One of the biggest factors people consider when making a move is the crime rate, and while crime has been decreasing across the country, these states remain the best for public safety.
Over the last few decades, crime in America has declined, but the U.S. continues to imprison more of its citizens than other developed countries.
A U.S. News research report ranked all 50 states according to public safety and corrections outcomes. Not only are these the safest states, but they are also the most likely to have criminals who turn over a new leaf and become law-abiding citizens.
Wyoming
Wyoming is an odd case at #48 in corrections outcomes. This means it’s one of the worst states for the incarcerated, who are likely to offend again, but one of the very best for public safety. At #10 for public safety, Wyoming is one of the safest states to live in. The two extreme results average out to make Wyoming #21 on the list of best states for crime.
Minnesota
Unlike Wyoming, Minnesota has similar results, reaching #24 for public safety and #25 for corrections outcomes, averaging to #20 overall. In 2023, Minnesota had 165 homicides across the entire state, as the violent crime rate continues to plummet. IT still has a ways to go to reach where it was in 2010, but it’s trending in the right direction.
Washington
With a wide gap between corrections outcomes and public safety, Washington is the mirror opposite of Wyoming. #6 in corrections outcomes but #41 in public safety, Washington’s crime rate is over the national average. Yet, depending on how you look at it, it’s primarily first-time offenders, which is either good or bad.
West Virginia
Mountainous West Virginia, home of the Monongahela National Forest, is also one of the safest states in the country, ranking just outside the top ten at #11. Corrections outcomes are significantly worse at #41, but when the crime rate is low and already dropping, does that matter?
Florida
Florida makes the news for strange crimes on a weekly basis, but the reality is that the state is safer than most of the country. The Sunshine State is moving in the right direction at #22 in public safety and #20 in corrections outcomes, at least as far as safety goes. Florida is, however, #1 for naked men in cowboy hats running around with machetes.
Iowa
One of the least populous states in the country, Iowa has a great track record on crime and punishment. Ranking #15 for public safety and #28 for corrections outcomes, the state crime rate has dropped for the last three years. Ankeny, a suburb of Des Moines, is the safest city in the state, but no matter where you live, the property crime rate is so low you’ll likely be safe.
Utah
Utah is #7 in corrections outcomes and #31 in public safety. Strict laws regarding liquor serve to keep the violent crime rate low, but as a result, misdemeanors and non-violent felonies, which include public intoxication, are higher than the average.
Maryland
This result may be shocking to anyone who’s seen The Wire, but the show is 20 years old at this point, and things have improved statewide. Maryland is #17 for public safety and #16 for corrections outcomes, though it should be noted Baltimore is significantly higher than the state average. Even then, the crime rate has been dropping, but as of 2023, it was still one of the highest rates of any city in America.
Kentucky
At #26 in corrections outcomes and #14 in public safety, Kentucky continues to be a state on the rise. Becoming a preferred destination for those looking to move to a different state has done a lot to improve the economy and crime rate. There’s still a way to go for a state that was once one of the worst in the country, but everything’s looking up for Kentucky.
Illinois
Illinois may be only #13 in public safety and #14 in corrections outcomes, but it remains #1 in former mayors and governors in prison. Chicago skews the rates, as without one of the largest cities in the country, it would be significantly higher. At the state level, it makes sense that corrections outcomes would be so high since so many elected officials end up in prison.
New York
The crime rate in New York City is dropping and has been for years, which helps the state rank as #14 in corrections outcomes and #13 in public safety. It’s worth remembering there is a lot more to the state than the big city of course, with upstate New York reporting some of the lowest crime rates in the country.
Hawaii
At #2 in corrections outcomes, Hawaii does more to rehabilitate and take care of inmates than all but one state in the country. The catch is it’s also #29 in public safety, so while the state works to stop repeat offenders, which is good, the overall crime rate is above the average. Hawaii remains a great state to visit, but living there can be difficult for most people.
Idaho
The good news is that Idaho is #5 in public safety, so you aren’t likely to be the victim of a crime; the downside is that at #37 in corrections outcomes, there are career criminals, and the prison system leaves a lot to be desired. Outside of Boise, the odds of being the victim of a violent crime are so low as to be insignificant.
Connecticut
The lowest-ranked of the New England states, Connecticut is #9 in public safety and #15 in corrections outcomes, both of which should be points of pride. Overall, the small seaside state is a great place to live and one of the safest places in the country.
Virginia
In the top ten for public safety at #8, Virginia is also #18 for corrections outcomes, which is how it landed at #7 on the list. Breaking down the crime rate places Virginia at #4 for violent crimes and #13 for property crime, both among the lowest in the country.
Rhode Island
The smallest state in the country is also one of the safest, as Rhode Island comes in at #17 for corrections outcomes and #6 for public safety. The state is at the bottom of the rankings for the best state, but it’s one of the best if you want to be safe and secure. Violent crime has fallen for the last two years and is expected to continue decreasing into the future.
New Jersey
The home of the New Jersey Turnpike is at #3 for public safety and #13 for corrections outcomes because exorbitant tolls are still not a crime. Once the fictional hotbed of mafia activity, New Jersey is now in the top five safest states in the country.
Massachusetts
Another New England state, Massachusetts, is #5 in corrections outcomes and #7 in public safety, reaching the top ten of each category. Boston, in particular, deserves credit, as the city is one of the ten safest in the country. The safest of all cities, however, is the town of Wayland, about thirty minutes east of Boston, and one of those picturesque towns everyone thinks of when they imagine New England.
Vermont
Vermont is the country’s third safest state and New England’s third safest state. A heavy investment in community policing and a high degree of community involvement across the state have been credited with keeping the crime rate so low. Only 20 homicides took place in Vermont last year, and that includes the only fatal police shooting that took place in the state.
Maine
At the top of the list for public safety, Maine is the safest state in the country, but it’s only #4 in corrections outcomes, so there’s some room for improvement. With a small, mostly rural population, residents of Maine are used to looking out for each other, which helps explain why the crime rate is so low.
New Hampshire
The Granite State is the best in the country for crime, as New Hampshire is #1 in corrections outcomes and #2 in public safety. Residents of New Hampshire are fiercely independent, and that streak includes respect for the community, helping to keep crime low, and when someone does offend, they are still supported. New Hampshire is the safest state in America.
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