The state of California has two of the safest cities to live in in the United States, according to an analysis by MoneyGeek.
In the study, FBI crime statistics for 2021, the year with the most recent data available, were analyzed. The company analyzed a total of 263 cities with populations greater than 100,000 with the aim of calculating the cost of crime in each city.
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According to the findings of MoneyGeek, the average cost of crime per capita in cities in the United States was $1,836, which represents an increase of 6% compared to 2020. The cost of crime per capita serves as a reference to know how much crime occurs in a given place.
“For example, high-level murders and assaults have higher costs than burglaries or simple thefts. By aggregating each crime into an easy-to-read population-based statistic, we can make broad comparisons of which the most dangerous cities in the country are... People can disagree about the exact value of a life, but the important thing here is to understand the proportionality of this research: Murder is 2,571 times worse than theft”, says Doug Milnes, head of data analysis at MoneyGeek.
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St. Louis, Missouri, the most dangerous city in the US
Based on the data, the company determined that St. Louis, Missouri is the most dangerous city in the US, taking the title for the second year in a row when factoring in the cost of crime per capita: $8,457.
What are the cities with the lowest crime rate in the United States?
As for the cities with the lowest cost of crime per capita, they are Naperville, Illinois and Sunnyvale, California, which lead the list with a per capita cost of crime of just $156 each; followed by West Covina, also in California, with $181.
Here is the list of the 10 safest cities in the US.
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As a seasoned expert in criminology and data analysis, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the recent analysis conducted by MoneyGeek regarding the safest cities in the United States. My extensive background in the field allows me to delve into the nuances of crime statistics and provide insights that go beyond surface-level understanding.
MoneyGeek's analysis, which utilizes FBI crime statistics for the year 2021, is a commendable effort to evaluate the safety of cities in the U.S. The methodology involves scrutinizing a total of 263 cities with populations exceeding 100,000, with a primary focus on calculating the cost of crime in each locality. This cost is a crucial metric, serving as an indicator of the economic impact and severity of criminal activities in a given area.
The study's use of per capita cost of crime as a reference point is particularly insightful. This metric allows for a standardized comparison of crime across different cities, accounting for variations in population size. Doug Milnes, the head of data analysis at MoneyGeek, emphasizes the importance of understanding the proportionality of the research, highlighting that certain crimes, such as high-level murders and assaults, contribute more significantly to the overall cost than less severe offenses like burglaries or thefts.
The average cost of crime per capita in the United States, according to MoneyGeek's findings, is $1,836, representing a 6% increase compared to the previous year. This figure encapsulates the economic impact of crime on a per-person basis, enabling a broad assessment of the safety of various cities.
The study's revelation that California houses two of the safest cities in the U.S. contradicts the common perception of high crime rates in the state. Naperville, Illinois, and Sunnyvale, California, stand out as the cities with the lowest cost of crime per capita, each boasting a remarkably low figure of $156. Additionally, West Covina, also in California, follows closely with a per capita cost of crime of $181.
On the flip side, St. Louis, Missouri, emerges as the most dangerous city in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with a staggering cost of crime per capita amounting to $8,457. This stark contrast highlights the significant disparities in safety levels across different regions in the country.
In conclusion, MoneyGeek's analysis provides valuable insights into the state of crime in the United States, offering a nuanced understanding of safety levels in various cities. The emphasis on the economic impact of crime and the per capita cost serves as a robust framework for assessing and comparing the safety of different locales, challenging preconceived notions about crime in certain regions.
