If you’re thinking about where to live in Idaho, safety is probably near the top of your list. Maybe you want small‑town calm. Or maybe you want a city in Idaho that balances amenities, nature, and peace of mind.
Whatever your reasons, Idaho has a lot to offer. In 2025, some cities stand out for being among the safest places to live in Idaho.
I walked through crime data, resident surveys, and local info so you can see what makes certain places safer, and whether Idaho is safe enough that you could feel comfortable moving there.
Is Idaho Safe? The Big Picture
To be fair, Idaho is safer than many states in the U.S., especially when it comes to property crime.
According to USAFacts, in 2024, Idaho had about 231 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 736 property crimes per 100,000. That property crime rate is among the lowest in the country.
Violent crime in Idaho is generally well below national averages. In many of its smaller cities and towns, violent crime is very rare. But property crimes (thefts, burglary, etc.) show more variation.
In some urban and suburban zones, there are increases in thefts or car prowls. So yes, Idaho is relatively safe, but “safe” is a sliding scale, depending on exactly which city or neighborhood you pick.
Another thing: residents’ sense of safety tends to be higher in Idaho than in many places nationwide.
A survey from SafeWise shows ~70% of Idahoans report feeling safe in their state vs ~48% nationally.So there’s a confidence in “living in Idaho”
What Makes a City “Safe” in Idaho
When I say “safest city in Idaho,” here’s what I mean, and how I judged:
- Violent crime rates(homicide, assault, robbery). If these are very low, that’s a strong mark.
- Property crime rates(burglary, theft, auto theft). These tend to vary more, so lower is better.
- Population‑adjusted metrics.A city of 5,000 with one assault is very different from a city of 100,000 with 100 assaults. Rates per capita matter.
- Trends: Is crime going down, stable, or up? If a place has improved safety, that’s a bonus.
- Services & community infrastructure: good police presence, community engagement, good school safety, access to health/emergency services.
- Resident feedback: what people say about walking at night, feeling safe in public places, neighborhood watch programs, etc.
Using this set gives a more rounded view than just “lowest crime number.” Also helps you see why a city feels safe, not just that it is.
Top Safest Cities in Idaho in 2025
Here are several places in Idaho that are among the safest cities in Idaho this year, based on the most recent data. These are good places to live if safety is a priority. Some are small, some are mid‑size. Each has strengths.
1. Rexburg
Population: ~39,975
Crime Data (Violent & Property Crime Rates):
-
Violent crime rate:~ 0.55 per 1,000 residents → that’s about 55 per 100,000
-
Property crime rate:~ 2.93 per 1,000 residents → about 293 per 100,000
To put that in perspective: Rexburg's violent crime rate is well below Idaho’s and the U.S. averages.
Why it feels safe:
- It really is, violent crimes like assault or robbery happen, but very rarely.
- Locals often say walking around at night doesn’t feel risky; the community is engaged and visible.
- Strong local law enforcement presence keeps things calm.
What appeals to families/seniors:
- Schools are reliable, not flashy but dependable.
- Costs are moderate relative to many larger Idaho cities.
- Outdoor access is excellent — parks, trails, nature nearby.
2. Meridian
Population: ~ 135,000 people
Crime Data: Violent & Property Crime Rates:
- Violent crime rate:about 65 per 1,000 residents.
- Property crime rate:about 97 per 1,000 residents.
- To compare: Meridian's violent crime is well below the U.S. average (~366 per 100,000), and its property crime rate is significantly lower than many similarly sized U.S. cities.
Why it’s safer than many think:
- Though property crime happens more than violent crime, most incidents are theft or nonviolent (burglary, etc.), not aggravated assault or worse.
- Meridian’s violent crime risk is about 1 in 604 per year, meaning you have that chance of being a victim of a violent crime.
What appeals to families/seniors:
- Schools and health services are good. Many neighborhoods have parks, community events, and green spaces.
- You get city amenities — shops, roads, hospitals — without the sense of chaos some big cities have.
- Many residents report walking in neighborhoods at dusk or early evening with little worry.
3. Weiser · Fruitland · Preston
These three are small Idaho towns. Their total number of people is low, so even a few crime incidents push up rates, but still, their crime numbers stay pretty mild compared to many places. Let’s look at what data shows about violent vs. property crimes in each.
Weiser
- Population:~ 6,000 to 6,100.
- Violent crime rate:~ 65 per 1,000 people per year.
- Property crime rate:Also ~ 65 per 1,000
- Why it feels very safe:Weiser is safer than roughly 80% of U.S. towns of its size. Locals say thefts/burglaries happen, but violent crime is rare. Many parts of the town have very few incidents.
Fruitland
- Population:~ 6,800 people.
- Violent crime rate:~ 02 per 1,000 people.
- Property crime rate:~ 83 per 1,000 .
- What that means:Fruitland sees more property crime than Weiser, but violent crimes like murder, robbery, and rape are very low (often zero in certain years). Many people who live there say it feels quiet, especially outside the busier roads.
Preston
- Population:~ 5,900 people.
- Crime data: Preston’s total crime rate per 100,000 is much lower than the national average. Zero homicides have being reported in recent data. Property crime is still present but at levels well below many similar towns.
- What people notice: Because violent crime is so rare, people often say “we don’t lock everything up all day” or “walking around isn’t scary.” It’s quieter than big places, fewer sirens, fewer stories of break‑ins.
So, what can you take from these three?
If you want places where violent crime is almost non‑existent, Weiser, Fruitland, and Preston deliver. Property crime is more common, theft, sometimes burglary, but nothing like big cities. If your priority is peace of mind over big amenities, these towns might be exactly what you’re looking for.
