Finding the safest cities for women in the United States involves more than just looking at crime statistics. Women face unique safety considerations when choosing where to live, work, and raise families. We identified the five safest cities for women based on violent crime rates, women’s health and safety, and overall quality of life.
Keep on reading to find out the key safety indicators in cities for women, the top 5 safest cities for women in the United States, and how to evaluate city safety for your needs.
Key safety indicators in cities for women
When evaluating the safest places to live for women, several critical factors beyond low crime statistics come into play. Research from multiple sources, including the FBI, Census Bureau, and WalletHub, shows that certain characteristics consistently appear in cities where women feel most secure.
Violent Crime Rates
Cities with low rates of rape, aggravated assault, and domestic violence provide better protection for women. The national violent crime rate stands at approximately 359 per 100,000 residents, but the safest cities for women report significantly lower numbers.
Property Crime Statistics
While property crimes affect all residents, they significantly impact how safe women feel in their neighborhoods. The safest cities in America maintain property crime rates well below the national average of 1,760 per 100,000 people. However, even in the safest communities, taking proactive steps to protect your home provides invaluable peace of mind.
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Healthcare Access
Access to quality women’s healthcare, including reproductive health services, preventive screenings, and specialized care, correlates strongly with overall safety and well-being.
Economic Opportunity
Cities with median household incomes above $100,000 and poverty rates below 5% consistently rank among the safest for women. Cities offering equal pay, strong employment opportunities for women, and family-friendly workplace policies create environments where women can thrive independently.
Population Size
The safest cities typically have populations under 300,000, allowing for stronger community bonds and more effective neighborhood watch programs. Smaller populations correlate with lower crime rates and higher reporting of suspicious activities (our ranking only considers cities with populations over 100,000 for the sake of relevance, but even so, there is a strong link between crime rate and population density)
Top 5 safest cities for women in the United States
Based on comprehensive analysis from multiple safety rankings, these cities represent the safest places to live in America today as a woman:
1. Columbia, Maryland: #1 City for Women Overall
Columbia, Maryland claims the top position as America’s safest and best city for women. This planned community in Howard County excels across virtually every metric that matters to women’s safety and success.
- WalletHub Overall Score: 81.88 out of 100
- Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being Rank: #1
- Women’s Health Care & Safety Rank: #5
- Population: ~104,000
- Median Earnings for Women (Adjusted): $61,778 (highest in the nation)
- Women’s Poverty Rate: 8.2% (8th-lowest nationally)
- Women’s Unemployment Rate: 4.0% (34th-lowest)
While Columbia does experience some property crime, violent crime rates remain relatively low compared to national averages. The city’s economic prosperity, strong community, and comprehensive victim services contribute to women’s overall safety.
2. Seattle, Washington: Economic powerhouse for women
This city combines strong economic opportunities with excellent healthcare access and lower-than-average rates of violence against women.
- WalletHub Overall Score: 76.22
- Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being Rank: #7
- Women’s Health Care & Safety Rank: #11
- Population: ~750,000
- Median Earnings for Women (Adjusted): $47,792 (19th-highest)
- Women’s Poverty Rate: 11% (23rd-lowest)
- Women’s Uninsured Rate: 3.5% (10th-lowest)
Seatle has a lower prevalence of rape victimization compared to most major cities, a critical factor in women’s safety. The city also has strong protections for women’s reproductive rights, anti-discrimination laws, and robust support services for domestic violence survivors. Only 11% of women in Seattle live in poverty, well below the national average, and just 3.5% of women in Seattle lack health insurance.
3. Overland Park, Kansas: Outstanding life expectancy for women
- WalletHub Overall Score: 72.83
- Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being Rank: #2
- Women’s Health Care & Safety Rank: #58
- Population: ~202,000
- Women’s Life Expectancy: 83+ years (among highest nationally)
- Women’s Poverty Rate: 2nd-lowest in the nation
- Median Earnings for Women (Adjusted): 2nd-highest nationally
- Women’s Unemployment Rate: 3.6% (20th-lowest)
Overland Park excels in women’s health outcomes with life expectancy for women exceeds 83 years (among top in nation).This family-friendly community also combines financial stability with low crime rates, and has the fourth-highest employer-based retirement plan access rate.
