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America’s safest cities
City safety — or lack thereof — can lead to great disparity in quality of life and return on dollars invested by residents, businesses and government alike. With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked 50 of the largest U.S. cities to determine the safest based on violent crime, property crime, vehicular deaths, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking. Access to safety data can help Americans weigh the tradeoffs between locations, lifestyles and opportunities when considering where to take a job, buy a home, raise a family or retire.
Key Findings
San Jose, California, is the safest major city. San Jose ranked among the top 10 for every safety metric considered. Relative to its adult population, San Jose had the third-fewest violent crimes (5,185 total) and fifth-fewest property crimes (25,715). It had the fourth-lowest rate of drug overdose deaths at 17 per 100,000 people, and ranked ninth-best both for fewest vehicular deaths (7 per 100,000 people) and excessive drinking (17.8% of adults).
Three Texas cities are among the top 10 safest. Fort Worth, Arlington, and El Paso ranked third, seventh and eighth, respectively. Fort Worth and Arlington residents have a similar cost of living, with monthly housing costs at roughly $1,450 compared to a median income of around $75,000. El Paso is less expensive with monthly housing averaging $1,044, even when compared to the lower median income of $58,734.
San Francisco ranks 37th safest despite having the second-highest housing costs. Despite their close proximity, similar cost of living and intermingled economies, safety statistics in San Francisco look very different than those in San Jose. San Francisco does maintain particularly low rates of violent crime (5,712) and vehicular deaths, but performed poorly when it comes to property crimes (45,322 total), drug overdose deaths (63 per 100,000 people), and excessive drinking (24.7% of adults).
Washington, D.C. ranked 40th safest out of 50 cities. The nation’s capital had the second-highest rate of drug overdose deaths of major cities at 64 per 100,000 residents. For property crime, D.C. sits in the middle of the pack with a rate of 4.2 property crimes per year per 100 adults, or 28,229 total crimes in one year. When it comes to violent crime, D.C. ranked 12th-best accounting for its size, with 7,112 violent crimes reported in all. D.C. did have one of the lowest rates of fatal car accidents, however.
Chicago ranked 38th safest of 50 cities. Across the 50 largest cities, Chicago had the fourth-worst violent crime rate, with an estimated 3.2 people per 100 experiencing a violent crime each year (86,506 total crimes reported). Property crime was also worse than average, with an estimated 6.1 incidents per 100 adults (163,211 total). Excessive drinking was another problem area, with 21.5% of adults qualifying.
SmartAsset
Safest Cities in the United States
50 of the largest U.S. cities were ranked on five safety metrics on a per-capita basis: violent crime, property crime, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths, and excessive drinking. Per capita measures are based on the number of adults aged 18 or older.
San Jose, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0053
Violent crimes reported: 5,185
Property crime per capita: 0.0265
Property crimes reported: 25,715
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 6.9
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 17.4
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.80%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,775
Median household income: $141,565
Los Angeles, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0082
Violent crimes reported: 31,303
Property crime per capita: 0.0286
Property crimes reported: 109,285
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 9.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 23.0
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.43%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,055
Median household income: $80,366
Fort Worth, Texas
Violent crime per capita: 0.0137
Violent crimes reported: 13,352
Property crime per capita: 0.0349
Property crimes reported: 34,136
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 10.8
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 17.9
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.02%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,489
Median household income: $76,602
Omaha, Nebraska
Violent crime per capita: 0.0045
Violent crimes reported: 2,196
Property crime per capita: 0.0376
Property crimes reported: 18,190
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 8.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 17.1
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 21.31%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,249
Median household income: $72,708
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Violent crime per capita: 0.0121
Violent crimes reported: 5,503
Property crime per capita: 0.0284
Property crimes reported: 12,869
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 6.8
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 25.4
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 20.80%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,704
Median household income: $90,685
Las Vegas, Nevada
Violent crime per capita: 0.0048
Violent crimes reported: 3,173
Property crime per capita: 0.0321
Property crimes reported: 21,226
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 10.4
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 28.0
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.26%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,452
Median household income: $70,723
Arlington, Texas
Violent crime per capita: 0.0206
Violent crimes reported: 8,214
Property crime per capita: 0.0359
Property crimes reported: 14,318
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 10.8
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 17.9
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.02%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,420
Median household income: $73,519
El Paso, Texas
Violent crime per capita: 0.0154
Violent crimes reported: 10,425
Property crime per capita: 0.0271
Property crimes reported: 18,431
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 11.9
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 16.7
