WalletHub ranks safest U.S. states for 2026

A new 2026 Safest States in America report by WalletHub has ranked U.S. states based on 52 metrics across five major categories: personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness.

Vermont was named the safest state in the country, followed by Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Minnesota also ranked highly, placing seventh. New Jersey was ranked 17th overall, performing particularly well in personal and residential safety (6th) and road safety (14th), while maintaining the highest number of law enforcement employees per 100,000 residents in the nation. Wisconsin placed 21st, falling into the ‘above average’ category with notable strength in financial stability.

At the lower end of the rankings, Mississippi was identified as the least-safe state, followed by Louisiana, Texas, Florida, and Arkansas.