A 2025 analysis by personal finance company WalletHub identifies Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire as the safest states in the US. The study reveals a strong correlation between safety and higher median home prices, with safety serving as a key driver of housing demand and property values. This article breaks down the key safety metrics and explores what makes these top states stand out.
How Was Safety Measured in This Report?
WalletHub's analysis evaluated all 50 states using 52 key indicators across five distinct categories, each graded on a 100-point scale. The total score for each state is a weighted combination of these metrics.
- Personal & Residential Safety (40% of score): This most heavily weighted category goes beyond crime rates. It also considers the number of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs per capita, recognizing that the speed of emergency response is critical.
- Financial Safety (20% of score): This category assessed the state's unemployment rate, fraud and poverty rates, and the percentage of adults with sufficient savings.
- Road Safety (20% of score): Metrics included traffic, pedestrian, and bicyclist fatalities, the share of uninsured drivers, and overall road quality.
- Workplace Safety (10% of score): This was based on workplace fatalities, median days lost to injuries, and the presence of occupational safety laws.
- Emergency Preparedness (10% of score): This focused on the frequency and financial loss from major climate disasters (costing $1 billion or more) from 1980 to 2024.
The Top 10 Safest States and Their Real Estate Markets
The top-performing states are predominantly in the Northeast, a region characterized by greater wealth, stricter gun control, higher education rates, and lower susceptibility to extreme weather.
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Vermont
- Total Score: 67.22
- Median Home Price: $509,000
Vermont claimed the top spot primarily due to its #1 rankings in both financial safety and road safety. The state has an unemployment rate of just 2.3%, the lowest share of underwater mortgages in the country, and the second-best road quality. Nearly 75% of parents believe they live in a safe neighborhood.
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Massachusetts
- Total Score: 66.56
- Median Home Price: $759,999
This New England state ranks as one of the most expensive—and safest—in the country. It shines in financial safety, with workers enjoying the third-best job security and the state having the fourth-best annual growth rate for new jobs.
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New Hampshire
- Total Score: 65.75
- Median Home Price: $595,000
The Granite State excels in personal safety (#2) and financial safety (#2). It has the fewest murders per capita and the second-highest median credit score (749) in the U.S. Notably, 79% of residents feel safe in their neighborhoods, the highest percentage nationwide.
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Maine
- Total Score: 64.69
- Median Home Price: $475,000
Maine scored highly for emergency preparedness (#2) and personal safety (#5), with very few major climate disasters and a low crime rate.
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Utah
- Total Score: 62.88
- Median Home Price: $595,000
Utah ranked high in emergency preparedness and workplace safety (#5), with low incidents of natural disasters and occupational injuries.
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Connecticut
- Total Score: 62.25
- Median Home Price: $534,000
Connecticut ranked #1 in personal and residential safety. Community initiatives, such as adding speed bumps and expanding bicycle lanes, contribute to a family-friendly and secure environment.
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Hawaii
- Total Score: 61.52
- Median Home Price: $750,000
Hawaii's highest rank was in financial safety (#11), with strong scores in unemployment, foreclosure rates, and residents' median credit score.
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Minnesota
- Total Score: 61.25
- Median Home Price: $395,000
Minnesota is a standout for affordability, being the only top-10 state with a median home price below the national average of $425,000. It ranks #2 in road safety and #5 in financial safety.
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Rhode Island
- Total Score: 60.17
- Median Home Price: $583,950
This small state ranked #8 in both personal safety and emergency preparedness, indicating low crime rates and low risk from natural disasters.
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Wyoming
- Total Score: 59.04
- Median Home Price: $492,500
Wyoming's highest mark was in personal safety (#14), with low crime rates and a robust number of first responders per capita.
Why Safety Is a Major Driver of Home Values
Safety is a critical factor in real estate because it directly impacts both resident security and financial stability. According to our experience assessment, safety and wealth often create a mutually reinforcing cycle.
- Higher Demand: "Areas perceived as safe tend to attract higher demand, which in turn drives up home prices," explains Hannah Jones, a senior economic research analyst. Factors like ample street lighting, walkability, and neighborhood upkeep contribute to this perception.
- Investment in Infrastructure: Wealthier, safer states have more funds to invest in infrastructure maintenance, emergency services, and health systems, which further enhances safety and livability.
- Livability Premium: Safety is a key driver of livability, and livable areas consistently command stronger housing demand. Households increasingly seek out community-oriented neighborhoods that provide both comfort and security.
Key Takeaways for Home Buyers
When evaluating a location, prospective buyers should consider safety as a multi-faceted metric. Beyond crime statistics, factors like financial security of the population, road quality, and emergency preparedness are significant indicators of a community's long-term stability and resilience. Be prepared for a premium on home prices in the safest states, as the data confirms that safety and housing costs are closely linked.
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