Virginia Beach named America’s safest large city in 2026 study

A 2026 study by SmartAsset has identified Virginia Beach, Virginia, as the safest large city in the United States. The ranking evaluated 83 U.S. cities with populations exceeding 250,000, using a composite score that accounts for violent crime, property crime, traffic fatality rates, and disaster risk.

Virginia Beach secured the top position due to below-average violent and property crime rates, along with a modest motor vehicle fatality rate and a relatively low Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster risk rating. In contrast, Memphis ranked last among the studied cities, driven by high crime and traffic fatality rates alongside a relatively high FEMA disaster risk rating.

The study also noted significant disparities within Texas, which featured cities in both the top 10 safest (Plano and Laredo) and the 10 least safe (Houston). Additionally, high disaster risk ratings from exposure to wildfires and earthquakes prevented California cities like Irvine and Santa Ana from reaching the top 10, despite having moderate crime rates.