America's Best Suburbs for Safe Living: Where to Find Lower Crime and What To Budget

Safety remains a top priority for families considering suburban life, and for good reason. While suburbs in america have traditionally been viewed as safer alternatives to urban centers, the landscape is shifting. Crime statistics show that suburban areas aren’t immune to rising criminal activity. However, certain communities across the United States have maintained significantly lower crime rates while offering affordable or premium living options.

To identify the safest communities, SmartAsset analyzed 360 towns positioned within 45 minutes of major metropolitan areas, evaluating violent crime rates per capita, property crime incidents, drug overdose deaths, traffic fatalities, and substance abuse patterns. The findings reveal a diverse range of best suburbs in america—from Texas to Utah to the Northeast—each balancing safety with distinct cost-of-living profiles.

Top Tier: Premium Safe Communities

Lehi, Utah - #1 Safest

This Utah destination tops the rankings with impressive security metrics. Violent crime registers at 0.0072 per capita, while property crime stands at 0.0158 per capita. Median household income reaches $125,860, requiring approximately $108,720 annually for a family of four. Lehi represents an excellent option among best suburbs in america for those seeking both safety and manageable living expenses.

Bethesda, Maryland - #2

Bethesda emerges as an affluent choice with minimal property crime at 0.0197 per capita and violent crime at 0.0014 per capita. The area commands a median household income of $191,348, with families of four needing $205,560 annually to maintain this lifestyle. This represents one of the most secure suburban environments nationwide.

Great Falls, Virginia - #3

Great Falls demonstrates exceptional safety credentials with the lowest violent crime rate at 0.0004 per capita and property crime at just 0.0032 per capita. However, this security comes at a premium: median household income exceeds $250,000, requiring $268,920 yearly for a family of four. This enclave represents the apex of exclusive, secure suburban living in america.

Mid-Range Safe Alternatives

Rockville, Maryland - #4

Offering a more accessible entry point into secure suburban communities, Rockville presents violent crime at 0.0064 per capita and property crime at 0.0198 per capita. Median household income stands at $122,384, with families needing $108,360 annually.

Dacula, Georgia - #5

Georgia’s safest suburb showcases excellent crime statistics: 0.0017 violent crimes and 0.0062 property crimes per capita. The median household income of $74,900 requires $82,800 annually for a family of four—making this among the most affordable best suburbs in america.

Buford, Georgia - #6

Buford continues Georgia’s strong showing with 0.0028 violent crime and 0.0092 property crime per capita. The median income is $71,598, needing $82,800 yearly for family expenses.

Emerging Safe Communities

Layton, Utah - #7

This Utah town features 0.0126 violent crime and 0.0267 property crime per capita. With median household income at $99,188 and required annual spending of $91,080, Layton offers balanced safety and affordability.

Edgewater, New Jersey - #8

Edgewater boasts outstanding violent crime statistics at just 0.0006 per capita, though property crime reaches 0.0142 per capita. Median household income stands at $137,847, requiring $122,400 annually for a family of four.

McKinney, Texas - #9

McKinney’s metrics show 0.0059 violent crime and 0.0152 property crime per capita. With median household income of $120,273 and required annual income of $96,480, this Texas suburb proves increasingly popular among safety-conscious families.

Frisco, Texas - #10

Rounding out the list, Frisco presents 0.0052 violent crime and 0.0215 property crime per capita. The median household income reaches $146,158, with families needing $125,280 annually.

Geographic Patterns in America’s Safest Suburbs

Analysis reveals that Texas communities, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth corridor, dominate the rankings alongside Utah and Georgia options. These best suburbs in america offer varying affordability levels, from Dacula and Buford’s sub-$100,000 annual requirements to Great Falls’ quarter-million-dollar household incomes. Geographic location, combined with local law enforcement investment and community demographics, appears to influence safety outcomes significantly.

The data demonstrates that finding safe, secure suburban living in america need not require extreme wealth, though premium communities do exist. Families should evaluate their financial capacity alongside their safety priorities when selecting from these top-performing communities.