America’s Safest Midsize Cities – 2026 Study 

Safety and security are major determinants of quality of life. That’s especially true in midsize cities, where residents may seek a balance of opportunity, affordability and peace of mind. While no place is risk-free, some midsized cities offer residents a stronger sense of everyday security than others.

SmartAsset examined more than 300 midsize cities — those with populations between 65,000 and 250,000 — to identify the safest in the United States. Cities were ranked using composite scores that considered violent crime, property crime, traffic fatality rates and natural disaster risk.

Key Findings

• Broomfield, Colorado, is America’s safest midsize city. Broomfield boasts below-average violent and property crime rates — 1.5 and 19 per 1,000 residents, respectively — and a modest motor vehicle fatality rate of about five per 100,000 residents.  Broomfield is also the only city evaluated with a FEMA natural disaster risk rating of “very low,” which reflects expected disaster losses, social vulnerability and community resilience.
• Little Rock, Arkansas, ranks last. High property and violent crime, elevated natural disaster risk and an above-average traffic fatality rate pushed Little Rock to the bottom of the ranking.
• Inland states account for most of the highest-ranked cities. Fourteen of the 20 safest midsize cities are in noncoastal states. 
• Disaster risk can affect otherwise safe cities. Auburn, Washington, and San Ramon, California, have among the nation’s lowest violent crime rates for midsize cities, but each faces elevated natural disaster risk. Auburn is exposed to flooding, major earthquakes and potential lahars, or volcanic mudflows from Mount Rainier. San Ramon is also at risk of earthquakes, as well as wildfires and severe weather. 

The 75 Safest Midsize Cities

1. Broomfield, Colorado

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.48
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 18.56
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.02
• Disaster risk: Very low

2. State College, Pennsylvania

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.53
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 7.64
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.63
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

3. Warwick, Rhode Island

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.79
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 11.47
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.39
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

4. Ames, Iowa

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.48
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 15.06
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.51
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

5. Logan, Utah

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.37
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 11.3
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.68
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

6. Carmel, Indiana

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.66
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 8.13
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.93
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

7. Greenwood, Indiana

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.09
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 15.29
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.1
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

8. Waukesha, Wisconsin

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.14
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 8.75
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.69
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

9. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.41
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 9.56
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 10.31
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

10. Appleton, Wisconsin

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.01
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.47
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.88
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

11. Eau Claire, Wisconsin

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.62
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 19.06
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.44
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

12. Franklin, Tennessee

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.32
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 9.43
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.51
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

13. St. Charles, Missouri

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.34
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 8.87
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.09
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

14. Newton, Massachusetts

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.49
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 5.99
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.03
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

15. Dubuque, Iowa

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.01
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 14.35
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.76
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

16. Alexandria, Virginia

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.19
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 26.4
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.8
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

17. Eagan, Minnesota

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.03
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 17.7
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.92
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

18. Rockville, Maryland

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.5
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 15.23
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.62
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

19. Frederick, Maryland

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.06
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 16.74
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.96
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

20. Lehi, Utah

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.88
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 5.41
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.61
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

21. Rochester, Minnesota

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.54
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.68
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.03
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

22. Gaithersburg, Maryland

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.53
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.12
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.62
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

23. Nashua, New Hampshire

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.61
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 12.61
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.78
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

24. Chapel Hill, North Carolina

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.72
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 25.15
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.87
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

25. Novi, Michigan

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.99
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 6.55
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.67
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

26. Naperville, Illinois

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.84
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 8.84
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.91
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

27. Georgetown, Texas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.91
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 11.7
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.74
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

28. College Station, Texas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.7
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 11.03
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 9.56
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

29. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.06
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.69
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.71
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

30. Kenosha, Wisconsin

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.86
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 8.66
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 9.22
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

31. Pocatello, Idaho

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.41
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 15.87
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 11.45
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

32. Boise, Idaho

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.94
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 11.1
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.9
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

33. Burnsville, Minnesota

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.1
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 18.89
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.92
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

