When planning a vacation, one thing that has undoubtedly crossed travelers’ minds is how safe their intended destination really is. No one wants to fall victim to a crime, especially while on a trip that’s meant to be fun and relaxing. Knowing which countries are the safest in the world is great for international travel, but what about domestic travel? Using current crime statistics, we have determined the top 10 safest cities in the United States.
The crime index is listed for each city below. Lower numbers are better, and any number below 40 is considered ‘low-crime’. For all other statistics, scores are based on a scale of 100. Also, one of the most common crimes that affect travelers is pickpocketing. For this reason, we have included data about pickpocketing in each city.
10) San Diego, California
Crime Index: 38.43
Beautiful beaches, near-perfect weather, and countless activities draw millions of visitors to San Diego annually. Though it is a top tourist destination in the U.S., it still ranks quite well for safety. People feel comfortable in San Diego, with little worry of attack due to discrimination.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 31.41 (Low)
9) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Crime Index: 38.19
Pittsburgh welcomes over 12 million overnight guests every year. It is a popular destination for travelers who love great food, art, and big cities with a small-town feel. People feel particularly comfortable walking alone during the day in Pittsburgh.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 34.70 (Low)
8) Austin, Texas
Crime Index: 38.03
Great food, craft beer, local music, and amazing parks draw more than 30 million domestic travelers to this city every year. With an eclectic mix of residents, visitors will feel right at home in the melting pot of Austin. Though crime has been increasing in the city over the last three years, it remains one of the safest cities to visit in the U.S.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 30.00 (Low)
7) Raleigh, North Carolina
Crime Index: 36.11
Littered with craft breweries, new restaurants, cool coffee shops, and beautiful parks, Raleigh welcomes about 13 million visitors per year. A visitor’s favorite, the Raleigh Beer Trail is designed for craft beer enthusiasts. Prizes are given to those who visit enough breweries, and it is an interesting way to see more of the city.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 29.51 (Low)
6) Boise, Idaho
Crime Index: 35.39
Visitors enjoy Boise for its proximity to nature and easy access to activities like skiing, fishing, and hiking. The city itself is full of activities and is surrounded by beautiful snow-topped mountains.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 28.57 (Low)
5) Madison, Wisconsin
Crime Index: 33.70
Madison is growing in popularity and is even ranked #1 on Livability’s top 100 places to live in 2022. With over 200 miles of recreation trails for hiking and biking, it’s a popular city for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 26.10 (Low)
4) Salt Lake City, Utah
Crime Index: 32.96
Salt Lake City is the perfect base camp for visiting five national parks, including Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Capital Reef, and Zion. Public transportation is widely available for days in the city, and the light rail system, TREX, is free. For winter tourists, there are many ski resorts nearby.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 25.25 (Low)
3) El Paso, Texas
Crime Index: 32.28
Authentic Mexican food, stretching desert landscapes, and visiting the historic Plaza Theater are popular attractions for travelers heading to El Paso. The city isn’t the most popular tourist destination in the states and sees about 2.3 million visitors per year. However, El Paso may be an excellent option for travelers who like to explore places that aren’t as frequently visited.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 24.57 (Low)
2) Amarillo, Texas
Crime Index: 22.97
Amarillo sits at the midpoint of U.S. Route 66, making it an ideal place to stop on an iconic road trip. Visitors can leave their mark at the Cadillac ranch, where they can spray paint their own graffiti on old Cadillacs that have been half-buried in the ground. Like El Paso, the city doesn’t see an overwhelming number of tourists per year, making it a more off-the-beaten-path destination.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 20.31 (Low)
1) Irvine, California
Crime Index: 20.58
Irvine is an excellent location for checking out different parts of California. About 85 miles from San Diego, 45 from L.A., and just a 15-minute drive from Disneyland Resort, Irvine is an excellent base camp. Irvine scored very low across the board for safety considerations, with the index citing low rates of violent crime, drug use, and general crime levels. Visitors enjoy visiting the Irvine Spectrum Center, home to the Irvine Improv, which regularly welcomes well-known comedians.
- Pickpocketing Worry: 17.05 (Very Low)
