What is the unsafest city in America?

Asked by: Dr. Tate Fisher  |  Last update: March 12, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (22 votes)

There's no single "safest city" as rankings vary by study and criteria (big cities vs. small, crime vs. natural disasters), but San Jose, CA, is often named safest among large cities for low violent/property crime and overdose rates, while Warwick, RI, and Overland Park, KS, lead broader lists for overall safety, including low crime, good financial health, and minimal natural disaster risk in 2025 studies. Johns Creek, GA, also appears high on lists focusing on murder and property crime.

Which city is safest in the USA?

There's no single "safest city" as rankings vary by study and metrics, but Warwick, Rhode Island, often appears at the top for overall safety in recent analyses (WalletHub), while San Jose, California, is frequently cited as the safest big city (SmartAsset). Other highly-rated cities include Overland Park, Kansas, Burlington, Vermont, Frisco, Texas, and towns like Ramapo, New York, depending on whether the focus is on large cities, suburbs, or specific crime types.
 

What is the #1 crime state in America?

Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while Louisiana frequently tops lists for overall danger or homicide rates, though figures vary slightly by source and specific metrics (violent vs. property crime) for 2024/2025 data. 

What is the #1 safest state?

Vermont takes the top spot overall, bolstered by first-place finishes in both financial safety and road safety. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine all rank in the top five, reflecting strong public institutions, lower violent crime rates, and robust emergency preparedness.

What is the world's safest city?

Abu Dhabi has ranked first on the world's safest cities list in 2026, the 10th consecutive year it has topped the list compiled by online database Numbeo, reflecting the emirate's global leadership in promoting security, stability, and quality of life.

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21 related questions found

What is the #1 safest country?

  • Switzerland. #1 in Safe. #1 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Norway. #2 in Safe. #11 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Sweden. #3 in Safe. #6 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Austria. #4 in Safe. #21 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Denmark. #5 in Safe. #10 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Canada. #6 in Safe. ...
  • Finland. #7 in Safe. ...
  • New Zealand. #8 in Safe.

Which city is safest for girls?

Mangalore is consistently ranked as the safest city for women in India. Other notably safe cities for women include Pune, Coimbatore, and Chennai. Crime rate per 1,00,000 people (NCRB data) Numbeo Safety Index and citizen perception.

Which state is the friendliest?

WCCO CBS reported, "The study found that Minnesota is the friendliest state." This edged out Texas and other notoriously friendly-seeming states in that region (depending on who you ask).

What's the least safest state?

Louisiana has been ranked the least safe state in America for 2025, according to a new report from WalletHub.

What are the top 5 states for murders?

Based on recent data (around 2023-2024), the U.S. states with the highest murder rates (per capita) consistently include Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, New Mexico, and Tennessee, with other states like Alaska, South Carolina, and Missouri also frequently appearing at the top, while the District of Columbia often has the highest rate overall. 

Which state is no. 1 in crime?

Alaska often ranks #1 for violent crime rates per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, while Louisiana frequently tops lists for overall danger or homicide rates, though figures vary slightly by source and specific metrics (violent vs. property crime) for 2024/2025 data. 

What are the top 5 crime cities in the US?

While rankings vary by source and year, recent reports (late 2025/early 2026) frequently list Memphis, TN; Detroit, MI; Baltimore, MD; St. Louis, MO; and New Orleans, LA, as among the most dangerous US cities, often cited for high violent crime and homicide rates, with others like Birmingham, AL, and Oakland, CA, also appearing prominently. These cities consistently show elevated crime rates per capita, though specific rankings depend on the metrics used (violent crime vs. homicide) and data source.
 

What state has the worst crime rate?

Alaska and New Mexico consistently rank among states with the highest violent crime rates, with Alaska often leading in overall violent crime and New Mexico having very high rates too, followed by states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana, depending on the specific year and type of crime measured. Louisiana also frequently appears at the top for murder rates and overall danger in safety rankings. 

Is it safe to walk alone at night?

First and foremost, it's important to stay vigilant if you're walking alone at night. Being aware of your surroundings is essential for your personal safety, so put your phone in your pocket and keep your ears free of headphones.

What is the most secure place in the United States?

Fort Knox, Kentucky (USA)

To ensure it is completely safe, there is a bank vault hidden deep within a basement of the depository that has a 250-ton door at its entrance. If that wasn't enough, the entire location is surrounded by a military camp to ward off any intruders.

What is the toughest state to live in?

While "hardest" is subjective, recent studies consistently rank New Mexico as one of the toughest states to live in due to high crime, poverty, and poor education/health outcomes, often appearing at or near the bottom in overall quality of life, education, and safety rankings. Other contenders for difficult living conditions include Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Arkansas, facing challenges with poverty, healthcare, and economic opportunity. 

What is the no. 1 state to live in?

10 Best US States to Live In, According to a New Study

  1. Massachusetts. According to WalletHub's study, Massachusetts is the best state to live in, excelling in all key factors—and earning the top spot in the ranking.
  2. Idaho. ...
  3. New Jersey. ...
  4. Wisconsin. ...
  5. Minnesota. ...
  6. Florida. ...
  7. New Hampshire. ...
  8. Utah. ...

Is Texas or Florida safer?

Next came Mississippi, which received a score of 36.77. Texas was ranked the third least safe state with a score of 38.14, and Florida came fourth with 38.67 points. The fifth most dangerous state was Arkansas, which received 40.16 points.

What is the #1 happiest state in the US?

According to WalletHub's 2025 rankings, Hawaii is the number one happiest state in the U.S., consistently topping lists due to strong emotional & physical well-being, positive economic factors, and a good work-life balance, despite high cost of living. Maryland and Nebraska also ranked highly, while West Virginia is often cited as the least happy state.
 

What is the freest state in the USA?

For the 24th time, New Hampshire is the freest state among all U.S. states, having scored 8.34 out of 10 in this year's report, which measures government spending, taxation, regulations and labor market restrictions using data from 2023, the most recent year of available comparable data.

What is the most loved state in America?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most liked U.S. state, leading in favorability surveys for its beauty, pleasant climate, and perceived happiness, followed by states like Alaska, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Colorado, while some polls show Minnesota or Michigan residents have the most state pride, according to data from 2025 YouGov polls. Different surveys measure "liked" differently, with some focusing on general favorability and others on resident pride, but Hawaii appears at the top for general appeal across the nation.
 

What is the #1 safest city in the world?

While rankings vary by source, Abu Dhabi is frequently cited as the #1 safest city globally in early 2026 by databases like Numbeo (10th year in a row), while other reports highlight Copenhagen, Zurich, and Tokyo as top contenders, often based on different criteria like digital security, health, or personal safety for travelers. 

What is the safest place for a single woman to live?

1. Murrieta, California. Among the cities with smaller populations, Murrieta is among the safest for women not just in the state of California, but in the country as a whole, with low violent crime and property crime rates across the board.