Cities in the US with the Lowest Crime Rates (Updated 2025)

Overview

This article explains how safety rankings are built, which sources are most reliable, and which cities in the US have the lowest crime rates based on recent public data.

We use trusted sources such as the FBI Crime Data Explorer, U.S. News & World Report, WalletHub, MoneyGeek, and SafeWise. Each source measures “safety” in a different way. Where needed, we quote the original text and link back with a citation.

Why “lowest crime rate” is not always the same as “safest”

Crime rate is the number of crimes reported to police divided by the population. Lower numbers are good. But this is not the whole story. Some cities report more completely than others. Some places are very good at recording even small incidents. That can make their numbers look “worse” even if daily life feels safe.

In 2023, the FBI said violent crime decreased compared with 2022. This is a strong national trend and it helps many cities. The FBI press release put it clearly: “national violent crime decreased an estimated 3.0% in 2023 compared to 2022.” We quote it here because it is the best single-line summary of last year’s change. Federal Bureau of Investigation

At the same time, another federal office—the Bureau of Justice Statistics—reported that homicide victimization fell to 5.9 per 100,000 in 2023, down from 6.7 in 2022. This adds more confidence that safety has improved in many places.

The main sources you should know

FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE) : This is the core federal system for crime known to law enforcement. It uses NIBRS reporting, which continues to expand across police agencies. If you want the technical definition of each crime and how rates are calculated, the CDE is the first stop.

U.S. News & World Report (Safest Places to Live in the U.S. 2025–2026) : This ranking mixes crime rates with other quality-of-life indicators to pick safe metro areas and suburbs. In 2025–2026, places like Johns Creek (GA), Centreville (VA), Newton (MA), and Rochester Hills (MI) score very well. This is helpful when you are searching for safest places to live in USA for families. US News Real Estate

WalletHub (Safest Cities in America 2025) : WalletHub ranks big and mid-size cities using more than crime. It includes financial safety, road safety, and disaster risk. Cities such as South Burlington (VT), Casper (WY), Warwick (RI), Burlington (VT), and Boise (ID) often perform well. This broader view helps readers who care about natural disaster risk as well as crime. WalletHub

MoneyGeek (Safest Cities and Towns) : MoneyGeek uses a crime cost per capita method. It shows where the cost of violent and property crimes is lowest for each resident. In early 2025, Ramapo Town (NY), Frisco (TX), Irvine (CA), Fishers (IN), and Lakewood Township (NJ) ranked at the top among cities over 100,000 people. There is also a 2025 study of small cities and towns that names Columbus, Indiana as the safest small city. This is very useful when you look for safest small towns in the US.

SafeWise (Safest Cities in Every State / 100 Safest Cities) : SafeWise builds annual lists from FBI numbers and local reporting. In 2025, it highlighted Campton Hills, IL as the safest city nationwide and shows a state-by-state winner list. This format gives fast answers to cities in the US with lowest crime rates within each state.

What each source measures and why this matters?

The word “safest” can mean different things in different lists. Some lists focus on violent and property crime only. Others include financial safety, road safety, or emergency preparedness. This is why the top 10 can look different from site to site.

Below is a compact table that explains the method differences. This is not a full list of every metric, but shows the core idea. Use it to match your needs with the right ranking.

National trend in 2023–2025: the context behind city rankings

Several crime indicators improved in 2023. The FBI said violent crime decreased about 3%, while BJS reported homicide victimization fell to 5.9 per 100,000. Cities use these national trends and their own local programs to drive change.

A current example is Baltimore, which saw homicides reach historic lows after focused community strategies and targeted enforcement. This is not a city “at the top” of the safest lists yet, but it shows what is possible when interventions are consistent and well-funded. As city results improve, rankings change.

Cities with very low crime impact according to recent studies

This section is designed for people who need a fast shortlist of cities in the US with lowest crime rates or lowest crime rates in America for 2025. It combines the top of MoneyGeek, U.S. News, WalletHub, and SafeWise to show names that repeat across lists. It does not replace the original rankings. It is a guide to where to start your deeper research.

• Ramapo Town, New York (Rockland County) : The MoneyGeek leader for 2025 among cities over 100,000, based on lowest crime cost per capita. Families like its schools and quiet neighborhoods.

• Frisco, Texas : Often top 5 on MoneyGeek and strong among family-friendly lists; new development, good infrastructure, and low violent crime rates.

• Irvine, California : Long-time safety leader with planned neighborhoods and strong community policing. MoneyGeek and other lists keep Irvine near the top.

• Fishers, Indiana : High rank on both MoneyGeek and U.S. News (metro/suburban quality of life + low crime).

• Johns Creek, Georgia : U.S. News’ safest places list puts it at or near the top for 2025–2026; great for safest cities in the US to raise a family.

• South Burlington, Vermont : WalletHub’s top set for 2025; very strong on personal safety and disaster risk.

• Campton Hills, Illinois : SafeWise national #1 for 2025; tiny violent and property crime numbers recorded. This is useful if you seek safest small towns in the US.

