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In a country as large as the US and with as many universities as it has, we’ve questioned and answered a lot of things that international students may be curious about.
From the smartest US cities to the coldest states, we’re now ready to address this all-important question for international students: what are America’s safest cities?
To answer this, we have to talk about crime. In this aspect, there’s good news — crime rates dropped as much as 12% across various cities in early 2024. Some cities saw even greater reduction in crime — though beware that the inverse is also true.
But crime is by far not the only thing you need to think of.
In 2024, there’s something wilder and more unpredictable that can cause upwards of millions in damage that needs to be factored in — that is, natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and wildfires.
The Palisades and Eaton fires of the January 2025 Southern California wildfires rank among the deadliest and most destructive fires in California’s history. Source: AFP
How climate change is affecting students
The January 2025 Southern California wildfires destroyed more than 12,000 homes, apartment buildings, businesses, and other structures. Several higher education institutions, including UCLA, Pasadena City College, Pepperdine University, and Occidental College, either temporarily closed campuses or moved to remote instruction.
UCLA’s Residential Life estimated that over 5,000 students voluntarily left their dorms to seek safety elsewhere despite the lack of evacuation warning. International students, in particular, had to rely on other local friends or scramble to seek temporary accommodation elsewhere.
Now, with the fires officially contained, it’s a matter of returning to life as it was — or attempt to, at least.
Luckily, schools, the community, and even the students are trying their hardest to help smoothen the process.
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California State University, Los Angeles is providing the Golden Eagles LA Fires Recovery Fund, which will help faculty, staff, and students who live in neighbourhoods affected by the fires and are in critical need. Counselling and Psychological Services will also have special “triage hours” for students who need mental health support.
CALPIRG at UCLA, a campus organisation focused on public interest advocacy, is teaming up with other student-led organisations to host a donation drive. Similar cases are popping up throughout Los Angeles too.
As reassuring as this is, it’s still best if you’d never had your life upended by any disaster.
Some think America’s safest cities can offer that, sparing them from crime and natural disasters.
Is this wishful thinking or the truth?
People affected by the LA wildfires receive aid and resources during an essentials distribution event at Dodger Stadium on January 17, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Source: AFP
Being safe means a lot of things
“When people think about safety in a city, their minds probably immediately go to things like the crime rate, auto fatality rate, or risk of natural disasters,” analyst Chip Lupo says.
“The safest cities in America protect residents from these threats of bodily harm and property damage, but on top of that, they also help secure people’s financial safety … Financial safety includes things like minimising the risk of fraud and identity theft, keeping the population employed and insured, and combating homelessness.”
South Burlington in Vermont tops that list for having the lowest unemployment rate in the country, at 1.9%.
It also has one of the lowest shares of underwater mortgages, and very few people have filed for bankruptcy recently.
Additionally, cities that are not as popular and swarming with busy bees, like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, are often considered safer because of their lower population density, which leads to fewer crime opportunities, greater community awareness, and a slower pace of life.
Oklahoma City has higher violent and property crime rates than the national average. Source: AFP
The same cannot be said for the likes of Oklahoma City, however.
Despite being one of the least populated large cities, Oklahoma City has higher violent and property crime rates than the national average.
The city’s local news site, Oklahoma City Sentinel, reports that it has the unfortunate history of having been number one in incarceration in the world for the last generation. Still, this statistic does not necessarily correlate with the crime rate here.
What these news reports tell us is being safe can mean many things. But if you’re looking for America’s safest cities in terms of low crime rates and natural disasters, then check out our list below:
America’s safest cities
With an average temperature of 43.2°F (6.2°C), Vermont is also one of the coldest states in the US. Source: AFP
South Burlington, Vermont
South Burlington is often considered the safest city in the US because of its outdoor access, sustainability initiatives, and low crime rates. It also has the lowest unemployment rate, as previously mentioned.
The city is relatively safe from natural disasters, with the 14th-lowest risk of flooding, the 21st-lowest risk of tornadoes, and the 31st-lowest risk of wildfires. Over the past 40 years, only 19 confirmed weather/climate disaster events have happened in the state.
