Top 10 Safest States in America and Expert Safety Tips

Safety is often at the top of the list when you are deciding where to live. The safest states in America offer residents peace of mind and a better quality of life, involving low crime rate. But “safety” goes beyond crime! It also includes financial security and emergency readiness.

In this guide, we’ll reveal the safest states in the United States and explain what makes them secure. Moreover, we will provide practical safety tips you can use no matter where you live.

How We Collected the Safety Data

We analyzed official crime statistics and reputable safety studies to identify the safest states. Our data comes from sources like the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program and comprehensive state safety reports. For example, U.S. News & World Report compiles public safety data from the federal databases.

We also considered WalletHub’s safety index, which compares all 50 states on 52 key indicators across five categories:

• Personal & Residential Safety
• Financial Safety
• Road Safety
• Workplace Safety
• Emergency Preparedness

This blended approach gives a broad view of safety and disaster preparedness.

What Is the Safest State in America?

Vermont emerges as the safest state in America by most measures. In a recent WalletHub study, Vermont ranked #1 with a high overall safety score and exceptionally low crime rates. This state also excels in community safety factors. It has one of the lowest assault rates per capita and a very low unemployment rate, contributing to financial security.

• Vermont’s violent crime rate: ~1.7 incidents per 1,000 people.
• Maine’s violent crime rate: ~108 per 100,000 people.
• US national violent crime average: ~398 per 100,000 people.

Top 10 Safest States in America

Safety can be measured by comprehensive safety scores and by violent crime rates. The following states rank as the safest in the United States according to recent analyses:

The Top United States Safest States Performers:

1. Vermont

Leads the nation with the highest overall safety score due to its low crime and high community trust. Notably, ~77% of parents in Vermont say they feel their neighborhoods are safe. The state’s labor market is notably stable (unemployment 2.5%), a factor linked with overall community well-being.

2. New Hampshire

Boasts one of the lowest violent crime rates. It also has the fewest assaults per capita in the country. It also records one of the lowest traffic-fatality rates per 100M vehicle miles (0.87), reinforcing road safety as a real-world strength.

3. Maine

This state tends to be America’s lowest violent crime rate overall. Maine experiences very few assaults and property crimes, which reputes it the safest state by crime statistics. In preparedness, Maine ranks near the top nationally, reflecting powerful planning for natural hazards.

4. Massachusetts

Scores highly due to superb road safety and strong financial security. These strengths outweigh its relatively average violent crime rate and secure its top 5 spot. It also posts the lowest gun-death rate in the nation, according to CDC data summarized by Johns Hopkins.

5. Utah

Utah has the nation’s lowest rate of deadly drunk-driving accidents and is tied for the lowest unemployment rate. Strong emergency preparedness efforts also contribute to Utah’s high safety ranking. It also tops WalletHub’s Workplace Safety category, reflecting risk reduction beyond crime alone.

6. Hawaii

Honolulu appears among the safest large US cities, complementing the state’s broader safety profile. Hawaii couples personal safety with economic stability with unemployment averaging 3.1%. WalletHub also places Hawaii in the top tier for Financial Safety, an indicator associated with lower victimization risks.

7. Connecticut

Connecticut recorded the 6th-lowest gun-death rate in 2023, per CDC data analyzed by Johns Hopkins. WalletHub ranks the state #2 in Personal & Residential Safety, highlighting low exposure to common risks in the community. USAFacts also shows Connecticut’s 2023 gun-death rate was 54% lower than the U.S. average.

8. Minnesota

Minnesota posts the second-lowest traffic-fatality rate per 100M miles (0.76). That aligns with WalletHub category ranks, placing Minnesota near the top for Road Safety and Workplace Safety. This combination of safer roads and strong job-site protections helps explain its durable placement in national safety leaderboards.

