New York City has been ranked a disappointing 117th safest city in the United States for 2025, according to a recent WalletHub report evaluating over 180 cities nationwide, the New York Post reports. The ranking considers 41 safety indicators including violent crime rates, traffic fatalities, financial security, vulnerability to natural disasters, and healthcare access. Despite its significant police presence and some crime improvements, New York City falls into the lower half of the safety rankings, highlighting broader safety concerns beyond just crime, such as economic stability and infrastructure resilience.
The report emphasizes that modern urban safety encompasses many dimensions beyond avoiding street crime, including protection against fraud, financial security, and access to healthcare. According to The Post, New York City’s steep cost of living threatens residents’ financial security, affecting housing affordability and healthcare access, which worsens overall safety perceptions. Inflation, rising mortgage rates, and economic uncertainty further impact the city’s safety score, extending beyond typical crime statistics.
While New York City remains safer than some major U.S. cities, including places like New Orleans, Memphis, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, its ranking at 117th shows it has fallen well behind many other metro areas. The least safe cities typically face high violent crime rates combined with poverty, low credit access, and unemployment issues. On the other hand, mid-sized cities with strong financial health and low crime top the safety lists.
The top five safest cities in the U.S., according to the report, included Warwick, RI; Overland Park, KS; Burlington, VT; Juneau, AK; and Yonkers, NY.
Although New York City is not among the safest urban areas this year, it managed to avoid the lowest rankings. The city’s challenges include not only conventional crime but also economic and infrastructural vulnerabilities that collectively affect residents’ safety and quality of life.