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.72%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,044
Median household income: $58,734
Charlotte, North Carolina
Violent crime per capita: 0.0075
Violent crimes reported: 6,801
Property crime per capita: 0.0385
Property crimes reported: 35,113
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 9.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 23.4
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 20.83%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,487
Median household income: $78,438
Raleigh, North Carolina
Violent crime per capita: 0.0191
Violent crimes reported: 9,207
Property crime per capita: 0.0365
Property crimes reported: 17,600
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 7.9
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 19.5
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 20.51%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,487
Median household income: $82,424
Long Beach, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0149
Violent crimes reported: 6,676
Property crime per capita: 0.0418
Property crimes reported: 18,785
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 9.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 23.0
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.43%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,890
Median household income: $83,969
Miami, Florida
Violent crime per capita: 0.0151
Violent crimes reported: 6,901
Property crime per capita: 0.0410
Property crimes reported: 18,679
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 12.2
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 13.8
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.96%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,666
Median household income: $59,390
San Diego, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0093
Violent crimes reported: 12,948
Property crime per capita: 0.0265
Property crimes reported: 36,751
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 8.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 27.7
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 23.03%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,308
Median household income: $104,321
Phoenix, Arizona
Violent crime per capita: 0.0079
Violent crimes reported: 13,048
Property crime per capita: 0.0251
Property crimes reported: 41,486
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 12.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 36.6
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.68%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,430
Median household income: $77,041
Sacramento, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0194
Violent crimes reported: 10,218
Property crime per capita: 0.0414
Property crimes reported: 21,813
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 12.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 28.5
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.18%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,752
Median household income: $83,753
Atlanta, Georgia
Violent crime per capita: 0.0156
Violent crimes reported: 7,955
Property crime per capita: 0.0573
Property crimes reported: 29,278
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 11.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 24.2
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.86%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,695
Median household income: $81,938
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Violent crime per capita: 0.0172
Violent crimes reported: 12,109
Property crime per capita: 0.0481
Property crimes reported: 33,794
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 14.0
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 27.2
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.65%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,133
Median household income: $66,702
Dallas, Texas
Violent crime per capita: 0.0204
Violent crimes reported: 26,599
Property crime per capita: 0.0533
Property crimes reported: 69,491
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 12.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 20.3
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.72%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,409
Median household income: $67,760
Boston, Massachusetts
Violent crime per capita: 0.0240
Violent crimes reported: 15,627
Property crime per capita: 0.0351
Property crimes reported: 22,894
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 4.4
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 42.1
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 21.06%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,176
Median household income: $94,755
Tucson, Arizona
Violent crime per capita: 0.0059
Violent crimes reported: 3,205
Property crime per capita: 0.0294
Property crimes reported: 16,105
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 14.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 42.5
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.10%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,076
Median household income: $54,546
Mesa, Arizona
Violent crime per capita: 0.0167
Violent crimes reported: 8,559
Property crime per capita: 0.0261
Property crimes reported: 13,353
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 12.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 36.6
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.68%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,404
Median household income: $78,779
Seattle, Washington
Violent crime per capita: 0.0178
Violent crimes reported: 13,423
Property crime per capita: 0.0709
Property crimes reported: 53,553
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 5.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 30.6
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 20.35%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,220
Median household income: $121,984
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Violent crime per capita: 0.0310
Violent crimes reported: 12,754
Property crime per capita: 0.0542
Property crimes reported: 22,276
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 13.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 32.2
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 14.34%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,027
Median household income: $58,407
Houston, Texas
Violent crime per capita: 0.0289
