Getty Images
Whether worries about crime, inflation, a recession, climate disasters, or another COVID-19 outbreak keep you up at night, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if there’s any place in the world right now where you can feel safe. While no locale is entirely free of all dangers, it turns out that certain states keep their residents safer than others.
WalletHub has just released the 2022 iteration of its Safest States in America report, where it sized up all 50 states based on how well protected its population is against a vast variety of threats. Yes, the traditional dangers were assessed, including the frequency of assaults, car accidents, and natural disasters. But so were less obvious perils such as debt levels, the presence of an emergency fund for unforeseen problems, and the percentage of the population who possess health insurance and are fully vaccinated.
Based on 53 variables, the state with bragging rights as the safest of all is Vermont!
“The state has few murders, thefts, and assaults. Plus, it has some of the most active firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and neighborhood watch groups per capita,” explains WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez.
Financial safety is also key to being No. 1, she adds. “Vermont has very few people without health insurance, quite low unemployment and foreclosure rates, as well as few identity theft complaints and personal bankruptcies.”
In fact, six states in the New England area made the top 10 this year, so those seeking a secure environment might consider heading northeast.
Safest states in America
Some of the reasons that New England stands out include its low crime rates, including the fewest murders and manslaughters per capita (New Hampshire’s is lowest) and the fewest thefts (Massachusetts wins this category).
At the other end of the spectrum, Louisiana was dubbed the most dangerous state. While the Pelican State has lots to offer (New Orleans!), it’s also home to some of the worst drivers in the nation, with some of the biggest fatality numbers behind the wheel, as well as high incidences of assault and money lost to climate disasters.
As for surprises within the report, Gonzalez points to the poor showing Florida made.
___
Watch: The 10 Very Best U.S. Cities for Homebuyers
___
“We would have expected this state to rank higher, especially since it has a small number of hate crimes per capita and high job security,” she says of Florida.
Sadly, road safety and few households with an emergency fund combined to sink the Sunshine State.
“A large number of mass shootings and sex offenders in the area plus a small number of EMTs and paramedics per capita also contributed to the lack of overall safety, especially in schools,” adds Gonzalez.
Rebecca Rouse, professor of emergency security studies at Tulane University and WalletHub expert commentator, urges future homebuyers to list their priorities and then consider the trade-offs they might be willing to make.
“For example, living close to schools may encourage their kids to walk and bike there, but it also requires them to be cautious about traffic and safety on the way,” she says.
Most dangerous states in America
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
- Texas
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Florida
- Missouri
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
The post America’s Safest—and Most Dangerous—States Today May Come as a Huge Surprise appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.