What are the safest states in the US? With more than 488 mass shootings across the US in 2024, according to the Gun Violence Archive, almost 16,576 Americans lost to gun violence, 39,345 Traffic Fatalities in 2024 across the country and 568 direct or indirect fatalities in climate disasters—all in 2024 alone—it's no wonder that safety is top of mind for many Americans, whether they're looking for a place to travel or somewhere to live.
Safety situation is constantly evolving, and having the most up-to-date information helps understand where places are safer to make informed decisions and stay prepared when visiting or living in popular destinations. In this guide, we'll reveal the safest states in the United States, explain what makes them secure and provide practical safety tips.
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How Do We Rank the Safest States in America?
We mainly collect data from Personal finance company WalletHub's 2025 report. WalletHub ranks the safest states in the country by analyzing all 50 states using 52 key indicators of safety, both personal and financial, and grouped them into five categories: personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness.
For crime statistics, we collected data from FBI’s 2024 Uniform Crime Reports (UCR). This blended approach provides more accurate and comprehensive information.
What Is the Safest State in America?
Source: realtor
According to the new WalletHub report, Vermont is the safest state in America with a high overall safety score and exceptionally low crime rates. Nearly 75 percent of parents in Vermont believe they live in safe neighborhoods, the fourth-highest percentage in the country.
New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Utah round out the top five. The top four states are all in the Northeast. Some Northeast states tend to be wealthier, have stricter gun control and higher rates of education, and be less prone to extreme weather events.
Safety is not just about the crime rate, auto fatality rate or risk of natural disasters. As Chip Lupo said:
“The safest states in America protect their residents from harm in a multitude of different ways, from keeping crime rates low and maintaining safe roadways to having strong economies and job markets that prevent people from falling into dangerous financial situations. They have high levels of occupational safety and disaster preparedness, too. In addition, states are made safer by efforts that individual residents take, such as forming a neighborhood watch or working in firefighting and EMT jobs at high rates. ”
WallethubTop 10 Safest States in America
The following states rank as the top 10 safest states in America based on WalletHub's safety score and FBI's crime rate:
| Rank | State | Population | Total Score | Personal & Residential Safety Rank | Total Crime Rate (per 100k) | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Property Crime Rate (per 100k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 648,493 | 67.22 | 12 | 1846.6 | 219.1 | 1,627.50 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 7,136,171 | 66.56 | 3 | 1426.8 | 315 | 1,112 |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,409,032 | 65.75 | 2 | 1028.1 | 110 | 918 |
| 4 | Maine | 1,405,012 | 64.69 | 5 | 1242.2 | 100 | 1,142 |
| 5 | Utah | 3,503,613 | 62.88 | 28 | 1638.5 | 230 | 1,409 |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,675,069 | 62.25 | 1 | 1502.1 | 136 | 1,366.10 |
| 7 | Hawaii | 1,446,146 | 61.52 | 18 | 2164.5 | 217.7 | 1,946.80 |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,793,151 | 61.25 | 23 | 1862.9 | 256.6 | 1,606.30 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,112,308 | 60.17 | 8 | 1186 | 153.6 | 1,032.40 |
| 10 | Wyoming | 587,618 | 59.04 | 14 | 1435.3 | 203.4 | 1,231.90 |
1. Vermont
Vermont ranks as the number one state for safety and it's especially good when it comes to neighborhood safety. It has the fourth-highest percentage of safest neighborhoods in America, while also having the seventh-most neighborhood watch groups per capita.
The overall crime rate in Vermont is 1,846.6 per 100,000, which is 12.9% lower than the national average of 2,119.2 per 100,000. Vermont has the 15th-fewest aggravated assaults, 17th-fewest murders and nonnegligent manslaughters, and 24th-fewest thefts per capita, too.
Meanwhile, Vermont has safe roads, with the second-best road quality in the U.S. It also has the 11th-fewest traffic fatalities per 100 million miles traveled and the sixth-fewest pedestrian fatalities per capita.
Regarding financial safety, Vermont has a 2.3% unemployment rate and a low rate of seriously underwater mortgages.
2. Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the second-safest state in the country, with the third-best job security rate and the fourth-highest annual job growth rate. The state has a low crime rate, with an overall rate of 1,426.8 per 100,000, which is 32.7% lower than the national average. It ranks fourth in the fewest thefts and murders and manslaughters per capita. Additionally, Massachusetts had the eighth-lowest number of mass shootings between June 2023 and June 2025. The state also experiences relatively low levels of sexual crimes and drug-related arrests.
3. New Hampshire
New Hampshire ranks third, with notably low levels of violent crime. Between June 2023 and June 2025, it reported the fewest mass shootings and the lowest murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rates. The state also ranks second in the fewest aggravated assaults and thefts per capita.
According to WalletHub, most residents believe they live in safe neighborhoods and feel their children attend safe schools. New Hampshire also has a low rate of violence and the highest number of neighborhood watch groups per capita. Additionally, the state excels in financial safety, boasting the nation's lowest unemployment rate at 2.6% and the lowest poverty rate.
