Where is the safest place to live in the United States?
The safest places in the U.S. often rank by low crime rates, with New Hampshire, Maine, Idaho, and Vermont frequently cited as top states, and cities like Johns Creek (GA), South Burlington (VT), and Warwick (RI) appearing as safest cities in various reports. Safety depends on metrics like violent/property crime, financial security, and disaster prep, with smaller towns often showing lower overall risk.
Irvine, CA and Virginia Beach, VA are the safest U.S. cities with 250,000 or more people in the U.S.
Gilbert, AZ, Plano, TX and Honolulu, HI are large U.S. metros (250,000+ residents) with violent crime rates below the national average (361 per 100,000 people).
The UK generally has lower rates of violent crime, especially gun-related incidents, compared to the U.S.. However, petty theft and property crime can be more noticeable in urban areas. Most expats find that with basic precautions, daily life feels safe and secure.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the safest country in the world, holding the top spot on the Global Peace Index (GPI) for many years, including 2024 and 2025, due to its low crime, lack of military, political stability, and strong community focus. Other top contenders often include Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, and Denmark, depending on the specific report's criteria, with Singapore also ranking highly for personal safety.
First and foremost, it's important to stay vigilant if you're walking alone at night. Being aware of your surroundings is essential for your personal safety, so put your phone in your pocket and keep your ears free of headphones.
North Carolina is home to two of the safest cities in the country, a new report finds. Charlotte ranks No. 9 and Raleigh is No. 10 on a list of places boasting lower rates of violent crime, traffic deaths and other dangers in comparison to other major cities, according to results updated on Sept.
– Maine is the most peaceful state in the U.S. for the 11th year in a row, Louisiana is the least peaceful. The Northeast continues to be the most peaceful region with three of the five most peaceful states. The South is once again the least peaceful region in America, with four of the five least peaceful states.
Mississippi has the highest homicide rate, while New Hampshire has the lowest. A table showing the age-adjusted homicide death rate and total homicides by state, for 2023. Mississippi has the highest homicide rate; New Hampshire has the lowest.
There's no single #1 state, as it depends on priorities, but recent studies highlight Massachusetts (health, education) and Utah (overall quality of life, economy) as top contenders, while others praise New Hampshire (low crime, quality of life) and Washington (no income tax, high quality of life). Your best state depends on what matters most: career, low costs, outdoor access, or education.
Nestled in Silicon Valley, California, is America's happiest city, according to WalletHub's 2025 rankings. Fremont, Calif., a suburb of San Jose, topped the list because its residents have high rates of emotional and physical well-being, and life satisfaction, in addition to higher incomes than the national average.
What is the most affordable city to buy a house in the US?
🏆 Pittsburgh just earned the title of #1 most affordable major city in America according to Realtor. com — and it's not just about low prices, it's about opportunity. With median home prices around $250,000 (well below coastal metro prices), Pittsburgh is where buying a home still makes sense.
Cities like Baltimore, Maryland, and Louisville, Kentucky, offer $1 homes as part of urban renewal programs, targeting vacant, city-owned properties for renovation by residents or developers, requiring significant investment in repairs (often $90k+) and commitment to living there for years, not just a cheap purchase. These initiatives, like Baltimore's BuyIntoBmore, aim to revitalize neighborhoods, but success depends on buyers meeting strict renovation and residency requirements, with grants sometimes available.
What is the least desirable place to live in the US?
Nashville and Tampa tie as the most desirable cities in 2025, each ranked in the top five by 22% of respondents. At the bottom, Washington, D.C. holds the least desirable spot for a third straight year. Meanwhile, 93% face barriers to moving, with 46% saying they can't afford it as average moving costs reach $2,050.
There's no single "best," as it depends on priorities, but Taiwan, South Korea, and Australia consistently rank at the top in recent global indices for overall performance, balancing infrastructure, costs, and outcomes. Other highly-rated systems include Singapore (efficiency/tech), Japan (quality), Canada, Sweden, and Netherlands, often praised for universal access, high quality, or specific strengths like preventative care, though rankings vary by report.
Where is the best place to move to outside the US?
Mexico and Canada stand out as the most popular destinations, offering accessible residency pathways, strong expat communities, and attractive lifestyles. Mexico, a top destination for Americans moving abroad, hosts around 1.2 million US citizens, according to the 2023 Association of Americans Resident Overseas data.
