Home > Blog

NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2021

Jan 2, 2021 | by: Dr. Andrew Schiller | Crime
NeighborhoodScout’s Safest Cities in America – 2021

2021 Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.

All but two of this year’s top 100 safest cities (Rexburg, Idaho and New Milford, CT) are in metropolitan America.  Many of the safest cities are suburban areas big enough to be included in our study, yet only miles from the major city nearby.  Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, many people are looking to move to the suburbs from the crowded city.  Some locations that make up the list this year are neighboring towns and cities that offer the best of both worlds: safe from crime plus access to good jobs, quality schools and big city conveniences.

NeighborhoodScout’s research reveals twenty-three of America’s 100 safest cities are in Massachusetts: twenty-one in the Boston metro area and two in the Worcester metro.  Four of these Massachusetts communities make it into the exclusive top 10.  New England is one of the safest regions in the country overall; thirty-six of the safest cities are in the New England states.

Franklin, MA, a quaint town conveniently located between Boston, Worcester and Providence is the safest city in America for 2021.  The chances of becoming a victim of crime in Franklin is 1 in 524.  Franklin is recognized as home to the very first public library in the Unites States.  This library, founded in 1790, still houses books donated by Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

Our research reveals the 100 safest cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the total number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents.  Crimes include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.  Data used for this research are the number of total crimes reported to have occurred in each city, and the population of each city.

Based on the latest national data available at the time of publication, representing calendar year 2019 and released in September 2020, this report reveals interesting patterns about safety from crime in America.

Click on any city in the list below to see a full crime report and neighborhood crime map.

 

For more information, see our FAQ on how we rank the safest cities in America.

1. Franklin, MA

  • Population: 34,087
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 1.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 524
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

2. Long Beach, NY

  • Population: 33,454
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 389
  • Major City Nearby: New York

3. Milton, MA

  • Population: 27,593
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 367
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

4. Zionsville, IN

  • Population: 28,357
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 2.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 345
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

5. Lexington, MA

  • Population: 33,132
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 331
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

6. Shrewsbury, MA

  • Population: 38,526
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 3.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 296
  • Major City Nearby: Worcester

7. Bergenfield, NJ

  • Population: 27,327
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 296
  • Major City Nearby: New York

8. Muskego, WI

  • Population: 25,127
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 279
  • Major City Nearby: Milwaukee

9. North Ridgeville, OH

  • Population: 34,392
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents):3.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 275
  • Major City Nearby: Cleveland

10. Marshfield, MA

  • Population: 25,967
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 249
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

11. Rexburg, ID

  • Population: 29,400
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 231
  • Major City Nearby: N/A

12. Lake in the Hills, IL

  • Population: 28,634
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 230
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

13. Florence, AZ

  • Population: 27,422
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 230
  • Major City Nearby: Phoenix

14. Billerica, MA

  • Population: 43,367
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 217
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

15. Arlington, MA

  • Population: 45,531
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 217
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

16. North Royalton, OH

  • Population: 30,068
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 214
  • Major City Nearby: Cleveland

17. Cliffside Park, NJ

  • Population: 28,133
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 212
  • Major City Nearby: New York

18. Needham, MA

  • Population: 31,388
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 212
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

19. Reading, MA

  • Population: 25,400
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 206
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

20. Independence, KY

  • Population: 28,521
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 4.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 205
  • Major City Nearby: Cincinnati

21. Westfield, NJ

  • Population: 29,512
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 198
  • Major City Nearby: New York

22. Bartlett, IL

  • Population: 40,647
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 188
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

23. Palatine, IL

  • Population: 67,482
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 181
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

24. Dracut, MA

  • Population: 31,634
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 178
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

25. Caledonia, WI

  • Population: 25,277
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 170
  • Major City Nearby: Racine

26. Weston, FL

  • /fl/weston/crimePopulation: 71,166
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 170
  • Major City Nearby: Miami

27. Simsbury, CT

  • Population: 25,395
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 170
  • Major City Nearby: Hartford

28. Brunswick, OH

  • Population: 34,880
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 5.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 169
  • Major City Nearby: Cleveland

29. Andover, MA

  • Population: 36,356
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 162
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

30. Ridgewood, NJ

  • Population: 25,056
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 158
  • Major City Nearby: New York

31. Beverly, MA

  • Population: 42,174
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 155
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

32. Rahway, NJ

  • Population: 29,895
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 154
  • Major City Nearby: New York

33. Colleyville, TX

  • Population: 27.091
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 154
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

34. Sammamish, WA

  • Population: 65,892
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 153
  • Major City Nearby: Seattle

35. Wellesley, MA

  • Population: 28,670
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 151
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

36. Newton, MA

  • Population: 88,414
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 151
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

37. Rosemount, MN

  • Population: 25,207
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 150
  • Major City Nearby: Minneapolis

38. Harrison, NY

  • Population: 28,943
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 150
  • Major City Nearby: New York

39. Mason, OH

  • Population: 33,870
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 148
  • Major City Nearby: Cincinnati

40. Bridgewater, MA

  • Population: 27,619
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 148
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

41. Rochester Hills, MI

  • Population: 74,516
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 145
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