Violent crimes reported: 66,820
Property crime per capita: 0.0631
Property crimes reported: 145,839
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 11.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 21.4
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.41%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,316
Median household income: $62,894
New York, New York
Violent crime per capita: 0.0269
Violent crimes reported: 221,838
Property crime per capita: 0.0369
Property crimes reported: 305,083
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 2.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 29.3
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 25.05%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,837
Median household income: $79,713
Fresno, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0214
Violent crimes reported: 11,681
Property crime per capita: 0.0526
Property crimes reported: 28,680
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 17.8
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 19.6
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.10%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,391
Median household income: $66,804
Jacksonville, Florida
Violent crime per capita: 0.0072
Violent crimes reported: 7,063
Property crime per capita: 0.0264
Property crimes reported: 26,036
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 16.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 52.9
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.63%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,324
Median household income: $66,981
Austin, Texas
Violent crime per capita: 0.0189
Violent crimes reported: 18,517
Property crime per capita: 0.0470
Property crimes reported: 46,028
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 10.1
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 20.9
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 23.83%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,747
Median household income: $91,461
San Antonio, Texas
Violent crime per capita: 0.0225
Violent crimes reported: 33,617
Property crime per capita: 0.0754
Property crimes reported: 112,794
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 11.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 18.3
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.98%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,235
Median household income: $62,917
Tampa, Florida
Violent crime per capita: 0.0186
Violent crimes reported: 7,503
Property crime per capita: 0.0274
Property crimes reported: 11,041
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 14.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 35.6
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 21.36%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,553
Median household income: $71,302
Louisville, Kentucky
Violent crime per capita: 0.0083
Violent crimes reported: 5,159
Property crime per capita: 0.0388
Property crimes reported: 24,183
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 14.0
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 70.6
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.17%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,118
Median household income: $64,731
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Violent crime per capita: 0.0134
Violent crimes reported: 6,570
Property crime per capita: 0.0592
Property crimes reported: 28,935
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 14.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 44.7
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.83%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,592
Median household income: $83,198
Baltimore, Maryland
Violent crime per capita: 0.0291
Violent crimes reported: 16,422
Property crime per capita: 0.0676
Property crimes reported: 38,204
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 9.1
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 50.9
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.44%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,333
Median household income: $59,623
Columbus, Ohio
Violent crime per capita: 0.0187
Violent crimes reported: 17,034
Property crime per capita: 0.0449
Property crimes reported: 40,836
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 10.2
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 61.2
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.92%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,243
Median household income: $65,327
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Violent crime per capita: 0.0248
Violent crimes reported: 10,534
Property crime per capita: 0.0778
Property crimes reported: 33,057
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 5.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 32.3
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 23.60%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,513
Median household income: $80,269
Oakland, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0356
Violent crimes reported: 15,561
Property crime per capita: 0.1000
Property crimes reported: 43,663
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 6.8
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 19.9
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 20.41%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,164
Median household income: $97,369
San Francisco, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0071
Violent crimes reported: 5,712
Property crime per capita: 0.0560
Property crimes reported: 45,322
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 4.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 63.3
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 24.73%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,620
Median household income: $141,446
Chicago, Illinois
Violent crime per capita: 0.0325
Violent crimes reported: 86,506
Property crime per capita: 0.0613
Property crimes reported: 163,211
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 7.7
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 39.2
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 21.49%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,502
Median household income: $75,134
Indianapolis, Indiana
Violent crime per capita: 0.0106
Violent crimes reported: 9,232
Property crime per capita: 0.0363
Property crimes reported: 31,706
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 14.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 69.7
