Many people in the U.S. are choosing to live in the suburbs rather than the busy and expensive city centres. Suburbs offer a peaceful lifestyle, a close-knit community feeling, and, importantly, better safety and affordability.
In a new study, SmartAsset looked at 370 suburbs across the country to find out which ones are the safest places to live. The analysis considered violent crime, property crime, road safety, and substance abuse rates.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 safest suburbs in the U.S. and find out which Indiana suburbs made the list!
1. Great Falls, Virginia
Topping the list is Great Falls, a suburb near Washington, D.C., located on the beautiful Potomac River.
It has:
- The second-lowest violent crime rate
- The eighth-lowest vehicle death rate
- Very low alcohol misuse, with less than 15% of adults drinking excessively
2. Carmel, Indiana
Carmel, a popular suburb of Indianapolis, stands out for its friendly vibe and focus on safety. It was even named the Best Small City in America by WalletHub in 2023.
Carmel’s safety stats:
- Only 4.86 vehicle deaths per 100,000 people
- Excellent infrastructure and low crime rates
3. Bethesda, Marylan
Another suburb near Washington, D.C., Bethesda is known for being clean, green, and extremely safe.
It has:
- One of the lowest vehicle mortality rates
- A very low percentage of people who drink excessively
4. Fishers, Indiana
This family-friendly Indiana suburb is a favourite for people seeking a peaceful lifestyle. Fishers shows:
- 84% less violent crime than the average suburb
- Very low property crime rates
- Safe roads and community-driven policing
5. Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville, the third Indiana suburb in the top 10, is part of Hamilton County and shares many of the same safety perks as Carmel and Fishers.
Why it stands out:
- 90% lower property crime rate than the average suburb
- Low vehicular mortality, contributing to everyday safety
6. Lehi, Utah
Just outside of Salt Lake City, Lehi is a growing suburb known for being safe and scenic.
Stats include:
- Low property crime: 1,012 per 100,000 people
- Low road deaths: 5.4 per 100,000 people
7. Fort Bliss, Texas
This Texas suburb is more than just safe—it’s also affordable.
Highlights:
- Low in all crime categories
- Vehicular deaths at 11.3 per 100,000—well below the national average
8. Frisco, Texas
Frisco, home to the Dallas Cowboys, is one of the fastest-growing places in Texas, with a population rise of 72% in the past decade.
Safety features:
- Extremely low crime rates
- One of the lowest drug-related death rates in the study
9. Dacula, Georgia
Located near Atlanta, Dacula is a smaller, quieter suburb that is now gaining attention.
Why it’s safe:
- Low crime rates
- Better road safety than many surrounding areas
10. Castle Rock, Colorado
Set between Denver and Colorado Springs, Castle Rock is a beautiful suburb surrounded by nature.
Safety highlights:
- Low crime
- Road death rate of just 4.6 per 100,000 people
Indiana Shines as One of the Safest States for Suburban Living
Out of 370 suburbs studied, three from Indiana—Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville—secured spots in the top 10 safest suburbs in the United States. This shows how Indiana is setting a strong example for community safety and quality of life.
If you’re looking for a calm, secure place to live with your family, or even to retire peacefully, suburbs like these offer a great mix of affordability, safety, and community spirit.