If personal safety, healthcare access, and quality of life are high on your priority list, Rhode Island may just be your ideal place to call home. A new study by Bader Scott Injury Lawyers has ranked the safest states in the U.S., and the Ocean State comes out on top.
The study analyzed 60 data points related to health, crime, infrastructure, and public services. These were divided into nine core categories, ranging from crime prevention and healthcare access to environmental quality and mortality due to accidents. Each factor was scored out of 10, then weighted and rolled up into a comprehensive 100-point safety index.
With a final score of 69.86 out of 100, Rhode Island leads the nation. It ranks third for crime safety, eighth for vehicle and pedestrian safety, and fourth for healthcare affordability and access. The state also earns high marks in the immunization and infectious disease category with a score of 77.68, reflecting strong preventative health practices.
Despite its small size, Rhode Island stands out for its broad investment in public safety and healthcare. Its consistent performance across multiple categories signals a robust commitment to resident well-being.
Following close behind, Minnesota ranks second overall with a score of 69.15. The state performs exceptionally well in health-related categories, ranking seventh for mortality and general health and sixth for poverty, substance abuse, and suicide. It also earned one of the highest scores in infectious disease control (80.32).
Massachusetts takes third place with a score of 69.01. Known for its advanced healthcare system, the state ranks first in healthcare affordability and access and fourth in accidental mortality. Its emphasis on accessible healthcare and public infrastructure makes it a consistent leader in national well-being metrics.
Other states rounding out the top 10 include:
- Vermont (68.27), which ranks #1 in vehicle and pedestrian safety and #3 in infectious disease prevention
- Hawaii (66.90), topping the nation for air and environmental quality
- Connecticut (66.83), placing in the top five for both healthcare and accidental death prevention
- New Hampshire (66.02), with strong rankings in substance abuse and suicide prevention
- Utah (66.01), which ranks first in general health and second in poverty and substance abuse reduction
- New Jersey (65.69), leading in crime safety and ranking second in accidental death prevention
- Maine (63.43), notable for its strong showing in crime safety and road safety
The Top 10 Safest States in America
| Rank | State | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | 69.86 |
| 2 | Minnesota | 69.15 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 69.01 |
| 4 | Vermont | 68.27 |
| 5 | Hawaii | 66.90 |
| 6 | Connecticut | 66.83 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 66.02 |
| 8 | Utah | 66.01 |
| 9 | New Jersey | 65.69 |
| 10 | Maine | 63.43 |
Why These Rankings Matter
According to Seth Bader, spokesperson for Bader Scott Injury Lawyers:
“This ranking gives residents and potential movers a clearer understanding of where they stand when it comes to personal and community safety. Whether you’re evaluating where to raise a family, retire, or just improve your day-to-day quality of life, these scores offer a data-backed snapshot of each state’s strengths. And while individual safety habits matter, the results also highlight where state policies and infrastructure are truly making a difference.”
The data also encourages individuals to consider practical steps like purchasing supplemental health insurance, preparing for regional weather risks, or exploring relocation to areas with stronger public health frameworks.
Methodology
Researchers evaluated data across nine major categories, each weighted by importance:
- Air & Environmental Quality (10%)
- Financial Security & Cost of Living (10%)
- Healthcare Affordability & Access (16%)
- Immunization & Infectious Disease (6%)
- Mortality Due to Accidents (11%)
- Mortality Rates & General Health (11%)
- Safety From Crime (20%)
- Poverty, Substance Abuse & Suicide (6%)
- Vehicle & Pedestrian Safety (10%)
Each metric was standardized on a scale from 0 to 10 and weighted accordingly to produce the final scores.
