When families and professionals look for a place to call home, safety is always near the top of the list. A new SmartAsset study ranked the 50 largest U.S. cities to find the safest places to live in 2025, using factors like violent and property crime, traffic deaths, drug overdoses, and even lifestyle indicators such as excessive drinking. The results placed both Charlotte and Raleigh in the nation’s top ten.
How the Study Worked
Researchers evaluated five key safety metrics for each city:
Violent crime rate
Property crime rate
Vehicular deaths per capita
Drug overdose deaths per capita
Percentage of adults reporting excessive drinking
To give additional context, the study also included household income levels and median housing costs.
Charlotte: A Strong Showing at #9
Charlotte ranks as the 9th safest large city in America. With a median household income of about $78,000 and median housing costs around $1,487 per month, the Queen City offers an appealing balance of affordability and safety.
The city scored well in overall crime rates compared to many other metro areas, though property crime remains higher than in some peer cities. Charlotte also continues to focus on improving road safety, with traffic deaths currently around 9.5 per 100,000 residents.
Raleigh: Right Behind at #10
Raleigh takes the 10th spot on the national list, showing that North Carolina’s capital city holds its own for safety and livability. With a median household income over $82,000 and similar housing costs to Charlotte, Raleigh offers residents strong value.
The city’s strengths include a lower rate of traffic fatalities (7.9 per 100,000) compared to Charlotte, and balanced crime metrics that keep Raleigh competitive among the safest urban centers in the U.S. Areas for continued focus include reducing violent crime and drug overdoses, which remain challenges across many cities nationwide.
What This Means for Homebuyers
For anyone considering a move to North Carolina, both Charlotte and Raleigh stand out as communities where safety and quality of life are priorities. These high rankings add another layer of appeal for buyers relocating for jobs, schools, or lifestyle.
With two of the state’s largest cities recognized among the top ten safest in America, North Carolina continues to prove why it’s one of the most desirable places to live.