4. Maine
Maine ranks as the 4th safest state in the U.S., with a violent crime rate of 100 per 10,000, which is 72% lower than the national average. The state performed well across various categories, ranking 2nd in emergency preparedness and 5th in personal and residential safety, which includes a #1 ranking for the fewest assaults per capita. Maine also ranked in the top 10 for financial safety (8th) and road safety (8th). Its lowest ranking was in workplace safety (25th), still in the top half, so not considered poor.
5. Utah
Utah ranks as the fifth-safest state and is the only Southwestern state to appear in the top 10. The state ranked second for the lowest per-capita loss from climate disasters, fourth for the fewest fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, and seventh for job security. It also placed fifth for workplace safety and third for emergency preparedness.
Other than the recent Charlie Kirk assassination at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah hasn't seen any national crime stories since murderer Gary Gilmore.
6. Connecticut
Connecticut ranks as the sixth-safest state in the country, with an overall crime rate 29% lower than the national average. The state ranked #1 in personal and residential safety and #3 ranking for the fewest assaults per capita. Additionally, Connecticut placed #9 for financial safety. However, the state fared less well in workplace safety, ranking #32.
7. Hawaii
Connecticut ranks as the seventh-safest state in the country. Known for its awe-inspiring beauty, Hawaii also ranks highly in safety, reaching its highest rank (#11) in financial safety. While its overall crime rate is slightly higher than the national average, its violent crime rate is much lower.
Additionally, for the second consecutive year, Hawaii secured the top spot on WalletHub's annual ranking of the happiest states in America. Hawaii residents report the highest levels of life satisfaction in the country and the second-lowest rate of depression. Thanks to its tourism economy, Hawaii has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and the second-highest share of households with an annual income above $75,000.
8. Minnesota
Minnesota ranks as the eighth-safest state in America for 2025, with both its violent crime rate and property crime rate lower than the national average. It was the only Upper Midwest state to place in the top 10. The state's high ranking was supported by its strong performance in several areas: it placed fifth in financial safety, second in road safety, and sixth in workplace safety. However, it ranked 23rd for personal and residential safety and emergency preparedness.
9. Rhode Island
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the country by total area, ranks 9th overall. Its highest ranking categories were in personal and residential safety and emergency preparedness, both ranked No. 8. Rhode Island ranks 14th in road safety, with relatively low traffic fatalities per 100 million miles traveled, despite the Federal Highway Administration ranking it the worst state for road quality in August.
10. Wyoming
Wyoming ranks last on the list, but it stands out in several areas. Known for its natural beauty and ranch lifestyle, the state ranks highest (No. 14) in personal and residential safety, with low crime, fraud, and drug overdose rates. This is reflected in its crime rates, with the state's overall crime rate being 32% lower than the national average.
Top 5 Least Safest States in America
Louisiana, with a score of 36.2 out of 100 (where higher scores indicate better safety), was ranked as the least safe state in the U.S. Next came Mississippi, which received a score of 36.77. Texas was ranked the third least safe state with a score of 38.14, and Florida came fourth with 38.67 points. The fifth most dangerous state was Arkansas, which received 40.16 points.
| Rank | State | Population | Total Score | Personal & Residential Safety Rank | Total Crime Rate (per 100k) | Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | Property Crime Rate (per 100k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Arkansas | 3,088,354 | 40.16 | 42 | 2508.9 | 579.4 | 1,929.50 |
| 47 | Florida | 23,372,215 | 38.67 | 34 | 1687.5 | 267 | 1,420 |
| 48 | Texas | 31,290,831 | 38.14 | 39 | 2429.9 | 389 | 2,041 |
| 49 | Mississippi | 2,943,045 | 36.77 | 20 | 1573.5 | 211 | 1,363 |
| 50 | Louisiana | 4,597,740 | 36.2 | 38 | 2816.2 | 520 | 2,296 |
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.
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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.
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eufy Security Cameras: eufy provides 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 Massachusetts with low crime and some states that need safety improvement. You can take control of your safety through some of the most effective tips, as mentioned above.
Joining neighborhood efforts and using reliable security camera systems like eufy’s security solutions make a real difference without high costs. 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 10 safest states in the US are Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Utah, Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, Rhode Island, and Wyoming. They rank highest for low violent crime and disaster preparedness.
What state has the worst crime rate?
According to FBI data, Alaska has the highest violent crime rate at about 724 incidents per 100,000 people. Plus, the number of law enforcement officers per 1000 violent crimes has significantly reduced in recent years.
What is the safest place to live in the United States?
According to WalletHub, Vermont is the safest place to live in the United States. It not only has low crime rates, but also offers strong financial and community safety. The state has the fourth-highest percentage of safest neighborhoods in America and ranks seventh for the most neighborhood watch groups per capita.
