News Summary
San Jose, California, has been named the safest major city in the United States according to SmartAsset’s recent analysis. The city showcased impressive statistics including low violent and property crime rates, minimal drug overdose fatalities, and a low rate of traffic deaths. With only 5,185 reported violent crimes and 25,715 property crimes, San Jose ranked favorably compared to other cities. This recognition emphasizes the city’s commitment to public safety amidst ongoing national discussions regarding urban crime and safety measures.
San Jose, California, has achieved the top position as the safest major city in the United States according to a recent analysis conducted by SmartAsset. This accolade comes as a result of the city’s favorable statistics in various safety measures, including violent crime rates, property crime statistics, drug overdose fatalities, traffic deaths, and rates of excessive drinking among its residents.
The SmartAsset study, which analyzed crime and health data, found that San Jose reported a total of 5,185 violent crimes in 2025, marking it as the third lowest among large cities nationwide. Additionally, the city recorded 25,715 property crimes, ranking fifth least in this category. The research indicated that San Jose has a drug overdose death rate of 17 per 100,000 residents, placing it fourth lowest in the entire country. Notably, the city experienced fewer than seven traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents and reported an excessive drinking rate of 17.8%.
Other cities that followed San Jose in the rankings included:
- Los Angeles, CA (2nd)
- Fort Worth, TX (3rd)
- Omaha, NE (4th)
- Virginia Beach, VA (5th)
- Las Vegas, NV (6th)
- Arlington, TX (7th)
- El Paso, TX (8th)
- Charlotte, NC (9th)
- Raleigh, NC (10th)
Notably, Fort Worth, Texas, achieved third place overall, boasting a median household income of nearly $75,000 and median monthly housing costs of approximately $1,450. El Paso was distinguished for its affordability, offering average housing costs of $1,044 and a median income of $58,734.
In contrast, San Francisco, known for its low violent crime and traffic death rates, ranked 37th overall. The ranking was significantly influenced by high property crime rates and a troubling drug overdose death rate of 63 per 100,000 residents. Similarly, San Antonio was placed 29th, grappling with elevated rates of both violent and property crimes, combined with considerable alcohol use among its population.
The results of this study emerge against a backdrop of heightened discussions regarding public safety in national politics. Recent events, including the Trump administration’s declaration of a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., which is placed at 40th in the study, have focused attention on safety concerns across major urban areas.
SmartAsset’s analysis utilized data collected from the FBI’s 2023 Uniform Crime Reporting program as well as the 2025 County Health Rankings. The primary goal of this study was to assist families and individuals in evaluating safety risks as they consider housing options and relocation decisions.
In light of these findings, measures taken by the city to improve public safety have been underscored. The city has expressed commitment to maintaining its status as a safe place for its residents, reaffirming the importance of safety as a priority for the community at large.
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Additional Resources
- SmartAsset: America’s Safest Cities 2025
- San Jose Spotlight: San Jose is Safest Large City in the U.S.
- Mercury News: Bay Area Homicides 2025
- King 5: Safest Big Cities in the U.S. 2025
- ABC7 News: San Jose Officials Address Mental Illness & Crime
- Wikipedia: San Jose, California
- Google Search: Crime Statistics San Jose
- Google Scholar: Public Safety San Jose
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Safety
- Google News: San Jose Crime 2025
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VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
