Plano, Texas Named 2nd Safest Large U.S. City for 2026

A SmartAsset study ranking 83 U.S. cities with at least 250,000 residents placed Plano, Texas as the second‑safest large city for 2026, behind only Virginia Beach. The analysis considered violent crime, property crime, traffic deaths and disaster risk, with Plano scoring well on the first three indicators (5 violent crimes, 14.7 property crimes and 9 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents).

The report noted a relatively high natural‑disaster risk for the area, citing tornadoes, flash floods, thunderstorms and extreme heat. Plano Economic Development commented, "With consistently low crime rates and exceptional police and fire response times, Plano stands among the safest cities in America, ensuring peace of mind for residents and businesses alike." The city also ranked highly for lifestyle factors, including fitness, family‑friendliness and park quality. Other Texas cities in the top‑10 were Laredo (ranked 6th). The full top‑10 list included Virginia Beach, Madison, Honolulu, Chesapeake, Lexington, Boston, Lincoln and Pittsburgh.