10 Safest States in the U.S. (Updated for 2025)

Rose Morrison

Jan 21, 2025

safest states in the us

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What are the safest states in the US in 2024 and 2025? If you’re moving, this is an important question to consider. Many factors impact a state’s safety rating, such as rates of violent crimes, rates of property crime, safety for children, police presence and more. Using in-depth crime data, we’ve compiled a ranking of the top 10 safest states in the nation today. 

1. Maine

man staring at a lighthouse

According to World Population Review data, Maine is the third safest state in the US in 2024. Maine has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country, averaging 1.1 reporting incidents per 1000 residents. Its property crime averages 12.4 incidents per 1,000 people compared to a 20.7 national average and only ranks lower than Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Maine is the 12th safest state for women and the sixth safest state for LGBTQ people behind other safe states like New Hampshire. 

Interestingly, despite its low crime rate, Maine has one of the smallest police forces in the country, totaling only 2,308 officers. 

2. Vermont

Vermont is one of the safest states in the US as of 2024. It ranks in the top six states for the lowest murder, robbery, and aggravated assault rates. Crime data shows Vermont experiences 1.9 violent crimes per 1000 residents each year. It is also considered the safest state for women and one of the top states to raise a family in. Like Maine, Vermont also has a small police force—in fact, Vermont has the lowest number of police in the country, with just 1,238 officers. 

3. New Hampshire

New Hampshire is also in the top five safest states in the US today. It has a violent crime rate of 1.26 reported incidents per 1000 residents and a property crime rate of 10.11 reported incidents per 1000 residents. Unfortunately, New Hampshire ranks somewhat lower on women’s safety at only 18th place. It is among the top ten states for families in 2024, though. It has the 10th smallest police force in the country. 

4. Massachusetts

Massachusetts has one of the lowest property crime rates in the country with 10.70 reported incidents per 1000 residents. It ranks lower on violent crime, though, with 3.22 incidents per 1000 residents. It is the best state for women’s safety and families. So, Massachusetts is definitely worth considering if you’re moving and have kids, especially since it ranks number one for overall quality of life. 

5. New Jersey

new jersey

New Jersey has the fifth-lowest property crime rate and the fourth-lowest violent crime rate today, making it one of the safest states in the US. It also has the ninth-largest police force with 26,340 officers. As of 2024, New Jersey is the second safest state for women and in the top 20 states for families. So, New Jersey is definitely a good choice if you want to be in one of the nation’s safest states but don’t want to be as far north as Vermont or Maine. 

It also has a high earning potential, possibly allowing you to make a six-figure income, although it’s important to note that it comes with a higher cost of living. 

6. Rhode Island

Rhode Island might be small, but it ranks high for safety. FBI crime data shows Rhode Island averages 231 violent crimes per resident and 1,245 property crimes per resident. It ranks in the top 15 in the nation for women’s safety and is currently among the top ten states for families. 

Considering Rhode Island is the smallest state, it should come as no surprise that it has one of the smallest police forces with just 2,497 officers (although it has significantly more than some larger states, such as Alaska, Montana and Vermont). 

7. Idaho

Idaho is one of the few Midwestern states that makes the list of the top ten safest states in the country. According to the latest data, it ranks number three for lowest property crimes with just 9.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. The violent crime rate is 2.5 reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Unfortunately, Idaho is less safe for women and families, ranking 41st for women’s safety and 38th for families. 

8. Florida

Florida has numerous cities that are reportedly safe. According to U.S. News and World Report, Pensacola, Florida is the fourth safest place to live in the U.S. The general population is around 53,000 and the city has a violent crime rate of 4.16 per 1,000 residents. 

Port St. Lucie, Florida is another safe place to live with a 9.1 violent crime rate compared to the national violent crime rate of 22.7 and a 22.3 property crime rate compared to a 35.4 national crime rate. The chance of experiencing a violent crime is 1 in 868. NeighborhoodScout reports that the city is safer than 54% of U.S. cities. 

Other safe cities in Florida according to U.S. News and World Report include Lakeland, Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota. 

9. Virginia

Virginia is one of the safest states in the US today, with only 2.34 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 16.96 property crimes per 1,000 residents. That means Virginia residents have less than a 1 in 427 chance of being a victim of violent crime. It doesn’t rank quite as well for women’s safety, though, coming in at 22nd in the US. Virginia ranks 19th for raising a family. It has the 12th largest police force in the country. 

10. California

California homes

While the overall crime rate in California has increased slightly in recent years, the crime rate may still vary by city and region. There are numerous cities within California with crime rates lower than the national average, allowing you to choose from a range of safety levels. 

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office 2023 crime stats, crime rates have dropped by 16.9% in Santa Barbara, making it a safer place to live in California. Some crime rates that have decreased since 2022 include violent crimes, which have decreased from 14 incidents to 5, property crimes, which have decreased from 72 incidents to 52, and vehicle thefts, which have decreased from 6 reports to 3. 

The overall crime rate in Santa Rosa, California, is 27% lower than the national average, with violent crimes 8% lower and property crimes 30% lower. According to one study, 48% of surveyed local residents reported that there is little crime and feel safe walking alone at night. It also states that safety in different regions depends on employment rates since regions with more robust employment rates may experience decreased crime rates. 

The Top Safest States in the US in 2024 and 2025

Whether you are moving or looking for a good state for a family vacation, everyone should know what the top safest states in the US are. Eight out of the top ten are in the Northeastern region. Many of the states on this list also rank highly for women’s safety, quality of life and family-friendly amenities. 

Original Publish Date 11/28/23 – Updated 1/21/2025

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