34. Portland, Maine

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.67
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 24.79
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.87
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

35. Plymouth, Minnesota

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.51
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 10.24
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.51
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

36. St. George, Utah

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.1
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 10.03
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 10.33
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

37. Oshkosh, Wisconsin

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.32
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 14.52
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.35
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

38. Waltham, Massachusetts

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.52
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 6.99
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.03
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

39. Barnstable, Massachusetts

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.1
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 7.85
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.42
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

40. Roseville, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.19
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 14.2
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.2
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

41. Farmington Hills, Michigan

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.98
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 6.81
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.67
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

42. Bloomington, Indiana

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.87
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 27.18
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 6.99
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

43. Bentonville, Arkansas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.55
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 8.28
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 11.27
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

44. East Lansing, Michigan

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.2
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 12.2
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 9.74
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

45. West Des Moines, Iowa

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.65
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 17.14
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.91
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

46. Concord, North Carolina

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.59
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 11.05
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 12
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

47. Lawrence, Kansas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.62
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 21.57
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.8
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

48. Allentown, Pennsylvania

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.72
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 15.69
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.57
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

49. Eden Prairie, Minnesota

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.73
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 12.79
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.51
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

50. Iowa City, Iowa

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.21
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 16.74
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 6.21
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

51. Providence, Rhode Island

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.77
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 16.58
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.2
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

52. Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.02
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 17.16
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 6.61
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

53. Round Rock, Texas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.31
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 19.41
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.74
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

54. Troy, Michigan

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.16
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 12.77
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.67
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

55. Kettering, Ohio

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.42
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 15.01
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 13.12
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

56. Centennial, Colorado

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.73
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 17.09
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 9.64
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

57. Grand Island, Nebraska

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.68
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 17.6
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 13.22
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

58. Edina, Minnesota

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.73
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 14.9
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.51
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

59. Athens-Clarke, Georgia

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.06
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 22.76
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 10.07
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

60. Framingham, Massachusetts

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.25
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 10.54
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 4.03
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

61. Manchester, New Hampshire

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.36
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 16.48
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.78
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

62. Bolingbrook, Illinois

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.82
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 7.79
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 8.4
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

63. New Braunfels, Texas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.56
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 12.84
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 13.4
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

64. Sugar Land, Texas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.78
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.84
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 6.85
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

65. Grand Forks, North Dakota

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 3.59
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 22.82
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 11.48
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

66. Mooresville, North Carolina

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.17
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 21.52
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 14.81
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

67. Bend, Oregon

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.68
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.62
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 13.06
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

68. Orem, Utah

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.74
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.6
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.61
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

69. Scranton, Pennsylvania

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.81
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.45
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 11.19
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

70. Lenexa, Kansas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.83
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.47
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.58
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

71. Provo, Utah

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.07
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 12.71
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 5.61
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

72. Green Bay, Wisconsin

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 4.95
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.12
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.55
• Disaster risk: Relatively moderate

73. Cary, North Carolina

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 0.71
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 13.17
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 7.85
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

74. Thousand Oaks, California

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 1.02
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 10.21
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 9.06
• Disaster risk: Relatively high

75. San Angelo, Texas

• Violent crime per 1,000 residents: 2.18
• Property crime per 1,000 residents: 24.86
• Auto fatalities per 100,000 residents: 13.22
• Disaster risk: Relatively low

Methodology

Natural disaster risk was calculated by converting the county risk rating in FEMA’s National Risk Index, as of April 2026, for the county in which a particular city is located to a five-point numeric scale. Traffic fatality rates were sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Property and violent crime rates were sourced from the FBI’s 2024 issue of Crime in the United States, the most recent year available. Each metric was weighted and combined into a composite score used to rank the cities. Crime data reflects offenses reported by law enforcement agencies serving each city and may not perfectly align with municipal boundaries. County-level traffic fatality and natural disaster risk data were used as proxies for city-level conditions. Midsize cities were defined as those with populations of 65,000 to 249,999 and classified based on U.S. Census Bureau 2024 population estimates. Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.

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