The top 10 safest places to live in the US, according to study

Key takeaways

• Safety rankings are based on crime rates: Cities are evaluated using FBI data on violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents, making crime rate a key factor in overall livability.
• Suburbs and smaller communities dominate the list: Many of the safest places, including Johns Creek, Georgia, and Fishers, Indiana, are suburban areas with strong community infrastructure, lower population density and access to larger metropolitan areas.
• Affordability and safety don’t always align: While some safe cities offer relatively moderate home prices, others, like Newton, Massachusetts, and Sammamish, Washington, come with significantly higher housing costs, highlighting a tradeoff between safety and affordability.

For many Americans, safety is central to where they choose to live.

Nearly 60% of homebuyers say neighborhood quality outweighs proximity to work or family, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Research also shows the dynamic is mutual: Areas with lower crime tend to retain value, move more quickly in the market and attract a steady pool of buyers.

These are the safest places to live in the United States among the 859 cities analyzed in this year's rankings by U.S. News and World Report. The list is based on each community's murder and property crime rates per 100,000 people, as determined by FBI crime reports.

1. Johns Creek, Georgia 
2. Centreville, Virginia
3. Newton, Massachusetts
4. Rochester Hills, Michigan
5. Homosassa Springs, Florida
6. Fishers, Indiana
7. Carmel, Indiana
8. Sammamish, Washington 
9. Weston, Florida
10. Flower Mound, Texas 

Just north of Atlanta, Johns Creek is the kind of place where tree-lined streets, a strong sense of community and a high quality of life come together to make it one of the nation's most desirable places to call home. The city also ranked No. 1 for its low crime rate. Johns Creek is also regarded as one of the most diverse cities in Georgia. The city offers an abundance of recreational opportunities, including park systems that encompass more than 400 acres across nine parks. It's about 25 miles from downtown Atlanta, which puts the town in commuting distance.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $742,235

Centreville ranks in the 68th percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 68% of cities in the United States. Violent crime is particularly low: Centreville earns a Violent Crime Grade of A, with a total violent crime rate of 1.439 per 1,000 residents. Its location in Fairfax County puts it within commuting distance of Washington, D.C., making it popular with federal workers and contractors. While near the nation's capital, Centreville is a suburban community with lots of parks and green spaces.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $600,000

Newton's safety is rooted in its community structure and wealth. The city is made up of 13 separate settlements, which creates a village-style atmosphere where neighbors know each other, even within a city of more than 90,000. Newton offers a mix of suburban and urban housing and is only 10 miles west of Downtown Boston. The city's excellent schools and welcoming environment have earned it a reputation as one of the best locations to live in all of Massachusetts. One drawback is the high cost of living.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $1,562,000

Rochester Hills is a suburb of Detroit that is known for its small-town charm. Rochester Hills does not have its own police department; the city's police services are provided by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, a well-resourced county-level agency that serves the area.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $455,000

Homosassa Springs is a small town on the gulf side of Florida north of Tampa. The smallest community on this list, Homosassa Springs' safety is partly a function of its size. With fewer than 15,000 residents spread across spacious lots, there's a low population density that naturally contributes to lower crime.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $235,000

Fishers is part of the Indianapolis metropolitan area and consistently ranks among the most livable midsized cities in the country. The city offers a mix of urban and suburban homes. What makes Fishers stand out is its access to nature. Greenspace is woven throughout the city, and there are several lakes and ponds for residents to enjoy as well.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $424,999

Just west of Fishers, Carmel is a slightly more established midsized city outside of Indianapolis. The city is known for its beautiful parks, cultural amenities and public services, making it an ideal place for families and professionals.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $577,000

Sammamish stood out in the Seattle area as one of the highest-income and highest-home-value communities on the list. Its 30-minute proximity to Seattle gives Sammamish its strong job market, high incomes and overall quality of life. Sammamish was the only city in the Western U.S. to land in the top 25. Set along the eastern shore of Lake Sammamish, the city offers easy access to outdoor recreation and is just a short drive from Woodinville, one of Washington's most celebrated wine regions. The trade-off is the cost of living is high.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $1.66 million

Weston is a master-planned community in Broward County, about 30 miles west of Fort Lauderdale. Many of its neighborhoods are gated, with controlled access points that reduce property crime. The city consistently ranks among the safest in South Florida, a region where crime rates can vary widely. Its proximity to the Everglades provides unique outdoor recreation.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $808,000

Centrally located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the town of Flower Mound is a family-oriented community that prides itself on maintaining a small-town atmosphere while embracing a dynamic economic development environment. Flower Mound is home to 57 parks spread over 1,000 acres and connected by over 64 miles of multi-use trails.

Median home sale price in the last 12 months: $622,225

This story was updated on May 13.