Small towns in America are often associated with safety and tranquillity. However, not all small towns live up to this reputation. Bessemer, Alabama, for example, has a population of 26,000 but a high violent crime rate of 33.1 per every 1,000 residents.

Fortunately, there are many small cities in the U.S. that are true havens for families. Using FBI data and Census Bureau populations, NeighborhoodScout compiled a list of the safest cities in the country in 2023.

The ranking considered cities with a population of 25,000 or higher and is based on total index crimes reported, including arson, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

The top 100 safest cities in the U.S. show that 40% of them are in Northeastern states, which are typically rated as the safest based on FBI data.

Here is a closer look at the top 10 safest cities:

One notable observation is that a quarter of the safest cities are located in Massachusetts, primarily around Boston.

The median population of the top 100 safest cities is only 32,000, with few well-known cities making the list. It suggests that smaller cities tend to be safer. However, our map of the most dangerous cities in America shows that small cities can also be dangerous.

Interestingly, many of the safest cities in the U.S. are in close proximity to some of the most dangerous ones. For example, Detroit, the sixth most dangerous city in America, has four nearby communities with some of the lowest crime rates in the country.

This stark contrast within metro areas provides valuable information for individuals and families looking for secure places to live across the country.