Safety first. It may be a cliché expression, but it’s tried and true advice that carries a lot of weight. Especially when deciding where to put down roots. When it comes to your home and family, there is no substitute for feeling safe. But where to begin? There are so many cities and towns in the U.S., it’s difficult to choose a place that is both safe and desirable. Don’t fret; there are plenty of viable options from the east coast, to the mid-west, and especially the west coast (California scored three separate times on our list!). Check out all the cities that made the ranking for the safest places to live in the U.S.
1) Sunnyvale, California
Within prosperous Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale residents experience a very safe and comfortable way of life. Most people are well-educated working professionals and many work in the computer science field. Whites, Asians, and Hispanics make up much of the diverse demography. The median household income is over $100,000. Violent and property crime are well below the national average. Sunnyvale scores extra points because of its location in Santa Clara County, which has a vehicular mortality rate less than one third of the national average. This is due to the heavily utilized Valley Transit Authority’s bus and rail systems. Santa Clara County has one of the lowest drug use rates in the nation, likely contributing to its excellent safety record. Sunnyvale’s public safety officers are trained firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, making emergency response extremely efficient. Safety bonus: California has the strictest gun control laws in the country.
2) Plano, Texas
As one of the safest places in Texas and the entire country, this Dallas suburb has a lot going for it. Plano is a city of around 286,000, high median household income, and affordable housing. Despite Texas having an above average crime rate, Plano has managed to rise above this statistic. The city prides itself on the very low violent crime rate; more than four times less than the national average. The property crime is higher, but still below the state and national averages. There are plenty of amenities, activities, and entertainment. Check out the Arbor Hill Nature Reserve for 200-acres of trails, AquaShop for indoor surfing, or Art & Soul for a paint your own pottery session. Overall, Plano is a very comfortable place to live. Bonus: large selection of public schools and over a dozen private schools. Plano ranks very well in the education category.
3) Honolulu, Hawaii
Tropical island life combines with one of the safest places in the U.S. to live. What’s not to love about Honolulu? This city is a surfer’s haven, diver’s paradise, and sun worshiper’s dream. The climate and location makes Honolulu an irresistible location. Factor in the low violent crime rate and you’ve got yourself a perfect paradise. Honolulu’s small area and year-round warm weather prompts many people to walk, or ride their bikes to work. This cuts down on the dangers people face on the road and puts Honolulu near the bottom of the list of car fatalities. Hawaii is one of the strictest states in terms of its gun control laws. Remember: Honolulu is a city of 350,000, so take the normal precautions you would in any other large city. Property crimes have decreased in the last ten years, but still hover near the national average.
4) Naperville, Illinois
This family friendly Chicago suburb boasts some of the lowest crime statistics in the nation. Naperville rivals Plano with an extremely low rate of violent crime. The most recent crime rate shows just 87 people out of 100,000 reporting a violent crime. The national average is more than four times this amount. Property crime is less than half the amount of the national average. The combined crime rate here is 58% lower than the national average. Naperville also has many ways to keep you entertained. Check out the Naperville River Walk along the DuPage River, the man-made Centennial Beach, or take a historic or bar hopping trolley tour. This city has a lively nightlife scene, local brewery, concert hall, and museums. Bonus: Chicago is easily reachable from Naperville.
5) Thousand Oaks, California
Located about forty miles north of Los Angeles in Ventura County is the city of Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks has a bevy of outdoor activities for residents to enjoy. Gardens of the World, Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, and Wildwood Park beckon people to get out and get active. The population of around 130,000 enjoy the Southern California climate and can rest easy due to their impressively low crime record. The national property crime rate is double that of Thousand Oaks, with theft as the most common crime in Thousand Oaks. The violent crime rate is more than three and a half times lower than the national average. These statistics make Thousand Oaks safer than 74% of the cities in the U.S. Don’t forget about those strict gun control laws, which are likely contributing to the overall low rates.
6) Henderson, Nevada
This city of around 300,000 is the second largest in Nevada and one of the nation’s safest communities. As a state, Nevada’s crime average is higher than the national average. However, it seems Henderson holds itself to higher standards. Henderson ranks well below the national average of violent and property crime rates. Henderson is considered safer than over half the cities in the U.S. Residents here enjoy the River Mountain Loop Trail which connects places like the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The Mojave Desert, Grand Canyon, and Joshua Tree are just a few of the tours you can embark on from the backseat of a Hummer H2. There are also a variety of excellent restaurants, from creative gourmet-bistros, to international buffets, to the healthy twist LYFE puts on its fast food. Bonus: Henderson is just a short twenty-minute drive to Las Vegas.
7) Shoreview, Minnesota
This small city has a real sense of community, which is maybe why their safety record is so shiny. Shoreview’s violent crime rate is forty-six times lower than the national average. The city’s property crime rate is 14 times lower than the national average. Combined, these statistics make Shoreview 96% safer than any other city in the country. The overall crime rate is actually decreasing. Unfortunately, living in this extremely safe environment comes with a high cost of living. Housing, health care, groceries, goods and services costs are all above the national average. To those who can afford it, this peaceful city of just 25,000 may be worth the price. Shoreview’s poverty and unemployment rates are both below the national average, perhaps contributing to its exceptionally low crime statistics. In the summer, residents enjoy outdoor concerts in the park, farmer’s markets, and community events.