Which Is the Safest State in the US? A Data-Driven Ranking for Health and Wealth

Finding your ideal place to settle requires balancing multiple priorities: a community with low crime, economic stability, and reasonable living costs. The safest state in the US depends not just on violent crime rates but on a comprehensive assessment of various safety dimensions. Recent research from WalletHub analyzed over 50 indicators across five key categories to identify which states offer the best combination of personal security and financial health.

Understanding the Safety Framework: More Than Just Crime Statistics

When determining the safest state in the US for relocation, evaluators look beyond simple crime metrics. The WalletHub analysis incorporated personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness. This multifaceted approach reveals that truly safe states excel in multiple areas—not just low crime rates, but also strong employment markets, stable housing, and disaster preparedness systems.

Financial safety, for instance, considers unemployment rates, foreclosure trends, bankruptcy filings, and household debt levels. A state might have low violent crime but high financial instability, or vice versa. This comprehensive ranking methodology helps residents understand the complete safety picture before making moving decisions.

The Northeast Dominance: Northeastern States Leading Safety Rankings

The Northeast region demonstrates remarkable strength across the safest state metrics. Vermont earned the top position with a score of 67.22 out of 100, establishing itself as the safest state in the US according to the research. The Green Mountain State’s strength comes from residents having fewer mortgages underwater compared to national averages and notably lower bankruptcy rates.

Though Vermont’s median home listing reached $509,000—above the national median of approximately $435,500—the financial stability of residents offset the higher housing costs. Strong road safety rankings and emergency preparedness systems complemented the state’s overall security profile.

Massachusetts secured the second position with 66.56 points, propelled by exceptionally high job security rates and extensive emergency medical services coverage. Harvard’s home state maintained a median home value of $759,999, yet still ranked third nationally for financial safety. This counterintuitive ranking reflects strong employment growth and manageable foreclosure rates despite premium housing costs.

New Hampshire followed closely at 65.75 points, emphasizing personal and residential security through low crime rates and active neighborhood watch participation. The state’s median home listing price of $595,000 paired well with low unemployment and elevated median credit scores, providing financial stability beyond its safety credentials.

The Affordable Security Options: States Balancing Safety and Cost

Maine emerged as the fourth safest state in the US with 64.69 points, offering residents an attractive cost-of-living advantage. According to Sperling’s BestPlaces, a single person in Maine spends approximately $3,267 monthly—31.5% below the national average. A family of four averages $5,340 monthly, slightly under the country’s typical expenditure.

Maine’s median home listing of $475,000 remained close to the national average while delivering notable safety credentials in personal and residential protection plus emergency response capabilities. This combination of affordability and security makes Maine particularly appealing for cost-conscious families prioritizing safety.

Minnesota rounded out the more affordable options on the safest state rankings, achieving 61.25 points with a median home listing of $395,000—the only top-10 state below the national average. Its second-place road safety ranking and fifth-place financial safety standing reflected strong transportation infrastructure and stable employment markets.

Mountain West Contenders: Safety with Scenic Benefits

Utah ranked fifth among the safest states in the US with 62.88 points, combining stunning natural landscapes with genuine security metrics. The Beehive State boasted one of the nation’s lowest vehicle fatality rates and scored strongly in workplace safety and emergency preparedness. However, its median home listing of $595,000 placed it above national averages.

Wyoming completed the top-10 safest state rankings with 59.04 points and a more moderate median home listing of $492,500. While scoring 14th for personal and residential safety, the Cowboy State excelled in emergency preparedness systems, offering an alternative for those prioritizing disaster response capabilities.

Coastal Options: Trading Cost for Amenities

Connecticut ranked sixth nationally with 62.25 points, leading the entire country in personal and residential safety. Crime statistics showed consistent downward trends, with crimes against people declining 2.4%, property crimes dropping 16.9%, and crimes against society falling 4.3%, according to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

Hawaii captured seventh place with 61.52 points, offering panoramic beaches and consistent security despite its considerably elevated cost of living. The median home list price of $750,000 reflected premium island real estate, yet Hawaii still managed 11th place for financial safety when considering unemployment rates, foreclosure trends, and emergency savings rates.

Rhode Island, the nation’s smallest state, earned ninth place with 60.17 points while ranking in the top 10 for both personal/residential safety and emergency preparedness. Its median home listing of $583,950 represented approximately $150,000 above the national average, balancing higher housing costs with strong security credentials.

Selecting Your Safest State: A Personalized Approach

Determining which is the safest state in the US ultimately depends on individual priorities. Those emphasizing crime prevention might prioritize Connecticut or New Hampshire. Families concerned about financial stability could favor Massachusetts despite its higher housing costs or Maine for affordability. Others might weight road safety or emergency preparedness more heavily.

The research demonstrates that the safest state in the US isn’t defined by a single metric but rather by consistent excellence across multiple safety dimensions combined with economic opportunity. Each of the top-ranked states offers distinct advantages—whether through robust employment markets, controlled housing costs, strong healthcare systems, or disaster preparedness frameworks.

When evaluating potential relocation destinations, consider which safety dimensions matter most to your household. The data shows that securing a location combining personal safety, financial stability, and appropriate cost of living requires careful consideration of multiple factors beyond headline crime statistics.