9. Rhode Island

Rhode Island consistently shows very small numbers of hotline-identified human-trafficking cases, indicating relatively low detected prevalence. It also ranks in WalletHub’s top ten for Emergency Preparedness, having strong planning for storms and other hazards. Balanced category results support its overall placement among the nation’s safest states.

10. Wyoming

Wyoming maintains more officers per resident than 88% of states, according to LEOKA-based analysis. Its safety profile is broadly even across WalletHub’s categories, with mid-pack rankings but strong safety relative to peers. The state’s unemployment rate (Aug 2025 3.2%) remains below the U.S. average.

6 Practical Ways to Stay Safe in Your Home and Community

You can take action to improve your personal and home safety no matter where you live. Here are six proven strategies:

1. Stay Informed About Local Crime

Awareness always comes as the first line of defense, whatever the disaster is. Simply sign up for police alerts or neighborhood apps like Citizen to keep track of incidents in your area. You can adapt your precautions by knowing the estimation of crime patterns. It’s like locking your car during break-in spikes or avoiding unsafe areas at night.

2. Join a Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch programs have been shown to reduce crime by around 16%. You can create a visible presence that deters criminals and makes your area harder to target. Even simple acts like checking on homes while neighbors are away can make a big difference.

3. Secure Your Home with Modern Systems

Homes without reliable security systems are three times more likely to be burglarized. Installing alarms or smart cameras works as a quite effective deterrent against break-ins. You can consider advanced solutions like the Eufy ExpertSecure System E10 or Eufy security cameras.

• Eufy ExpertSecure System E10: The Eufy ExpertSecure System E10 is a 24/7 local video alarm system with expert monitoring. It includes intelligent sensors for doors, windows and smoke, combined with indoor video verification. Plus, you’re not wholly dependent on cloud storage because the system offers local storage.

• Eufy Security Cameras: The Eufy security cameras collection covers a wide range of camera options, including wired setups and battery-powered models. Many cameras in the lineup offer advanced imaging, weather resistance, motion detection, and built-in spotlight or siren features, making them versatile for different use cases.

4. Improve Lighting and Visibility

Lighting your property seems to be simple but is actually a powerful defense. This is because most criminals prefer darkness for their notorious activities. Motion-sensor lights and trimmed landscaping make hiding spots less attractive. So improved visibility can reduce crime in an area as a low-cost, effective measure.

5. Practice Digital Safety

Security today isn’t only physical because cyber risks matter too. Over 80% of users admit to putting their accounts and smart homes at risk by reusing passwords. Always use strong passwords along with two-factor authentication and keep smart locks. Plus, secure your Wi-Fi and keep all connected devices updated.

6. Have Emergency Plans and Safety Drills

Disasters and crises can strike even in the safest states. That’s where you must create escape routes and rehearse simple drills to let everyone learn to handle emergency situations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, safety is a priority for every household no matter where you choose to live. This guide explains the safest states in America like Vermont and Maine with low crime. You can take control of your safety through smart approaches, as mentioned above.

Joining neighborhood efforts and using reliable security camera systems like Eufy’s security solutions make a real difference without high costs. Moreover, this guide has also shed light on some of the most effective tips you can follow to stay safe in the US. Always remember that safety is not a one-time task but an ongoing mindset of yours.

FAQs

What are the top 10 safest states in America?

The ten safest states in US are Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Utah, Hawaii, Connecticut, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Wyoming. They rank highest for low violent crime and disaster preparedness.

What state has the worst crime rate?

Alaska gets reported as having the highest violent crime rate at about 837 incidents per 100,000 people. Plus, the number of law enforcement officers per 1000 violent crimes have significantly reduced in recent years.

What is the safest place in the United States?

New Hampshire has been frequently named among the safest US states, with almost no violent incidents. Evidently, small towns are usually the safest and often report minimum violence.

Which is the most peaceful state in the USA to live in?

Vermont is often called the most peaceful state because of its community-focused lifestyle besides having low violent crime. High levels of civic engagement are also seen in its tradition of town meetings where residents actively participate in local governance.