Traveling comes with its fair share of risks, though knowledge can offer peace of mind during your travels. In view of this, personal finance site WalletHub analyzed 182 U.S. cities to determine the safest ones to visit (and live in). The study looked at 41 metrics across three categories: home and community safety (such as the number of assaults or traffic fatalities per capita), risk of natural disaster (earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes), and financial safety (poverty rate, fraud complaints per capita). Take a look at the 10 safest U.S. cities for travelers in 2026.

10. Salem, Oregon

Oregon’s capital ranks as the 10th-safest U.S. city in the WalletHub report. Salem has a low risk of any natural disasters (13th-lowest of the 182 cities in the report), and it also scored highly in the financial safety and home and community categories.

When visiting Salem, be sure to pop by the Oregon State Capitol, a National Historic Landmark dedicated in 1938. The surrounding Willamette Valley is also home to a thriving wine region and craft brewery scene.

9. Lewiston, Maine

After Portland, Lewiston is the second-most-populous city in Maine. While Lewiston ranks No. 63 in terms of home and community safety, it was the fourth-best city in the study for natural disaster risk and the second-best for financial safety.

Birders will love Lewiston’s Throncrag Bird Sanctuary, a 450-acre preserve located in the heart of the city. You’ll also find Bates College, which is known for its art museum displaying modern and contemporary art.

8. Columbia, Maryland

Columbia, Maryland, may not be as popular with tourists as nearby Baltimore or Washington, D.C., but it’s one of the safest places in the U.S. to visit. Ranking No. 8 in the study overall, Columbia had the second-highest score in the community category and ranked 11th in terms of natural disaster risk.

While Columbia is only a 30-minute drive to Baltimore and an hour from D.C., it’s worth a visit in its own right. Wander the scenic lakefront trails along the shores of Lake Kittamaqundi and pop into popular eateries such as the Blackwell Barn & Lodge to try some delicious Maryland crab.

7. South Burlington, Vermont

South Burlington is another Northeastern city with a low risk of natural disaster, but the city also earned high marks for financial safety in the WalletHub study.

Hiking trails are a highlight in South Burlington. Red Rocks Park offers paths that take you to the shores of Lake Champlain (the 13th-largest freshwater lake in the country), while Overlook Park lives up to its name with majestic views of the lake from above.

6. Casper, Wyoming

Casper is hours from the nearest major city, making this quite the remote destination. But if you’re willing to venture off the beaten path, you’ll be rewarded with a safe, comfortable city to visit. While Casper ranks a modest 51st in terms of home and community safety, it scored seventh for financial safety and fifth for its low risk of natural disasters.

No visit to Casper is complete without checking out the Tate Geological Museum, which has over 6,000 fossil and mineral specimens. The star of the show is Dee, an 11,600-year-old Columbian mammoth skeleton that’s considered one of the largest and most complete fossils of its kind in North America.

5. Yonkers, New York

Yonkers is located due north of New York City in Westchester County. While it may lack the famous attractions that are just a stone’s throw away in the Big Apple, it holds appeal as a safe, family-friendly place to visit. Yonkers ranks third in the nation in the study’s home and community safety category.

While Yonkers is just a quick 40-minute train ride to midtown Manhattan via the Metro North train, before heading into the city, consider visiting the Untermyer Park and Gardens to gaze upon stunning foliage, testing your luck at Empire City Casino, or having a blast with the kids at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center.

4. Juneau, Alaska

Alaska’s capital city ranks as the fourth-safest city in the nation, led by its low risk of natural disasters. (Nearby Anchorage also shines in this particular category.)

Attractions worth seeing in Juneau include the 377-foot Nugget Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the state, and the Mendenhall Glacier, the only glacier in southeast Alaska accessible by road. Also be sure to book a whale-watching tour, as the region offers some of the best whale-watching opportunities in the country.

3. Burlington, Vermont

No, it’s not déjà vu — while Burlington borders South Burlington, it’s a separate city. The O.G. Burlington not only scores top marks for community safety, but also has a low risk of natural disasters such as wildfires and flooding.

While in Burlington, be sure to stop by ECHO, the state’s science and nature museum on the stunning shores of Lake Champlain. After visiting the museum, take a ride down the 7.5-mile-long Burlington Bike Path or stop into the Church Street Marketplace for local finds.

2. Overland Park, Kansas

Pedestrians and motorists alike can feel at ease in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City. Overland Park has the 21st-lowest rate of uninsured motorists in the country, as well as the 15th-lowest rate of traffic fatalities and the fifth-lowest pedestrian fatality rate, all of which make it highly safe to visit.

If you’re a foodie, you can indulge in some of the delicious barbecue that the Kansas City area is known for. (There’s arguably no better place to grab some ribs than at Q39 South.) Other must-visit sites include the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and the Johnson County Museum, where you’ll find the 1950s All-Electric House — a restored midcentury home meant to showcase the “house of the future,” according to those who lived in the 1950s.

1. Warwick, Rhode Island

The safest city in the U.S., according to the WalletHub report, is Warwick, Rhode Island. Located south of Providence, the state’s largest city, Warwick has the nation’s seventh-lowest number of thefts per capita and third-lowest assaults per capita, making it a relatively safe bet when it comes to crime. Warwick also has a low risk of any natural disasters occurring.

One of the most enjoyable local experiences in Warwick occurs every June. The Gaspee Day Parade has been around since 1965 and honors Rhode Island’s revolutionary history. If you’re visiting during another time, a trip to either one of the city’s two historic lighthouses — the Conimicut Lighthouse, built in 1868, and the Warwick Neck Lighthouse, built in 1827 — is a good bet.