Safety is often one of the first considerations when deciding on a place to reside or visit in the United States. Although no location is completely without risk, rates of violent crimes can give a general idea of how a location ranks compared to others throughout the United States. This includes crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, and they are usually expressed per 100,000 residents.
The patterns of population density and concentrations, along with community structure, appear to play a part in how these numbers are represented, especially when considering smaller communities and lower congestion levels. However, each location has its own unique local conditions, and averages can only tell part of the overall picture.
According to WorldAtlas data (January 2026), below are the top 10 safest states in the US in 2026 on the basis of the violent crime rate per 100,000.
List of safest states in the US 2026
| Rank | State |
Violent Crime Rate (per 100,000) |
| 1 | Maine | 100.1 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 110.1 |
| 3 | Connecticut | 136 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 153.6 |
| 5 | Wyoming | 203.4 |
| 6 | Mississippi | 210.5 |
|
7 |
Kentucky | 213.1 |
| 8 | Hawaii | 217.7 |
| 8 | New Jersey | 217.7 |
| 10 | Virginia | 217.9 |
Source: World Atlas
Safest cities in the US ranked by crime rates
Crime rates often shape how people choose where to live. Here’s a closer look at the safest cities in the United States, based on recent crime data rankings.
Maine
Maine records the lowest violent crime rate among all states on this list. The figure of 100.1 per 100,000 residents reflects a landscape that is largely made up of small towns and rural communities. Large metropolitan zones are limited, which appears to reduce the kinds of environments where violent incidents tend to cluster.
Population density is relatively low, and many communities have strong local familiarity. In practical terms, this can contribute to stable surroundings where serious crime remains comparatively uncommon. While no state is completely without risk, Maine’s overall structure seems to support lower levels of violent activity across most regions.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire follows closely with a violent crime rate of 110.1. The state shares several characteristics with Maine, including a strong presence of small towns and limited large urban centres. Much of the population lives in suburban or semi-rural settings, particularly in the southern regions near the Massachusetts border.
This distribution may help keep violent incidents from becoming widespread. Instead, they tend to appear in specific locations rather than across the entire state. The overall environment is often described as stable, with community-oriented living patterns that appear to contribute to lower crime levels statewide.
Connecticut
Connecticut reports a rate of 136.0, placing it third on the list. The state has a mixed structure, combining suburban areas with a handful of urban centres. The population is relatively dense compared to Maine or New Hampshire, yet crime remains concentrated in specific districts rather than evenly spread.
Many suburban communities experience lower levels of violent incidents, which helps balance the statewide average. This uneven distribution is a key feature of Connecticut’s safety profile. While some cities may show higher activity, a significant portion of the state maintains comparatively low levels of violent crime overall.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s violent crime rate stands at 153.6. Despite being one of the most densely populated states in the US, its small geographic size allows for shorter distances between communities and more coordinated local services. Providence serves as the main urban centre, and a significant portion of incidents tends to cluster in and around this area.
Outside of these zones, many communities report lower levels of violent activity. The compact nature of the state seems to play a role in shaping its overall safety profile, with limited geographic spread contributing to manageable statewide figures.
Wyoming
Wyoming shows a violent crime rate of 203.4. Unlike the northeastern states on this list, Wyoming is characterised by very low population density and vast rural areas. There are fewer large cities, and daily interactions between strangers are less frequent. Violent incidents, when they occur, are often linked to personal disputes rather than random encounters.
The limited number of densely populated areas reduces the presence of typical urban crime patterns. At the same time, small population size can cause fluctuations in reported rates from year to year, which may affect how the data appears over time.
Mississippi
Mississippi records a rate of 210.5. The state includes both rural regions and urban centres, with violent crime tending to concentrate in specific localities. While some areas experience higher incident levels, many smaller towns and rural counties report relatively lower rates. This variation contributes to the statewide average, which reflects a combination of different regional conditions.
The uneven distribution of crime is an important factor in understanding Mississippi’s ranking. Overall, the figures suggest lower statewide averages compared to many other parts of the country, though local differences remain significant.
Kentucky
The violent crime rate in the state of Kentucky is 213.1. The state of Kentucky has a diverse environment with a mix of rural and urban settings. Most of the population of the state resides in rural areas rather than urban areas. This could be a factor in the distribution of crime rates in the state of Kentucky. More crime could be taking place in urban areas than in rural areas.
This would give a mixed result of the crime rates in the state of Kentucky. Safety levels could vary depending on the region, but the crime rates are moderate in the state of Kentucky.
Hawaii
The violent crime rate in Hawaii is 217.7. The island nature of the state of Hawaii contributes uniquely to the crime rates. Most of the population of Hawaii resides on the island of Oʻahu, especially around the city of Honolulu. This is the most active region of the state of Hawaii. On the other hand, the population of the other islands is relatively low and peaceful.
Additionally, the tourism and population factors contribute to the crime rates in some areas of the state of Hawaii.
New Jersey
This rate is the same for New Jersey as it is for Hawaii at 217.7. Despite being one of the more densely populated areas within the United States, it is spread out over a number of different areas rather than having one main center for its population. This would explain why crime rates in this particular area are not as high. While there are areas within this state where more violent crimes occur, overall, it remains at a somewhat lower rate.
The combination of living in a suburban area, having an economy, and having different areas of service creates a complex situation for safety.
Virginia
Virginia rounds out this listing with a violent crime rate of 217.9. It is a state with highly developed areas and some more rural areas. Northern Virginia, for example, has seen much suburban development. Other areas have fewer people living in them. There is a range of crime rates based on where you are in Virginia. Some areas have more crime, while others have fewer violent crimes.
The overall average for Virginia is based on this diversity. The overall placement of Virginia on this listing indicates a moderate level of violent crime when compared to other areas of the United States.
