A view of Memphis, Tennessee, which ranks last in a new report on the safest cities in the U.S. What are the safest places in the U.S.? A new report has the answers. MoneyGeek has just issued its fifth annual report on
the safest cities in America , analyzing FBI crime data alongside the economic costs associated with crime, to give a comprehensive look at urban safety. You can compare the results to
last year’s report . “Cities are constantly evolving, and having the most up-to-date information helps readers understand where places are safer and how communities respond to crime over time,” Anja Solum, data journalism manager at MoneyGeek, told me in an interview. Additionally, coming off an election year in which
crime was a hot-button issue across political parties, the report sheds light on how safety concerns influence public policy and economic stability. “This year’s report offers timely insights into crime patterns and their impact on local economies and residents,” says Solum. “It also provides context for ongoing debates about public safety and policy decisions.” Why is this list useful for travelers? “Travelers exploring new areas can use this crime analysis to make informed decisions and stay prepared when visiting popular destinations,” says Solum. Solum uses Memphis, Tennessee as an example. “Memphis—famous for its rich musical heritage and appeal to music lovers worldwide—was ranked the least safe medium-large city this year,” says Solum. “The Home of the Blues moved from fifth-worst to worst, surpassing Birmingham, Alabama, and seeing a $2,500 increase in the cost of crime per capita. While Memphis wasn’t particularly safe before, having up-to-date information helps travelers take appropriate precautions, plan their visits confidently and even discover safer nearby areas to explore without missing out on what makes these destinations unique.”
Safest Cities in the U.S.: Methodology
To determine the rankings, MoneyGeek evaluated 292 cities with populations over 100,000, comparing factors such as violent and property crime rates, road safety and financial stability. By integrating these figures with research on the societal costs of crime, the report calculated a per capita cost of crime for each city. This metric accounts for both the frequency and severity of crimes, offering a more nuanced understanding of safety than traditional crime rates. “This metric goes beyond basic crime rates, offering insights into the real-world effects of crime,” says Solum. “By looking at both the frequency and severity of crimes, we can better understand how communities are impacted.” The methodology also considers broader safety factors, including road safety, financial stability and vulnerability to natural disasters. These additional metrics help provide a more comprehensive picture of safety, making the report useful whether you’re traveling or looking for a new place to live. “This year’s rankings reflect not just the crime rates themselves, but also the economic toll they take on individuals and society,” says Solum. “The cost of crime is a tangible way to understand the broader implications of safety.”
Safest Cities in The U.S.: The Safest City
For 2025, Ramapo Town—a community located in Rockland County, New York—leads the list as safest city in America. With a crime cost per capita of just $271, Ramapo Town ranks as the safest city in the U.S. thanks to its low rates of violent and property crimes. Ramapo Town is set in New York’s lower Hudson Valley and encompasses 15 villages and hamlets including Suffern (the jumping-off spot for Harriman State Park), Sloatsburg (home to the historic Jacob Sloat House), Airmont, Chestnut Ridge and more. “Ramapo Town, New York, ranks as the safest city due to its very low violent crime and property crime rates. While it doesn’t have the lowest violent crime rate for its size, it does offer substantially lower property crime rates compared to similar-sized cities,” says Solum. “It’s also worth noting that Ramapo Town is a newcomer this year, as it didn’t have available data in last year’s analysis.” Second on the list is Frisco, Texas (at $287 per capita), which has a crime cost per capita of just $287. This fast-growing city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area has invested heavily in community safety, resulting in low crime rates and a strong sense of security among residents. The biggest leap this year is Independence, Missouri, which went from No. 194 to No. 100.
Safest Cities in The U.S.: The Safest Large Cities
MoneyGeek also ranked the safest large cities, looking at places with populations over 300,000. Irvine, California, leads this list, with a crime cost per capita of $324, making it not only the safest large city but also the third safest city overall. A downtown skyline view of Irvine, California, the safest large city in the U.S. “Irvine, California, moved up three spots from last year and is the safest large city due to a drop in the cost of crime per capita,” says Solum. “Even while per capita crime rates rose slightly, declines in murder, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft offenses reported kept the overall cost of crime to society lower.” Irvine is followed by Honolulu, Hawaii (at $508 per capita) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (at $730 per capita).
Safest Cities in The U.S.: Why Crime Costs Matter
While you might not think of a personal finance technology site as a source for this kind of information, translating crime stats into economic terms levels the playing field and serves as a tangible measure of how crime affects individuals and communities. “The cost of crime makes the impact of crime more tangible, translating safety concerns into measurable economic and social effects. It goes beyond the individual victims and demonstrates how entire communities can be impacted,” says Solum. “For instance, crime can drive up public spending on law enforcement, courts, and emergency services—costs that often fall on residents and businesses. High-crime areas may also see lower property values and reduced tourism, which can strain local economies.” Another takeaway from MoneyGeek’s report is that the cost of crime per capita has decreased. In 2023 (the most recent year of available data), the average cost of crime per capita in U.S. cities was $2,178, with violent crime accounting for the majority of these costs. The was a slight drop from the previous year when it was $2,221. This decline reflects
national trends , as both violent and property crime rates have also been falling.“On average, across the cities that qualified for analysis this year and last, the cost of crime went down by $9,” says Solum. “More cities had violent crime and property crime per capita declines than those with increases.
National data from the FBI suggests similar trends, as well.” Read on to see the lists of the safest cities in the U.S. and the safest large cities. You can find the list of the most unsafe cities in the U.S. in MoneyGeek’s
full report , which also offers other detailed findings. Frisco Commons Park in Frisco, Texas, the second safest city in the U.S.
Ranked: The 15 Safest Cities in America
These are the safest cities in the U.S. with a population over 100,000. Honolulu, Hawaii is the second safest large city in America.
Ranked: The 15 Safest Large Cities in America
These are the safest cities in the U.S. with a population over 100,000. MORE FROM FORBES
