SmartAsset Study Reveals Safest Cities in the US
*This report is guaranteed to shock a whole lot of folks and one orange person in particular. Why? Because of who’s number 1 and 2 on a new list of safe cities. With that in mind, SmartAsset‘s new report has revealed the safest major cities in the US for 2025. The study analyzed 50 of the largest American cities, based on 2023 US Census data.
Unlike traditional crime-focused rankings, this report combined violent and property crime rates with health and behavioral data. Metrics included drug overdose deaths, traffic fatalities, and binge drinking rates.
The findings highlight how safety is tied not only to crime but also to public health and lifestyle factors. For residents, investors, and families, these results provide a deeper view of urban living.
How the Safest Cities Were Ranked
The study’s methodology ranked cities using five equally weighted categories. Data was collected from FBI’s 2023 crime database, the US Census, and public health reports.
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- Violent crime rate per 100 adults
- Property crime rate per 100 adults
- Vehicular mortality rate per 100,000 residents
- Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 residents
- Excessive drinking percentage among adults
Cities were scored into a safety index, with the best performers excelling in both crime reduction and health outcomes. Affordability metrics like income and housing costs were noted but did not directly affect rankings.
Top 10 Safest Major Cities in the US for 2025
Based on SmartAsset’s data, here are the 10 safest large US cities. These metros stood out for low crime and strong public health performance.
- 1. San Jose, CA – Lowest violent and property crime rates; low overdose deaths; high income, but expensive housing.
- 2. Los Angeles, CA – Surprising rank due to very low traffic deaths despite its large population.
- 3. Fort Worth, TX – Low crime rates with affordable housing and family-friendly amenities.
- 4. Omaha, NE – Balanced metrics with low vehicular deaths and affordable living costs.
- 5. Virginia Beach, VA – Strong public safety with low violent crime rates.
- 6. Las Vegas, NV – Moderate across categories, but improvements in crime placed it high.
- 7. Arlington, TX – Low crime and low excessive drinking, boosting its safety index.
- 8. El Paso, TX – Low violent crime and affordable housing, making it ideal for families.
- 9. Charlotte, NC – Strong public health and affordable cost of living.
- 10. Raleigh, NC – Low crime and overdose rates with steady growth and livability.
Why San Jose Ranked #1 Safest City
San Jose stood out for its balanced safety across multiple categories. It posted the third-lowest violent crime rate and fifth-lowest property crime rate among major US cities.
The city also had one of the lowest drug overdose and vehicular death rates, supported by strong infrastructure and health initiatives. However, affordability remains a challenge with median housing costs above $2,500.
High median household income, over $130,000, helps offset costs but may limit accessibility for new residents. Still, San Jose leads as the safest major city overall.
Texas Cities Dominate the Safety Rankings
Texas secured three spots in the top 10: Fort Worth, Arlington, and El Paso. Each ranked well for low crime rates and lower-than-average excessive drinking percentages.
El Paso stood out as the most affordable in the top 10 with a median monthly housing cost of just $1,044. Despite its border location, it consistently posts some of the nation’s lowest violent crime rates.
For families seeking a safe and affordable city, these Texas metros highlight a strong balance between cost of living and security.
Cities Struggling with Safety Challenges
Not all major cities fared well in the study. Memphis, TN ranked lowest due to high violent and property crime. Albuquerque, NM suffered from elevated overdose rates exceeding 50 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Detroit, MI also landed in the bottom three, with violent crime exceeding 2,000 incidents per 100,000 residents. San Francisco ranked #37, weighed down by property crime and high overdose rates.
Chicago fell to #38 due to violent crime levels and high excessive drinking percentages. These findings emphasize how safety challenges vary widely across regions.
Why This Safety Report Matters
Safety rankings affect more than just crime statistics. They influence quality of life, real estate values, and local economies. Investors and families alike use these studies when choosing where to relocate.
SmartAsset’s approach highlights how health outcomes and public behavior shape perceptions of safety in cities. By weighing multiple factors, the study goes beyond traditional crime-only reports.
With violent crime rates trending slightly downward nationally, the broader conversation now includes health, infrastructure, and affordability as key pieces of the safety puzzle.
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