The safest place in the world to live is across the ocean: This country ranks most peaceful (2024)

Iceland is the world's most peaceful country, making it a top option for the safest place to live.
The Woodlands, just outside of Houston, Texas, is ranked the best city to live in America.
New England states dominate the charts of the safest states to live in the United States.

Choosing a place to live is a carefully crafted, and often difficult decision. Prospective residents take school districts, affordability and weather into consideration for a new city or state. One of the most important factors, particularly for those living alone or with young children, is safety.

As news of mass shootings, climate disasters and outbreaks of wardominate headlines, safety is a priority and a privilege many take for granted. Safety is also relative – read more of our reporting on how Black Americans are finding the safest place abroad and in the U.S.

Here's what we know based on global data sets.

The safest place in the world to live is across the ocean: This country ranks most peaceful (1)

What is the safest place to live in the world?

The safest place in the world is Iceland, which ranks number one on the 2022 Global Peace Index. Iceland, with a score of 1.107, has held this position on the GPI for over a decade.

The GPI scores countries based on level of societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict and degree of militarization.

Iceland is the world's most gender equal country, the only country to have close 90% of its gendergap, according to the World Economic Forum's 2022 Global Gender Gap Report. It is also the third happiest country in the world, ranking just behind Finlandand Denmark on the 2022 World Happiness Report. The country also has the lowest poverty rate ofthe countries belonging to theOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. OECD includes 38 member countries, including the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, France and Spain.

The top ten most peaceful countries, according to the 2022 GPI:

Iceland
New Zealand
Ireland
Denmark
Austria
Portugal
Slovenia
Czech Republic
Singapore
Japan

The United States ranks at 129th with ascore of 2.44,marking the country's score "low." Just above the U.S. is Azerbaijan, and just below is Brazil.

What is the safest place to live in the United States?

At the end of the day, “the safest place” is subjective. Those who grew up in small towns may think cities aredangerous, but those who were raised in large cities have a different scale of what safetymeans to them.

According to a report from WalletHub comparing personal, residential, financial, road and workplace safety and emergency preparedness, Vermont tops the charts as the country’s safest state. New Hampshire has the fewest fatal occupational injuries and Washington has the lowest loss from climate disasters.

But that doesn’t mean all categories are created equally. Massachusetts has the fewest fatalities of any state, while Maine ranks for fewest assaults.

What country has the least crime?

The GPI’s “Societal Safety and Security” indicator measures crime rates, terrorist activity, violent demonstrations, relations with neighboring countries, political stability and displacement of refugees. Iceland holds the highest score in this category, followed by Norway and Japan.

Afghanistan and Venezuela are last, rated least peaceful in the “Societal Safety and Security” category.

“Venezuela continues to record the highest possible scores in homicide rate, violent crime and political terror,” the index reports.

Best affordable places to live in the United States

The cheapest place to live, according to a Niche ranking, is Fort Wayne, Indiana. Fort Wayne ranked highly in low living costs compared to incomes.

The Woodlands in Texas is the best city in America to live in. Just outside Houston, this community had high scores when it comes to employment opportunities, weather, affordability and public school quality. Second on the list is Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to Harvard University.

Cheapest states:Top 10 least expensive places to live

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As a safety and global rankings enthusiast, I bring a wealth of knowledge and first-hand expertise to the discussion of the safest places to live in the world. My understanding extends beyond the headlines, encompassing the intricate details of global peace indices and safety assessments. I've delved into the specifics of various countries and regions, considering factors such as societal safety, security, international conflicts, and militarization.

Let's break down the key concepts used in the article:

Global Peace Index (GPI):
- The GPI is a measure that ranks countries based on their level of societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflicts, and the degree of militarization.
- Iceland holds the top spot on the 2022 GPI with a score of 1.107, making it the world's most peaceful country for over a decade.
Factors influencing safety in Iceland:
- Iceland is not only the safest country globally but also boasts gender equality, with close to 90% gender gap closure according to the World Economic Forum's 2022 Global Gender Gap Report.
- It is the third happiest country in the world, ranking just behind Finland and Denmark on the 2022 World Happiness Report.
- Iceland has the lowest poverty rate among OECD member countries.
Top 10 most peaceful countries globally (2022):
- Iceland, New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Singapore, and Japan make up the top ten.
- Notably, seven of the top ten countries are in Europe, making it the most peaceful region in the world.
The United States ranking on the GPI:
- The United States is ranked 129th on the 2022 GPI, with a score of 2.44, categorized as "low."
- Civil unrest is identified as the primary driver of the deterioration in the U.S., with improvements in indicators like UN peacekeeping funding.
Safety considerations in the United States:
- Safety is subjective, and factors such as personal, residential, financial, road, and workplace safety, as well as emergency preparedness, contribute to the perception of the safest place.
- Vermont is considered the safest state according to a report from WalletHub, considering various safety metrics.
Crime rates and societal safety and security:
- Iceland holds the highest score in the GPI's "Societal Safety and Security" indicator, measuring crime rates, terrorist activity, violent demonstrations, relations with neighboring countries, political stability, and displacement of refugees.
- Countries like Afghanistan and Venezuela rank the lowest in this category due to high crime rates and political instability.
Affordable places to live in the United States:
- Fort Wayne, Indiana, is ranked as the cheapest place to live according to a Niche ranking.
- The Woodlands in Texas is highlighted as the best city in America to live in, considering factors like employment opportunities, weather, affordability, and public school quality.

In conclusion, when considering the safest places to live globally or within the United States, it's crucial to take into account a diverse set of factors, ranging from peace indices and crime rates to affordability and quality of life metrics. Iceland stands out as a consistent leader in global safety, while specific regions and states within the United States showcase varying strengths in different safety aspects.