• Columbus, Indiana (small city) : MoneyGeek’s safest small city in 2025 among small-city cohort. Good jobs base and low per-resident crime cost.

Quoted line from FBI : “National violent crime decreased an estimated 3.0% in 2023 compared to 2022.” Keep this in mind when you compare 2023 to 2022 city figures.

What “family safety” really means in a city search?

If your goal is the safest places to live in USA for families, think about these points:

• Schools and routes to school : A safe city for kids has good crossings, bus routes, and after-school supervision.

• Night transport and parks : Families need lighting, park patrols, and easy access to urgent care.

• Crime types : Low violent crime is key, but property crime also matters for peace of mind.

• Disaster risk : Consider flood zones, wildfire risk, and hurricane history. WalletHub and U.S. News include some of these factors; FBI crime numbers alone will not.

These points help you choose between places that all show low crime. They also help you decide between a large city and a suburb. This is important when you weigh major US cities with lowest crime rates against smaller towns.

City notes and micro-profiles (what stands out in 2025)

• Ramapo Town, NY (greater New York region) : Ramapo stands out for low crime cost per resident. It offers quiet neighborhoods and access to New York’s job market. This balance is why it ranks high on “10 safest cities in the United States” style lists built on cost metrics.

• Frisco, TX (Dallas–Fort Worth area) : Frisco’s new infrastructure, family amenities, and strong police-community programs support low crime impact. It appeals to families who want schools and sports facilities in one place. It is a common choice for safest cities in the US to raise a family.

• Irvine, CA (Orange County) : Irvine is known for master-planned communities, bike paths, and steady crime prevention. It performs well year after year. That consistency matters when you want the lowest crime rates in America across a long period.

• South Burlington & Burlington, VT : Both cities often score well for personal safety and disaster readiness. Vermont towns also benefit from strong community ties and quick emergency response. These two names appear often in “lowest crime rate in United States” discussions for small and mid-size cities.

• Johns Creek, GA (Atlanta metro) : U.S. News places this suburb at or near the top of its “safest places to live” list for 2025–2026. It blends low crime, strong schools, and medical access. If you are shortlisting safest places to live in USA for families, add Johns Creek.

• Campton Hills, IL (Chicago region) : SafeWise lists Campton Hills as America’s safest city in 2025. If your search is “safest small towns in the US,” this is a clear reference point. The SafeWise method is traditional: violent and property crime from FBI data.

• Columbus, IN (small city leader) : MoneyGeek identifies Columbus as the safest small city. It is also a manufacturing and design hub, giving it economic strength with safety. This helps both families and seniors.

Choosing between a big city and a suburb

Some readers only want major US cities with lowest crime rates. Others want a calm suburb. Here is a simple way to decide:

• Big city advantages : jobs, transit, hospitals, varied housing.

• Big city trade-offs : more nightlife and large events can bring higher property crime, even if violent crime is low in most neighborhoods.

• Suburb advantages : lower crime rate per resident, quieter streets, and schools close to home.

• Suburb trade-offs : longer commutes, fewer late-night options, and sometimes higher housing cost per square foot in “top” suburbs.

WalletHub and U.S. News lists are useful for both types. MoneyGeek is helpful if you want a dollar value for the impact of crime. SafeWise is best if you want “classic” crime rates only. Use all four to build a fair view.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is the top 10 safest city in the US?
There is no single official list, but cross-referencing 2025 sources shows frequent names like Ramapo Town (NY), Frisco (TX), Irvine (CA), Fishers (IN), Johns Creek (GA), South Burlington (VT), Warwick (RI), Burlington (VT), Boise (ID), and Campton Hills (IL)—noting that Campton Hills is a small city. Each list uses a different method. Check which method fits your needs.

Where is the lowest crime rate in America?
For 2025, SafeWise highlights Campton Hills, IL as #1 on its Top 100 list. MoneyGeek’s small-city study points to Columbus, IN among small cities, and its large-city list puts Ramapo Town, NY at #1. Each answer is “correct” inside its method.

What are the 50 safest cities in America?
SafeWise publishes long lists (Top 100). WalletHub has a 180+ city index for 2025. Use those for a wide view; then confirm details with FBI CDE.

What is the safest city in the US 2025?
The answer changes by method. A reasonable summary is: Ramapo Town (NY) by MoneyGeek among large cities, Campton Hills (IL) by SafeWise overall, South Burlington (VT) by WalletHub’s composite, and Johns Creek (GA) by U.S. News for places to live.

How to verify a city you like (simple 5-step checklist)

• Open the FBI Crime Data Explorer and look up the city or county to see recent violent and property crime trends. If the city is small, check the county too.

• Read at least two rankings (for example, MoneyGeek and U.S. News) to see if the city is strong in both crime and family life.

• Search local police dashboards for monthly updates. Many departments post crime maps and response times.

• Check disaster maps (flood, wildfire, hurricane) if you are moving from abroad. WalletHub includes some of this, but local maps give detail.

• Visit at different times (evening, weekend). Safe feeling on the street is also a real data point.