Located near the Burlington International Airport and the award-winning University of Vermont Medical Centre, with scenic spots like Red Rocks Park and Lake Champlain, the city is where modern convenience meets a love for the outdoors.
Casper, Wyoming
Casper scores high for pedestrian and neighbourhood safety, as it has one of the lowest pedestrian fatality rates in the nation.
According to Numbeo studies, people here feel safe walking alone both during the day and night, making it one of America’s safest cities.
Since 1950, Casper has experienced no more than 200 weather extremes events within 80 kilometres of the city.
Students looking to study here can attend Casper College, overlooking the foothills of Casper Mountain, or the University of Wyoming, which has a campus located in this city.
Yonkers is widely known for its luxury waterfront lifestyle. Source: AFP
Warwick, Rhode Island
The historic coastal city of Warwick has more boat slips, moorings, and marine services than any other community on the island.
It ranks third safest city in the country mostly because of its financial security. It has one of the lowest poverty levels and a strong employment rate compared to other cities.
Though, from 1980 to 2024, there were 33 confirmed natural disasters that struck Rhode Island. Warwick, being situated along the state coastline, puts them at a higher risk of hurricanes and stormy weather.
Getting here is easy too, with transportation access like the Rhode Island TF Green International Airport and the Interlink being nearby.
These can take you to the Community College of Rhode Island Knight Campus, which is the only institution in Warwick. Rhode Islanders enrol for free, while outsiders get to pay the lowest tuition and fees in the state.
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers’s proximity to the Bronx might give off a negative impression regarding safety, but the city is actually one of America’s safest. It has a low crime rate because of its large law enforcement and firefighter population, with 689 and 460 in the workforce, respectively.
The city is widely known for its luxury waterfront lifestyle with scenic views of the Hudson River and Palisades.
Its location near New York City also makes it appealing, allowing international students to experience the concrete jungles where dreams are made without being overwhelmed by city life.
However, these concrete jungles are what make Yonkers hot, literally. People here are especially likely to experience increased risks from precipitation, heat, and drought.
Columbia, Maryland
Out of all the cities in the US, Columbia is regarded first for home and community safety. This is because of its low violent and petty crime rate and having plenty of EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement personnel, and firefighters in the area.
Columbia also has a strong sense of community, which is why families in the US agree that it is one of the best places to live in the country and definitely the best in Maryland, according to Livability.
However, Columbia’s risk of tornadoes and severe storms is a little on the higher side, with 85 events reported since 1980.
Columbia’s proximity to Baltimore and Washington, D.C., opens up employment opportunities in diverse fields such as cybersecurity, health, public administration, and others. Tenable and MedStar Health are among the companies headquartered in Columbia.
Portland has a coastal charm that exudes peaceful living. Source: AFP
Portland, Maine
Located on the southeast coast of Maine, Portland has become a popular destination for those seeking a scenic and safe place to reside. Having little to almost no natural disasters, the city has a coastal charm that exudes peaceful living.
That being said, Maine is a coastal state, so expect tropical storms and hurricanes around the city. This typically happens between May and November of each year.
Portland is a community-first city renowned for its cutting-edge research in community health, so majors in healthcare and nursing are popular. The best places to jump into your university life? Try the Maine College of Art & Design, the University of Maine School of Law, the University of New England, and the University of Southern Maine.
Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua’s crime rate is noticeably lower than the average for cities of similar size to a point where CBS News even considered it the second-safest city in America.
Localised flooding occurs every five to 10 years, which can impact roadways and property. The most significant regular events are snow and ice events, which can cause power outages for a week at most.
The community bond at Nashua is strong as individuals and neighbourhood watch work with the police to prevent and reduce crime.
At the heart of the city is Holman Stadium, a baseball stadium that can accommodate over 3,000 fans. It is home to the city’s collegiate summer baseball team, the Nashua Silver Knights, and also hosts galas, benefits, carnivals, and concerts.