42. North Andover, MA

  • Population: 31,188
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 145
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

43. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

  • Population: 47,896
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 144
  • Major City Nearby: Los Angeles

44. Westport, CT

  • Population: 28,491
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 144
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

45. Wallingford, CT

  • Population: 44,326
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 143
  • Major City Nearby: New Haven

46. Plainfield, IL

  • Population: 44,308
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 6.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 143
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

47. Syracuse, UT

  • Population: 31,458
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 142
  • Major City Nearby: Ogden

48. Friendswood, TX

  • Population: 40,290
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 138
  • Major City Nearby: Houston

49. Belmont, MA

  • Population: 26,116
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 138
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

50. Moorpark, CA

  • Population: 36,375
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137
  • Major City Nearby: Oxnard

51. Londonderry, NH

  • Population: 26,490
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 137
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

52. New Milford, CT

  • Population: 26,805
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 136
  • Major City Nearby: N/A

53. Gloucester, MA

  • Population: 30,430
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 136
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

54. Hilliard, OH

  • Population: 36,534
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 136
  • Major City Nearby: Columbus

55. Holly Springs, NC

  • Population: 37,812
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 134
  • Major City Nearby: Raleigh

56. Melrose, MA

  • Population: 28,016
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 134
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

57. Fair Lawn, NJ

  • Population: 32,896
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.4
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 133
  • Major City Nearby: New York

58. Buffalo Grove, IL

  • Population: 40,494
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 133
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

59. Milford, MA

  • Population: 29,101
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 132
  • Major City Nearby: Worcester

60. Wakefield, MA

  • Population: 27,045
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 131
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

61. Cheshire, CT

  • Population: 28,937
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 131
  • Major City Nearby: New Haven

62. St. Charles, IL

  • Population: 32,887
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

63. Hanover Park, IL

  • Population: 37,426
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

64. Milton, GA

  • Population: 39,587
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Atlanta

65. North Providence, RI

  • Population: 32,686
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

66. Sayreville, NJ

  • Population: 44,173
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 127
  • Major City Nearby: New York

67. Wylie, TX

  • Population: 53,067
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 127
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

68. Greenwich, CT

  • Population: 62,840
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 127
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

69. Cumberland, RI

  • Population: 35,263
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

70. Winter Springs, FL

  • Population: 37,312
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 129
  • Major City Nearby: Orlando

71. Port Chester, NY

  • Population: 29,163
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: New York

72. Mundelein, IL

  • Population: 31,051
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

73. Shelton, CT

  • Population: 41,129
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 126
  • Major City Nearby: Bridgeport

74. Keller, TX

  • Population: 47,213
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 125
  • Major City Nearby: Dallas

75. Merrimack, NH

  • Population: 26,490
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 7.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 125
  • Major City Nearby: Manchester

76. Highland Park, IL

  • Population: 29,515
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 125
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

77. Easton, MA

  • Population: 25,105
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 124
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

78. South Kingston, RI

  • Population: 30,348
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Providence

79. Westfield, IN

  • Population: 43,649
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 123
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

80. Soledad, CA

  • Population: 25,999
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 122
  • Major City Nearby: Salinas

81. Bella Vista, AR

  • Population: 28,872
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 121
  • Major City Nearby: Fayetteville

82. Fishers, IN

  • Population: 95,310
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 121
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

83. Edwardsville, IL

  • Population: 25,233
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120
  • Major City Nearby: St. Louis

84. Spanish Fork, UT

  • Population: 40,913
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120
  • Major City Nearby: Provo

85. Carmel, IN

  • Population: 101,068
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.2
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120
  • Major City Nearby: Indianapolis

86. Oviedo, FL

  • Population: 41,860
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 120
  • Major City Nearby: Orlando

87. Danville, CA

  • Population: 44,510
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.3
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 119
  • Major City Nearby: San Francisco

88. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

  • Population: 41,530
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 117
  • Major City Nearby: Los Angeles

89. Park Ridge, IL

  • Population: 36,950
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.5
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 116
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

90. Royal Oak, MI

  • Population: 59,277
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: Detroit

91. Saratoga, CA

  • Population: 30,153
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.6
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 115
  • Major City Nearby: San Jose

92. Wilmette, IL

  • Population: 27,089
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 114
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

93. Arlington Heights, IL

  • Population: 74,760
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.7
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 114
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

94. Lake Forest, CA

  • Population: 85,531
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.8
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 112
  • Major City Nearby: Los Angeles

95. Norwood, MA

  • Population: 29,725
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 112
  • Major City Nearby: Boston

96. Hudson, NH

  • Population: 25,619
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 8.9
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 111
  • Major City Nearby: Manchester

97. Lakeville, MN

  • Population: 67,317
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.0
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 110
  • Major City Nearby: Minneapolis

98. Fort Lee, NJ

  • Population: 38,605
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 109
  • Major City Nearby: New York

99. Lockport, IL

  • Population: 25,615
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 109
  • Major City Nearby: Chicago

100. Aliso Viejo, CA

  • Population: 50,887
  • Total Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents): 9.1
  • Chance of being a victim:  1 in 109
  • Major City Nearby: Los Angeles