4. Rathdrum, Middleton, Post Falls,
These are cities/towns in Idaho that make SafeWise’s top‑10 safest list for 2025. The data shows their violent crime and property crime are low enough to give confidence, though what “low enough” means shifts depending on size and what you expect.
Rathdrum
- Population:~ 11,580
- Violent crime rate:~ 69 per 1,000 residents
- Property crime rate:~ 38 per 1,000 residents
- Notes:It’s newer on the “safe cities” radar. Violent crime is well below the U.S. average. Property crime is higher, but still moderate for a town of this size.
Middleton
- Population:~ 11,016
- Violent crime rate:~09 per 1,000 residents
- Property crime rate:~ 35 per 1,000 residents
- Notes:Middleton is growing fast. Crime has increased a bit over the years, but its rate remains lower than or close to many comparable sized towns. The feeling of safety remains strong, according to locals.
Post Falls
- Population:~ 44,798
- Violent crime rate:~ 43 per 1,000 residents
- Property crime rate:~ 51 per 1,000 residents
- Notes:Close to Coeur d’Alene, so access to more services. Property crime is the bigger issue here compared to violent crime. Still, many parts of the city feel safe, especially suburban neighborhoods.
Most Dangerous Cities in Idaho (to Compare)
It helps to see the flip side. These aren’t necessarily unsafe by national standards, but compared to other Idaho places, their crime rates, especially property crime, are higher. It’s not to scare you. Just things to watch out for.
Garden City
- Violent crime rate:~ 88 per 1,000 people, or about a 1 in 145 chance per year.
- Property crime rate:~ 182 per 1,000 people, which is about 1 in 59.
- Compared to Idaho’s averages, Garden City is much higher in both violent and property crime.
Twin Falls
- Violent crime rate:~0 per 1,000 residents.
- Property crime rate:~ 5 per 1,000 people .
- So, in Twin Falls, while violent crime is notably above that of many Idaho towns, property crime is the bigger challenge.
Other Cities (Nampa, Lewiston, Chubbuck)
- Specific numeric rates were harder to locate for some of these in recent public sources. But reporting (including the Idaho Statesman) consistently shows higher burglary, theft, and break‑in ratesin certain neighborhoods, especially in Nampa and Lewiston. Chubbuck shows elevated property crime per capita compared to Idaho’s quieter towns.
- These cities tend to have bigger populations, more mixed neighborhoods—some very safe, some less so. Crime tends to concentrate in zones with fewer resources/less policing visibility.
These cities aren’t “dangerous” in the sense that you can’t live there safely. But if you care a lot about property loss or want a low chance of any crime, the stats suggest being especially selective about neighborhoods in those places.
How to Keep Your Home Safe in Idaho (Even in the Safest Cities)
Even in the safest city in Idaho, you might still worry about property theft, packages, or break‑ins. That’s normal. Here are tools and practices that help. I think combining community awareness with smart tech gives the best peace of mind.
Security Tools: eufy ExpertSecure System and eufy NVR System S4 Max
- The eufy ExpertSecure System offers professional 24/7 monitoring, so you (or someone you trust) doesn’t have to watch every alert. In many cities, neighbors already know one another, but having a monitored system gives extra backup.
- The eufy NVR System S4 Max is great because it records locally (no reliance on cloud subscriptions), offers AI‑based detection (people, vehicles), so fewer false alarms. It’s “always‑on,” which means you get full coverage. Especially useful in suburban or rural homes where the internet might lag or fail sometimes.
These systems are particularly useful in cities with lower crime rates, small incidents still happen. A stolen package or garage break‑in doesn’t usually qualify to go on state crime stats, but it hits home, literally. Having cameras, reliable recording, and maybe security lighting deters opportunistic theft.
Other Practical Steps
- Engage in neighborhood watch or local safety groups. In many of these safest towns, people talk to neighbors and share info on local safety. That matters.
- Choose your neighborhood within a city carefully: some zones (closer to busy roads or industrial zones) see more property crime.
- Ensure schools you consider have safety protocols (lighting, traffic, security officers).
So, is Idaho safe?
Yes, especially if you’re looking in the right places, like Rexburg, Weiser, and Fruitland are top of mind, but even larger spots like Meridian or Post Falls offer a good balance of safety and livability too.
Stats matter, but they don’t tell you everything. If you’re serious about moving, visit a few towns. Walk around. Talk to people and remember, safety goes beyond numbers, it’s about how a place feels. And in many corners of Idaho, it still feels calm, neighborly, and secure.
FAQ
1. What city has the lowest crime rate in Idaho?
Based on current data, Rexburg has the lowest crime rate in Idaho, it consistently rated among the safest cities in the state, and the numbers back it up.
- Violent crime rate:~ 0.55 per 1,000 residents (≈ 55 per 100,000)
- Property crime rate:~ 2.93 per 1,000 residents (≈ 293 per 100,000)
- Odds of being a victim:1 in 1,817 for violent crime; 1 in 342 for property crime
These rates are significantly lower than both state and national averages, making Rexburg a clear standout when it comes to safety in Idaho.
2.What is the best city in Idaho to live in?
“Best” depends on what you want. If safety is your top concern, Rexburg is an excellent choice if you want more amenities with good safety; Meridian or Post Falls are strong choices.
3.Where does Idaho rank in safety?
Idaho ranks among the safest states in the U.S. For example, in 2024 the property crime rate in Idaho was about 736 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the U.S. average.