4. Raleigh, North Carolina: Balanced safety and opportunity
Raleigh offers women a balance of economic opportunity, relatively affordable living, and Southern quality of life.
- WalletHub Overall Score: 70.02
- Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being Rank: #6
- Women’s Health Care & Safety Rank: #64
- Population: ~470,000
- Growing Economic Hub: Strong job market for women in education, healthcare, technology
Compared to Seattle or coastal California cities, Raleigh offers significantly lower cost of living while maintaining quality employment opportunities for women. The city also maintains active community policing, well-lit neighborhoods, and strong victim support services for women experiencing violence.
5. South Burlington, Vermont: Healthcare excellence
South Burlington claims the #2 position nationally for women’s healthcare and safety, demonstrating that smaller cities can provide outstanding support for women.
- WalletHub Overall Score: 69.77
- Women’s Economic & Social Well-Being Rank: #59
- Women’s Health Care & Safety Rank: #2
- Population: ~20,000
- Women’s Uninsured Rate: Lowest in the nation
- Healthcare Access: Exceptional quality and accessibility
Vermont consistently leads in women’s rights, healthcare access, and safety protections. South Burlington benefits from lower crime rates typical of smaller populations, and safe public spaces and parks.
What makes these cities safe? Common Characteristics
The safest cities reveal several shared attributes, from strong financial stability to community engagement. A safe city is one where you not only have low crime risk, but where women can thrive personally and professionally.
Safe cities consistently show: Low poverty rates (typically under 10%), high median household incomes, strong employment opportunities, and affordable housing relative to income.
The safest cities invest heavily in: Well-funded police departments, emergency medical services (EMTs and paramedics), mental health services, homeless services and shelters, and social support programs.
Quality Education Systems: Highly rated public schools contribute to its family-friendly, safe atmosphere with reduced youth crime, strong property values, family stability, and community investment.
How to evaluate city safety for your needs
When evaluating a city’s safety, look beyond overall crime rates. Check out violent crime rate (like murder, assault, rape), property crime rate (burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft), and trends over time to know if it’s improving or worsening.
Financial health strongly affects safety. Cities with poverty rates under 10% and low unemployment consistently rank safer. Key indicators include unemployment rate, median household income, housing affordability, and business growth.
Healthcare access matters for community wellbeing. Evaluate the number of hospitals and trauma centers, EMT and paramedic availability per capita, the percentage of uninsured residents, and mental health services.
Transportation safety is often overlooked but crucial. Examine pedestrian fatality rates, traffic accident rates, uninsured motorists, public transportation safety, and bicycle infrastructure.
FAQ
What is the safest big city in the US?
San Jose, California is the safest major city (1 million+ population) in America, with the third-fewest violent crimes and fifth-fewest property crimes per capita among the 50 largest cities.
Do these rankings change year to year?
Yes. Warwick jumped from #3 in 2024 to #1 in 2025. Cities can improve or decline based on crime trends, economic conditions, and policy changes.
How do I check if my city is safe?
Visit the FBI Crime Data Explorer, NeighborhoodScout, or your local police department website for current crime statistics. Compare your city’s rates to national averages (violent crime: 359 per 100,000; property crime: ~1,800 per 100,000).
What state has the safest cities?
The Northeast (Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts) and Midwest (Kansas) states dominate safety rankings. Texas also has multiple safe major cities (Fort Worth, Arlington, El Paso).
Conclusion
The safest cities in America share common characteristics: financial stability, strong community engagement, comprehensive public services, and thoughtful urban planning. The good news: violent crime continues trending downward nationally, and more cities are implementing evidence-based safety strategies. With proper research, you can find a safe community that matches your lifestyle, career goals, and budget.
Remember that statistics provide valuable guidance, but visiting potential cities, talking with residents, and trusting your instincts are equally important. The safest city for you is one where you not only have low crime risk, but where you can thrive personally and professionally.