Vermont ranks as the safest state in the U.S., based on neighborhood safety, a low unemployment rate and safe roads, according to an Oct. 6 ranking from WalletHub.
Nearly 3 in 4 parents in Vermont said they live in safe neighborhoods — the fourth-highest share in the U.S. The state also has one of the lowest unemployment rates at 2.3%, the second-best road quality and the 11th-fewest traffic fatalities per 100 million miles traveled.
The “Safest States in America 2025” list was determined by comparing states across five categories: personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety and emergency preparedness. Each state was evaluated using 52 metrics graded on a 100-point scale, with a weighted average used to determine overall scores.
The workplace safety category included metrics such as injuries and illnesses per 10,000 full-time workers and the presence of Occupational Safety and Health Act plans. Hospitals and health systems have recently increased efforts to improve workplace safety and reduce violence, including creating their own police forces. Several states have also passed or proposed legislation in 2025 focused on healthcare workforce safety.
Here are the 10 safest and least safe states in the U.S., according to WalletHub:
10 safest
1. Vermont
2. Massachusetts
3. New Hampshire
4. Maine
5. Utah
6. Connecticut
7. Hawaii
8. Minnesota
9. Rhode Island
10. Wyoming
10 least safe
50. Louisiana
49. Mississippi
48. Texas
47. Florida
46. Arkansas
45. Oklahoma
44. Colorado
43. Alabama
42. Georgia
41. Missouri
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