like securing entry points, outdoor security, protecting valuables, and updating home security systems to advanced systems with monitoring and multiple security devices. Hurricane and Flood protection with flood insurance and preparing emergency kits. 

FAQs

What is the safest city in Florida?

Marco Island is the safest city in Florida. According to the latest available FBI data, Marco Island had a property crime rate of 5.2 per every 1,000 people and a violent crime rate of .8 per every 1,000 people in 2024.

Is Florida a safe place to live in?

In terms of crime rates, Florida is definitely one of the safest large states to live, with lower violent and property crime rates compared to the US average. However, Florida is frequently affected by hurricanes, so it's still important to remain highly alert to the risks of natural disasters.

What cities in Florida are safest from hurricanes?

Some of the safest cities in Florida from hurricanes include Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford, Palatka, Tampa, Gainesville, Ocala and The Villages.