Revealed: the safest states in the U.S. (2024)

FAQs

What's the safest state in the US? ›

WalletHub released a 2023 report listing the safest states in the US. States were ranked based on 52 safety indicators, including work safety and emergency preparedness. Vermont scored the highest, followed by Maine.

New Hampshire, the state with the lowest rate, has a murder rate of 1.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, with states like Vermont (1.5) and Maine (1.7) tailing closely. There's a clear discrepancy in murder rates among states with large metropolis areas when compared to less densely populated regions.

1. New Jersey. New Jersey shines bright as America's safest state in 2024, with unparalleled low crime rates in various categories, leading with the nation's lowest assault offense rate at 430, closely followed by an impressively low homicide rate of 3.6 per 100,000.

– Maine is the most peaceful state in the U.S. for the 11th year in a row, Louisiana is the least peaceful. The Northeast continues to be the most peaceful region with three of the five most peaceful states. The South is once again the least peaceful region in America, with four of the five least peaceful states.

1. Alaska. The most dangerous state in the US is Alaska, having the highest combined violent and property crime rate out of any state. Out of a population of 736,081, Alaska's crime rate was 32.14 per 1,000 people in 2022, making it the state with the highest crime rate.

Louisiana ranked No. 50 in the 2024 best states rankings. The Pelican State placed 50th in crime and corrections. It was 47th in education, 46th in health care and 49th in the natural environment.

Vermont. The safest state to live in the USA is Vermont. It has the lowest violent crime rate in America, with only 1.46 per 1,000 people out of a population of 647,064. In 2022, there were only 15 murders, 64 robberies, and 790 assaults in Vermont.

Massachusetts has been named the top state to live in for 2023 while New Mexico has been named the worst, according to WalletHub. The personal finance website based its rankings, released Aug. 14, on key indicators of livability, including affordability, economy, safety, quality of life and education and health.

What is the most expensive state to live in? ›

According to several studies on cost of living, Hawaii is the most expensive U.S. state to live in. Prices are typically double in Hawaii compared to those on the mainland, and the continued rise in inflation is making costs ranging from housing to health care much more expensive.

Louisiana ranked the most unsafe state in the U.S. with an overall score of 32.99. The state had poor emergency preparedness scores as well as low scores in personal and residential safety.

The safest states for driving were New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, which had the lowest fatality rates, contrasted with Wyoming, Mississippi, and Arkansas, which were the most dangerous states for driving.

Florida ranked 40th among all states with a violent crime rate of 2.59 per 1,000 residents; a property crime rate of 15.66 per 1,000 residents; and the chances of becoming a crime victim at 1 in 386.