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.23%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,124
Median household income: $62,995
Washington, DC
Violent crime per capita: 0.0105
Violent crimes reported: 7,112
Property crime per capita: 0.0416
Property crimes reported: 28,229
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 6.4
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 64.5
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 25.22%
Median monthly housing costs: $2,103
Median household income: $106,287
Bakersfield, California
Violent crime per capita: 0.0150
Violent crimes reported: 6,211
Property crime per capita: 0.0462
Property crimes reported: 19,083
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 19.8
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 49.1
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.68%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,540
Median household income: $77,397
Nashville, Tennessee
Violent crime per capita: 0.0114
Violent crimes reported: 7,875
Property crime per capita: 0.0459
Property crimes reported: 31,541
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 13.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 71.5
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.41%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,471
Median household income: $75,197
Portland, Oregon
Violent crime per capita: 0.0157
Violent crimes reported: 9,867
Property crime per capita: 0.0827
Property crimes reported: 52,160
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 8.8
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 43.0
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 23.24%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,771
Median household income: $88,792
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Violent crime per capita: 0.0268
Violent crimes reported: 15,046
Property crime per capita: 0.0408
Property crimes reported: 22,911
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 10.9
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 63.2
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 21.95%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,082
Median household income: $51,888
Kansas City, Missouri
Violent crime per capita: 0.0296
Violent crimes reported: 15,094
Property crime per capita: 0.0713
Property crimes reported: 36,386
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 14.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 34.5
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 21.14%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,205
Median household income: $67,449
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Violent crime per capita: 0.0223
Violent crimes reported: 34,556
Property crime per capita: 0.0813
Property crimes reported: 125,986
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 8.6
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 75.4
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.99%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,233
Median household income: $60,698
Denver, Colorado
Violent crime per capita: 0.0205
Violent crimes reported: 14,710
Property crime per capita: 0.0772
Property crimes reported: 55,304
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 10.4
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 44.7
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 26.34%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,839
Median household income: $91,681
Detroit, Michigan
Violent crime per capita: 0.0469
Violent crimes reported: 29,684
Property crime per capita: 0.0845
Property crimes reported: 53,490
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 11.1
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 49.3
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.78%
Median monthly housing costs: $868
Median household income: $39,575
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Violent crime per capita: 0.0271
Violent crimes reported: 15,182
Property crime per capita: 0.0792
Property crimes reported: 44,350
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 17.0
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 62.1
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.87%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,149
Median household income: $65,604
Memphis, Tennessee
Violent crime per capita: 0.0616
Violent crimes reported: 38,083
Property crime per capita: 0.1286
Property crimes reported: 79,561
Traffic deaths per 100,000 people: 21.5
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people: 57.5
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.52%
Median monthly housing costs: $1,087
Median household income: $51,211
Data and Methodology
To determine the safest cities, SmartAsset compared data for 50 of the largest U.S. cities by population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023), ranking them by the following metrics:
Violent crime rate. The number of crimes against persons per capita (residents aged 18+). Data comes from the FBI’s 2023 Uniform Crime Reporting Database; missing crime data was supplemented by NeighborhoodScout.com.
Property crime rate. The number of property crimes per capita (residents aged 18+). Data comes from the FBI’s 2023 Uniform Crime Reporting Database; missing crime data was supplemented by NeighborhoodScout.com
Vehicular mortality rate. The number of deaths due to traffic accidents per 100,000 residents. Data is from the 2025 County Health Rankings.
Drug poisoning mortality rate. The number of drug poisoning deaths per 100,000 residents. Data is from the 2025 County Health Rankings.
Percentage of the population engaging in excessive drinking. The percentage of adults who report binge or heavy drinking. Data is from the 2025 County Health Rankings.
The vehicular mortality rate, drug poisoning mortality rate and percentage of the population engaging in excessive drinking are all measured at the county level. Violent and property crime rates are at the city level.
Housing affordability and local incomes were also considered:
Median monthly housing costs. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 5-year American Community Survey from 2023.
Median household income. Data comes from the Census Bureau’s 5-year American Community Survey from 2023.
This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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