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This is the safest city in America for 2026, and you can't get there by car

If you’re looking for peace of mind, way up North is where you want to be.

Gerrish Lopez
Written by
Gerrish Lopez
Time Out Contributor, US
Juneau, Alaska
Photograph: Shutterstock | Juneau, Alaska
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When you picture a safe city, you're probably picturing an oasis devoid of sketchy dark alleys, reckless drivers and the threat of natural disasters. But true safety is more than just avoiding physical hazards—there are plenty of other potential harms, including unaffordable mortgages, lack of healthcare, identity theft and inflation. To find out where Americans can truly rest easy, WalletHub compared over 180 cities across 41 key safety indicators, ranging from assault rates and natural disaster threats to unemployment figures and credit scores for its annual Safest Cities in America report. According to the numbers, if you want maximum peace of mind, you might need to invest in a heavy coat.

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Taking the top spot as America's safest city is Juneau, Alaska. Aside from offering breathtaking glacial views, Juneau boasts the lowest murder rate and lowest pedestrian fatality rate in the nation. It also logged zero recorded terrorist attacks over the past decade. It's somewhat inaccessible—you can only get there by plane or ferry as no highways lead into the city—so that offers an air of secluded comfort.

Mother Nature seems equally friendly in Juneau: the city holds the second-lowest risk for both floods and tornadoes, along with the seventh-lowest risk for wildfires. Financially, residents are on solid ground (or ice)—ranking 20th in annual employment growth and holding the ninth-highest median credit score nationwide.

Safest cities in America according to WalletHub
Photograph: Courtesy WalletHubSafest cities in America according to WalletHub

Taking second place overall, Warwick, Rhode Island, features the single lowest murder count of all 182 studied cities, along with remarkably low risks for hail, wildfires and tornadoes. It's also a financial haven, ranking fourth-lowest for uninsured residents and tenth-lowest for poverty. Coming in third, Overland, Kansas ranks high in road safety and wallet security. With a very low 3.5% unemployment rate, the fourth-highest median credit score and low mortgage strain, its residents enjoy top-tier retirement readiness and financial cushion.

Cities in the Midwest and on the East Coast stack the top ten safest cities in America, but if you're looking to really lower your blood pressure, a move to the far North might be in order.

The safest cities in America for 2026, according to WalletHub

  1. Juneau, AK
  2. Warwick, RI
  3. Overland Park, KS
  4. Burlington, VT
  5. South Burlington, VT
  6. Virginia Beach, VA
  7. Cedar Rapids, IA
  8. Casper, WY
  9. Boise, ID
  10. Yonkers, NY
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