SmartAsset Ranks Five Safest Midsize US Cities for 2026

In 2026, SmartAsset identified the five safest midsize cities in the U.S., evaluating over 300 locations with populations ranging from 65,000 to 250,000. The analysis incorporated FBI crime statistics, CDC traffic death records, and FEMA's disaster risk index to formulate a safety score. Broomfield, Colorado, emerged as the safest city, boasting the lowest FEMA disaster risk score, a violent crime rate of 1.48 per 1,000 residents, and a property crime rate of 18.56 per 1,000. Following closely is State College, Pennsylvania, with a violent crime rate of 1.53 per 1,000 and property crime at 7.64 per 1,000, alongside an auto fatality rate of 7.63 per 100,000. Warwick, Rhode Island, ranks third, featuring the lowest violent crime rate at 0.79 per 1,000 and property crime at 11.47 per 1,000. Ames, Iowa, comes in fourth with a violent crime rate of 1.48 per 1,000 and the top-rated auto fatality rate of 4.51 per 100,000. Finally, Logan, Utah, completes the list with a violent crime rate of 1.37 per 1,000 and property crime at 11.3 per 1,000, but has the highest auto fatality rate at 8.68 per 100,000. Each city enjoys advantages such as consolidated governance (Broomfield), university influence (State College, Ames, Logan), or low crime despite being near transportation hubs (Warwick).