Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many travelers are paying special attention to safety when planning their summer vacations. While there's no way to totally eliminate risk from your next vacation, here are some of the safest spots in the country based on COVID-19 infection and crime rates, as well as a few other key indicators.
1. New York
According to SafeWise, which recently examined violent crime and property crime data from 2019, the areas around New York City are among the safest in the country, with 39 of the country's safest communities being within 50 miles of the Big Apple. Furthermore, according to WalletHub, New York City had the second-fewest traffic fatalities per capita last year and is tied for #1 in the US in terms of law enforcement personnel per capita.
2. Boston, Massachusetts
After New York City, Boston has the second-highest number of safe suburbs, with 19 within 50 miles, according to SafeWise. Massachusetts has 17 cities on the list overall, which is second only to New Jersey. Visitors visiting Boston and its neighboring cities and suburbs may look forward to a number of unique experiences as the weather warms up in time for summer, including the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which connects 16 nationally significant historic sites.
3. Washington DC
On the other hand, the nation's capital has one of the lowest COVID-19 test positive rates in the country and is making steady progress toward normalcy. Beginning June 11, capacity limitations at Washington, D.C. pubs and nightclubs, as well as significant sports and entertainment facilities, will be relaxed, providing travelers with even more summer travel possibilities.
4. Virginia's Arlington and Alexandria
The picturesque Virginia communities of Arlington and Alexandria, located west of Washington, D.C. and across the Potomac River, are two of the country's 12 safest cities, ranking 91.71 and 90.00 on SmartAsset's safest cities index, respectively. For guests who are still hesitant about spending time indoors with strangers, these walkable attractions provide lots of opportunities for outdoor exploration.
5. Hawaii
Going into the summer months, Hawaii still has one of the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rates in the country and is still welcoming visitors through the Safe Travels pre-travel testing program, which ensures that all out-of-state visitors have a negative COVID-19 test result in order to avoid the state's mandatory 10-day quarantine, regardless of vaccination status.
6. Texas's Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area
According to the latest research from SmartAsset, the North Texas cities of Frisco, McKinney, and Plano, which are located just north of Dallas, are three of the five safest cities in America in 2021, based on metrics such as violent crime, property crime, vehicular mortality rate, drug poisoning mortality rate, and the percentage of the population engaging in excessive drinking. Of the 200 cities studied by SmartAsset, Frisco has the fourth lowest violent crime rate.
7. Raleigh, North Carolina.
North Carolina's capital city was ranked 32nd on SmartAsset's list of the safest cities in the United States for 2021 and was ranked first on WalletHub's list of the safest cities in America for 2020. Raleigh offers something for everyone, including history aficionados, foodies, and art aficionados, as well as a multitude of outdoor activities and attractions that are excellent for those wanting a socially detached experience this summer.
8. California's Silicon Valley
Sunnyvale, California, is the safest city in America for 2021, according to Silicon Valley. According to SafeAsset, the city has the country's 21st lowest violent crime rate (167 for every 100,000 residents). Meanwhile, Sunnyvale is tied for the 10th safest city in the country this year, with San Jose tied for the 10th safest city in the country for vehicular fatality, drug poisoning mortality, and the percentage of the population indulging in excessive drinking. Furthermore, California is planning a full reopening on June 15th.
9. Vermont's Burlington
From lively Church Street to the Green Mountains, the lakeside Vermont city of Burlington has plenty of appeals. According to WalletHub, South Burlington is the second safest city in the United States for 2020, coming in sixth for home and community safety, a category that included data like COVID-19 instances and assaults per capita, as well as the perception of safety.
10. Alaska
Alaska, like Hawaii and Washington, D.C., has one of the lowest COVID-19 test positive percentages in the country. Juneau, Alaska's capital, is one of the safest cities in the country. The Alaskan capital is an outdoor enthusiast's dream vacation, ranking 21st out of 182 U.S. towns WalletHub investigated for safety last year.
