Low Crime States That Are Safe For Retirees

When it comes to retirement, safety isn't just a lifestyle preference for retirees, it's a financial strategy as well. Lower crime rates, unsurprisingly, tend to translate directly into lower homeowners' insurance, stronger property values, and a reduced risk of financial (and emotional) impact that comes with being a victim. If you're living on a fixed income, every dollar matters, so there is absolute peace of mind that comes from knowing your neighborhood is safe.

The 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report, from August 2025, confirms what many careful retirees already knew to be true in that where you live dramatically impacts your odds of being a crime statistic. The national violent crime rate is approximately 359.1 per 100,000 residents. The national property crime rate is 1,760.1 per 100,000. However, the safest states on this list are often 60-70% below these averages.

This ranking combines violent crime rates, which include murder, assault, and robbery, as well as property crime rates like burglary, theft, and stolen motor vehicles, compiled from the FBI's 2024 data set. States were ranked in each category and then averaged into a combined safety index. Unsurprisingly, the lower the index, the safer the state.

• Violent Crime: 232 per 100,000 (35% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,631 per 100,000 (7% below national average)

Along with its solid safety numbers, Utah is also a state that benefits from strong community ties, low unemployment, and a robust economy that is anchored by strong technology and recreation industries. As a bonus, access to healthcare is excellent, as is the quality of living.

• Violent Crime: 187 per 100,000 (48% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,669 per 100,000 (7% below national average)

Hawaii might have a reputation for being more violent than it actually is, making it a solid choice for retirees who want to enjoy year-round good weather. With no taxes on Social Security benefits and pension exclusions, the state works well for retirees, so long as they can cover the cost of living, which is far higher than on the mainland.

• Violent Crime: 224 per 100,000 (38% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,552 per 100,000 (12% below national average)

Cities like Lexington, Kentucky, have been on the rise for retirees who are attracted to locales in the state that offer solid healthcare infrastructure without traditional big-city crime rates. For budget-conscious retirees, the state of Kentucky combines both safety and affordability into a good package.

• Violent Crime: 279 per 100,000 (22% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,440 per 100,000 (18% below national average)

What really makes Iowa stand out for retirees isn't just the lower crime rates, it's that the state doesn't tax Social Security or retirement income from pensions. Add this in with a flat rate income tax of 3.8% plus a cost of living that runs around 10% below the national average, and Iowa's an underrated Midwest retirement destination.

• Violent Crime: 203.4 per 100,000 (43% below national average)

Consider that Wyoming only has 588,000 residents in total, all of whom are spread over 97,000 square miles. This means your nearest neighbor could be miles away, which is exactly why property crime is lower than violent crime. Plus, you get the benefit of no income tax, no tax on retirement income, and zero estate tax.

• Violent Crime: 221 per 100,000 (38% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,112 per 100,000 (37% below national average)

The state of Massachusetts is not only on the low end of the crime spectrum for retirees, but it also offers some of the nation's best healthcare. On the downside, Massachusetts does tax most retirement income, but it exempts Social Security benefits and property tax relief for seniors.

• Violent Crime: 136 per 100,000 (62% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,558 per 100,000 (11% below national average)

While crime across Connecticut is low for retirees looking to make a move, it does come with a pretty hefty tradeoff in terms of the cost of living. This said, the state will partially exempt Social Security benefits and offer property tax credits for qualifying seniors, along with world-class healthcare access.

• Violent Crime: 173 per 100,000 (52% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,212 per 100,000 (31% below national average)

Along with low crime numbers, Vermont also offers low unemployment numbers, which directly corroborates the low crime. The state is full of tight-knit communities and rural character that creates something of a natural crime deterrent that statistics alone won't quite capture.

• Violent Crime: 234 per 100,000 (35% below average)
• Property Crime: 736 per 100,000 (58% below national average)

Not only does Idaho sit in the number one spot for lowest property crime in America, but Boise is also often named as one of the safest cities in the state and country. The combination of its low property crime and affordable housing helps make Idaho a very compelling option for retirees.

• Violent Crime: 153 per 100,000 (57% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,032 per 100,000 (41% below national average)

According to the 2024 FBI numbers, Rhode Island had the fourth-lowest violent crime rate in the country and the third-lowest property crime rate. Despite its small population density, Rhode Island offers easy access to Boston and Providence healthcare networks, some of the best in the nation, for retired residents who want the state's lower crime rates.

• Violent Crime: 100 per 100,000 (72% below national average)
• Property Crime: 1,142 per 100,000 (35% below national average)

With the lowest violent crime rate in the country according to FBI data and the fifth-lowest property crime numbers, Maine is a great place for retirees looking for a quiet life. If you factor physical safety above all other retirement considerations, Maine is the place to be.

• Violent Crime: 110 per 100,000 (70% below national average)
• Property Crime: 918 per 100,000 (48% below national average)

The Granite State has the second-lowest violent crime rate and the second-lowest property crime rate, making it the number one choice for retirees looking for the safest place in the country to retire. Better yet, you don't have to worry about state income taxes, taxes on Social Security, or sales tax.