No city, anywhere in the world, is completely safe. However, some places in the US enjoy particularly low crime rates. Personal finance company MoneyGeek has crunched the numbers, analyzing 292 American cities with populations over 100,000. The report combines statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with academic research.
The result is a list of cities ranked by the societal cost of crime per capita (per person). In addition, the report highlights the number of violent crimes and property crimes per 100,000 residents in each city.
Click through the gallery to discover America’s 15 safest cities...
The list of safest cities kicks off with Coral Springs in Broward County, which – like many of the entries – has a relatively low population (around 135,000). Bordering the Everglades, the city is a suburb of Fort Lauderdale and boasts Florida’s only covered bridge.
Coral Springs had a violent crime rate of 138 incidents and a property crime rate of 1,247 incidents per 100,000 people. The crime cost per capita was $493. This compared to a US-wide cost of $2,178.
One of the larger cities on the list, Scottsdale has a population close to 250,000. Known for its art and architecture, the city has a vibrant Old Town and is often named one of the best places in the US to retire.
This may be partly due to its relatively low crime rates. MoneyGeek found Scottsdale’s crime cost per capita was $493, with its violent and property crime rates at 166 and 2,209 incidents per 100,000 residents, respectively.
Pearland in Texas is the next safest city on the list, according to the report. Located around 20 minutes from Houston, the city benefits from 540 acres of parks, plus public art installations, and a thriving restaurant scene. It also hosts a year-round program of live music and events.
Overall, its violent crime rate was 106 incidents per 100,000 residents, with 1,669 property crimes. The crime cost per capita was $471.
Next is Gilbert, Arizona, another of the larger cities on the list. Located southeast of Phoenix, Gilbert has an agricultural past – in fact, it was once known as the ‘Hay Capital of the World.’ Nowadays, it’s a laidback and mostly suburban area with lots of coffee shops and parks.
The city’s crime cost per capita was $460, with the violent crime rate at 117 and the property crime rate at 935 incidents per 100,000 residents.
The second entry from Florida is Port St. Lucie, nicknamed the ‘Jewel of the Treasure Coast.’ The state’s sixth largest city is home to pristine beaches, a botanical garden, and a Riverwalk Boardwalk through the mangroves.
Adding to its appeal are the low violent and property crime rates, with the latest figures showing there were 99 and 749 incidents per 100,000 residents, respectively. The crime cost per capita was $457.
Part of the Detroit metro area, Sterling Heights is Michigan’s fourth largest city. It boasts plenty of open spaces, with 31 parks and 15 miles of trails, as well as hosting lots of events and festivals throughout the year.
The MoneyGeek report shows that the city had a crime cost per capita of $449. The violent crime rate was 168 incidents, with 1,111 property crimes per 100,000 residents.
A hub for sports and a magnet for lovers of the outdoors, Surprise, Arizona makes the top 10 safest US cities. It hosts spring training for two Major League Baseball teams and is home to the southwest's largest tennis and racquet complex. It’s also a gateway to the White Tank Mountains.
In terms of crime, the cost per capita was $419, with a violent crime rate of 100 and a property crime rate of 1,249 incidents per 100,000 residents.
The first of two entries from California is Elk Grove in Sacramento County. It’s a thriving community which features lots of restaurants and public parks, as well as a characterful historic district. Elk Grove is also close to Stone Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
It makes the top 10 safest cities list due to a crime cost per capita of $415, plus relatively low violent and property crime rates of – respectively – 187 and 1,203 incidents per 100,000 residents.
Pembroke Pines is the third Florida city on the list. Located around 20 miles north of Miami, it boasts a sunny climate and a vibrant arts scene. Several beaches, including Hollywood, are an easy drive, as is Miami International Airport.
The city also had a low crime cost per capita of $406. The violent crime rate was 117 incidents per 100,000 residents, with a property crime rate of 1,510.
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Placing just outside the top five is Cary, North Carolina, a city which has featured on lists of the best places to live in America. Located about 10 miles from Raleigh, Cary is a hub for sports, including baseball and soccer. It’s also a great destination for foodies and music lovers.
Cary’s violent crime rate was 104 incidents per 100,000 residents, with a property crime rate of 1,231. The overall crime cost per capita was $381.
The list of the five safest cities in America starts with Lakewood Township in Ocean County, New Jersey. The area includes several communities, including Lakewood and Leisure Village. It also has two large country parks, one of which boasts 48-acre Lake Shenandoah.
MoneyGeek’s report shows that Lakewood’s crime cost per capita was $376, while the violent and property crime rates per 100,000 residents were 156 and 646, respectively.
At number four is Fishers in Hamilton County, Indiana. Another city which crops up on lists of the best places to live in America, Fishers is located north of Indianapolis. Its population is just over 100,000, making it one of the smallest cities on the list. Highlights include its public parks, Fishers Art Center, and independent coffee shops.
It also had a low violent crime rate of 99 incidents per 100,000 residents, a property crime rate of 609, and a crime cost per capita of $337.
The second Californian city on the list is Irvine in Orange County. Located southeast of Los Angeles, Irvine offers miles of hiking and biking trails and a vibrant restaurant scene. It’s also close to Disneyland and Newport Beach.
Among its other draws is the low crime rates. The crime cost per capita was $324, with violent and property crime rates of 87 and 1,546 incidents per 100,000 residents, respectively.
We return to Texas for the city named the second safest in America in MoneyGeek’s report. Frisco in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area is home to a heritage museum and the National Videogame Museum. It also features 70 miles of trails and public parks.
Friso’s crime cost per capita was $287, with a violent crime rate of 86 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,357.
The report names the Town of Ramapo in Rockland County as America’s safest city. Located 28 miles from New York City, Ramapo comprises several villages and lots of open green space, including part of Harriman State Park.
Ramapo’s violent crime rate was just 78 incidents per 100,000 residents, while the property crime rate was similarly low, at 645. At $271, the crime cost per capita was the lowest of all the cities analyzed, leading to its place at the top of MoneyGeek’s latest list.
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