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
- See this year’s Top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2020’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2019’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2018’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2017’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2016’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2015’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2014’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2013’s top 100 Safest Cities
- See 2012’s top 100 Safest Cities