Skipping Europe and staying Stateside this summer? Given the border delays and the growing anti-American sentiment across parts of the Atlantic, we don’t blame you for opting to stay on this side of the pond.
That’s not to say America is a complete no-brainer, either.
Depending on where on the West Coast you go these days, it might be worth checking local safety advice before booking, especially if you’re heading somewhere that’s recently made headlines for protests, property crime, or other public safety concerns.
Enough With The Guesswork
Thankfully, figuring out where you’ll feel most at ease is no longer just a guessing game.
Thanks to Vivint, a smart home security and automation company, we now have data to back it up. After analyzing the latest National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data compiled by the FBI, they’ve narrowed it down to the five safest cities in the U.S.
Wondering whether that summer escape you’ve been dreaming about made the list? Let’s find out.
West Palm Beach, FL
- Burglary: 72
- Larceny: 394
- Vehicle theft: 9
- Overall incidence of crime: 158*
*The FBI report in question is based on data collected between June and August 2024, with crime rates presented per 100,000 residents.
One of Florida’s fastest-growing destinations in recent years, West Palm Beach is Miami’s biggest challenger in the boating and upscale shopping department.
Its waterfront, straddling along the Intracoastal Waterway, is arguably among the most beautiful in the Sunshine State, with parks, scenic walking paths weaving past palm trees, and yacht-filled marinas. It’s the kind of place you set foot in and instantly think of Florida.
A short drive away, Palm Beach has pristine stretches of powdery sand, luxury resorts, and historic Gilded Age villas that ooze old-money glamour.
Ocean Drive who? Clematis Street is the ultimate Floridian hangout, with its lively bars, waterfront restaurants, and buzzing nightlife.
As far as safety goes, West Palm Beach doesn’t rank fifth here for no reason: the main tourist areas, particularly downtown, the waterfront, and Palm Beach Island, are well maintained, busy, and heavily patrolled.
Violent crime is concentrated in specific residential neighborhoods that tourists rarely visit, and the city has invested heavily in downtown revitalization, from better lighting and increased police presence to streetscape improvements over the past two decades.
Charleston, SC
- Burglary: 39
- Larceny: 376
- Vehicle theft: 53
- Overall incidence of crime: 156
For those truly giving Europe a miss this summer because of the new fingerprinting rules, Charleston, South Carolina is the next best thing.
It’s arguably the prettiest colonial-era city in the U.S., having remained largely untouched since the British left. Out with the uninspiring clusters of glass skyscrapers and bumper-to-bumper traffic: in with cobblestone streets, church steeples, and centuries-old heritage homes.
Rainbow Row just has to be one of the most photographed streets in America, and if you rent a car, you can drive out to explore beautiful antebellum mansions and historic plantations.
Charleston is also close to the Atlantic coast, so it boasts some excellent seafood. The undisputed star of Lowcountry cuisine? How about shrimp and grits? Or maybe she-crab soup? Either way, you can be the judge yourself by visiting 167 Raw, a local favorite in the historic downtown area known for its oysters and seafood.
How it gets to be fourth on this list, you ask?
Well, Charleston has a better reputation than many U.S. cities of a similar size: the historic peninsula, where nearly all visitors spend their time, is remarkably safe during the day, and even after dark, it’s generally comfortable with normal precautions.
Property crimes, however, are more common here than in some other cities mentioned, especially car break-ins. It’s best not to leave valuables visible in parked vehicles and to stick to well-lit areas when exploring at night.
How safe is Charleston, SC right now according to travelers?
It scores 86/100 on the Traveler Safety Index, based on reports from travelers who’ve been recently.
It’s one of the highest safety scores across major U.S. destinations:
Santa Barbara, CA
- Burglary: 42
- Larceny: 331
- Vehicle theft: 44
- Overall incidence of crime: 139
If Charleston is the closest you’ll get to Old World charm, Santa Barbara is that sneaky Mediterranean dupe.
Think Mediterranean-style architecture, with stucco-decorated, whitewashed buildings overlooking lively harbors, golden beaches that look like they’ve been pulled straight out of a postcard, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere framed by the dramatic Santa Ynez Mountains of Southern California.
The whole thing just screams Spain, even though it’s in the heart of the West Coast.
Where to go for dining and shopping?
Try State Street, where many of the best galleries, boutiques, and restaurants are located, including the legendary The Palace Grill, where you can enjoy seafood and classic American dishes while people-watching along one of the city’s liveliest streets.
Of course, no visit to Santa Barbara is complete without exploring the Santa Ynez Valley, a short drive away and known for its world-class vineyards, rolling hills, and boutique wineries.
Between the wine, the coastal scenery, and the timeless charm of Old Mission Santa Barbara, safety is one of the biggest selling points here compared to much of crime-ridden California. The main reason? It’s an affluent community, with high property values and a strong tourism-based economy.
Much of Santa Barbara has a quiet, residential feel, and urban violence is typically lower than in many similarly sized U.S. cities.
San Diego, CA
- Burglary: 41
- Larceny: 268
- Vehicle theft: 107
- Overall incidence of crime: 139
The Golden Coast’s ultimate beach city, San Diego is where Southern California glamour meets laid-back coastal living.
It’s known for having some of the best weather in the United States, with practically year-round sunshine and miles of beaches and turquoise coves to soak it all in, all within a stone’s throw of a bustling, skyscraper-dotted downtown that would give Miami, all the way over in Florida, a run for its money.
Don’t miss La Jolla Cove, where dramatic coastal cliffs plunge right into crystal-clear waters, Balboa Park, a huge cultural oasis filled with Spanish Revival buildings and lush Mediterranean-inspired gardens, and the iconic golden-sand Coronado Beach.
Despite being one of the largest cities in California, San Diego has a relatively low violent crime rate, benefiting from a strong tourism economy, a large military presence, its proximity to Mexico—the border is only about 20 miles from downtown—and stable, family-oriented communities.
Even the Gaslamp Quarter, the city’s hotspot for nightlife, and trendy Little Italy, San Diego’s response to New York’s famous neighbourhood, are surprisingly chill compared to many other major American cities.
Park City, UT
- Burglary: 24
- Larceny: 383
- Vehicle theft: 0
- Overall incidence of crime: 136
Possibly America’s most underrated mountain destination, Park City combines the charm of a historic mining town frozen in time with world-class outdoor recreation. It’s nestled in the heart of the Wasatch Range, after all, an alpine landscape often compared to Switzerland or Austria.
When you’re up in these mountains, it’s all wooden lodges, snow-capped peaks even in the height of summer, and that picturesque Main Street lined with art galleries and boutique shops that wouldn’t exactly look out of place in the Lauterbrunnen Valley across the pond.
If you’re visiting this summer, escape into the mountains for some good old-fashioned hiking, or maybe if you’re feeling adventurous, the trails are fantastic for mountain biking.
There are also plenty of scenic chairlift rides gliding over aspen and pine forests, and countless alpine meadows crisscrossed by crystal-clear streams to explore.
The best part? Whether you’re out in nature all day, or wandering through the historic downtown, lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings, you’ll rarely ever feel anything but at ease in Park City.
It’s officially the safest destination in the U.S. this season, thanks in part to its affluent population, that drives strong local investment and high-quality tourism—you’d better save up if you’re coming for a weekend stay in a mountainside retreat—and the fact it’s a relatively small city with a strong sense of community.
We’re talking no reported homicides, no robberies, and zero vehicle thefts reported during the relevant period.
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest travel news, straight to your inbox
