Top 10 Safest Cities in the U.S.

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Safety is one of the most important things to consider when deciding where to live. Crime rates differ widely across the US, with stark differences seen even among cities and neighborhoods. Naturally, knowing all these details about an area that you call or are about to call home is important. NeighborhoodScout drew up a list of the top ten safest cities in the US, with the help of the most recent and official rankings.

The survey only considered cities with a population of over 25,000. The parameters used are the number of property and violent crimes per 1,000 residents. The data used is the latest national data available, vetted and released by the FBI. The crimes include larceny theft, motor vehicle theft and burglary, as well as more grievous offences such as armed robbery, aggravated assault, murder and rape.

Read on to know the top ten safest cities in the US. Those of you who live in these cities can sleep even more peacefully at night, and those considering relocating can now narrow down on ideal locations even more.

1. Zionsville, Indiana

Zionsville, IN ranks as the safest city in America for 2020. With a population of 27,153, Zionsville has some excellent public schools and housing opportunities. The nightlife may not be raving, but it has a pleasant village-styled downtown, paved in brick. Most of its workforce is employed in white collar jobs, and most of its population is highly educated as well. Additionally, Zionsville has some of the most recently built housing properties in the US - credit this to its attractive opportunities. It is 14 miles away from its nearest big city, Indianapolis.

Median Home Value: $464,963

Median Household Income: $132,409

Average Market Rent: $1,642 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 2.2

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2. Ridgefield, Connecticut

Sitting at the foot of the Berkshire Mountains and an hour’s drive away from New York City, Ridgefield is the second safest city in the US. Founded over 300 years ago, Ridgefield has a unique historical feel merged with modern housing and facilities. It has a population of just over 25,000 people, and over 90% of the workforce in Ridgefield is employed in a white collar job.

Median Home Value: $668,785

Median Household Income: $158,518

Average Market Rent: $2,550 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 2.6

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3. Milton, Massachusetts

Located a stone’s throw away from Boston, Milton boasts the rank of third safest city in America. With an interesting history, the town is now known for its affluent living and good quality schools. It has a population of 27,616, and its workforce is primarily in white collar jobs. Living in Milton is getting the best of the high quality of life, the safety of the low crime rates, and the proximity of urban hustle a few miles away.

Median Home Value: $751,290

Median Household Income: $127,448

Average Market Rent: $2,826 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 2.7

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4. Bergenfield, New Jersey

Bergenfield boasts of a diverse population, excellent schools and recreation departments, neighbourhoods dotted with playgrounds and the prestige of being the fourth safest city in the US. With its population at 27,479, Bergenfield is quite the place to be. The town is ‘walkable’, and it’s many restaurants offering delicious cuisines from around the world are a sign of its diversity. While it may seem a bit dull to young guns looking for activity and nightlife, it is becoming increasingly ideal for families.

Median Home Value: $402,954

Median Household Income: $96,713

Average Market Rent: $2,040 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 2.8

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5. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

With a population of nearly 38,000, Shrewsbury is the fifth safest city in the US. Its high cost of living may deter some, but its network of public schools, lower tax rates and white-collar oriented workforce may attract others. It is right next to Worcester and an hour outside of Boston, so you still have access to urban dynamism.

Median Home Value: $498,655

Median Household Income: $105,959

Average Market Rent: $1,896 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 3.1

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6. North Ridgeville, Ohio

With new construction of residential areas being a testament to its growth and promise, North Ridgeville can now also boast being the 6th safest city in the US. Its school district is above average, and constantly improving, and the city offers residents the chance to get in some outdoor activities. Its current population stands at 33,889, but has been steadily growing over the recent years and is predicted to continue on this course.

Median Home Value: $171,202

Median Household Income: $74,309

Average Market Rent: $1,690 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 3.1

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7. Long Beach, New York

Located on Long Island’s South Shore, Long Beach is ideal for college students, young professionals and young families alike. Living here is living in safety, as it is the seventh safest city in the US. West End, with its bungalows, bars and restaurants, has an unshakeable hold on college students and young professionals. The good public schools and the reliable Long Island Rail Road keep the residential families happy. It has a population of just over 33,500, and the number of people swells considerably in the summers.

Median Home Value: $595,625

Median Household Income: $93,772

Average Market Rent: $2,997 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 3.2

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8. Franklin, Massachusetts

With a cluster of friendly neighbourhoods to match every kind of lifestyle and a steady population of just over 33,200 people, Franklin comes in eighth on the list of top ten safest cities in the US. Franklin was home to Horace Mann, the American father of public education, and continues to maintain its reputation with a good public school district. The median income is higher than the national average, and most of its workforce is in a white collar job.

Median Home Value: $493,871

Median Household Income: $115,355

Average Market Rent: $2,442 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 3.6

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9. Lexington, Massachusetts

Lexington has a rich history that goes back centuries, and is the ninth safest city in the US. The higher than average cost of living tends to attract the affluent, and the high average income is a reflection of the same. Most of its workforce is engaged in white collar jobs, and the 33,792 residents will tell you just why living here is worth it. Easy access to Boston, excellent education systems and job opportunities make it quite attractive. If there’s anything to be prepared for, it's the harsh winters that Lexington faces.

Median Home Value: $1,009,564

Median Household Income: $172,750

Average Market Rent: $4,386 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 3.6

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10. Hutto, Texas

Hutto, with a population of around 27,000, comes in at 10th place on the list of top ten safest cities in America. It is a fast growing community, attracting people with its jobs and family-friendly atmosphere. The spurt in construction of residential areas serves as testimony to the fact that Hutto is steadily gaining attention on the real estate market. Affordable homes and proximity to the city of Austin makes it an ideal location to be.

Median Home Value: $251,124

Median Household Income: $73,764

Average Market Rent: $1,646 per month

Crime Rate Per Thousand Residents: 3.7

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The survey puts the Boston metro region at a position of esteem, as four of the safest cities are in Massachusetts, the largest number of cities to be from one region. Plus, it goes to show that unlike the widely believed notion, safety in America is not just found in small towns with low population numbers. These locations may not be as urbanized or active as the larger metropoles, but all of them are in proximity to at least one major metropolis.

They offer the safety of low crime rates and the assurance of being ideal for families and young professionals, without the sometimes hassling dynamism of the bigger cities. All of them have good transportation systems, and come armed with big city amenities. Moving to any of these is an effortless process, irrespective of how long or short the journey is. With the right type of movers in tow, you can soon call one of the top ten safest cities in the US your home.

See also: How Safe is My New Neighborhood?

Click here to read the complete survey from NeighborhoodScout!