How Do I Know If A Neighborhood Is Safe? 4 Ways to Check

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House hunting is an exciting phase in the homebuying process. While some buyers search for homes in locations they’re already familiar with, some explore new areas to be close to a new job or a more suitable lifestyle, or for more square footage. For house hunters shopping in unfamiliar territories, neighborhood safety is a top concern, as choosing the right neighborhood can be just as important as choosing the right home.

The good news is that applying the practical tips in this article can help put your mind at ease about the safety of a potential neighborhood.

How Can I Protect My Family?

Everyone has a different idea about what they want or need in a neighborhood. It could mean tree-lined streets, walkable shops and restaurants, public transportation, or high-quality schools. But when it comes to public safety, almost everyone agrees the safer the neighborhood, the better.

Before you buy a home, it’s wise to look beyond the price tag and understand the crime report history of the neighborhood to reduce risk and protect your family’s health and security.

A Closer Look at Crime

Crime does not occur in isolation; it reflects broader circumstances within a community, shaped by human behavior, the environment, and society. Even economic factors, such as unemployment or poverty, can increase the incentive to commit crime.

The types of crimes you’re more likely to see can vary by location. In some areas, you’re more likely to encounter disorderly conduct, while in others, you might find perpetrators committing other types of crimes such as theft or assault. Men are significantly more likely to commit crimes than women in virtually all cultures.

You can find websites that compile crime estimates based on data, statistics, and official police records within jurisdictions across the country, helping buyers assess potential danger such as theft, assault, injury, or other violation of the law. These systems track incident counts, identifying offender patterns and victim locations.

Information on crime trends can empower homebuyers to make informed decisions — especially when children are part of the household and long-term safety matters most.

4 Ways to Check if a Neighborhood Is Safe

Here’s how to assess the safety of a community before you and your family become residents.

1. Identify Common Safety Concerns

Thinking about safety when choosing where to live is not only reasonable — it’s essential. Every neighborhood faces different risks, and understanding the most common types of crime can help you better evaluate whether an area aligns with your comfort level and lifestyle.

There are two types of crime to consider:

Non-violent property crimes constitute offenses such as burglaries, vehicle theft, vandalism, and package theft. These kinds of incidents can affect daily peace of mind and financial security.

Violent crime, on the other hand, involves an act of violent aggression or force against the subject. These crimes include offenses pose a risk of physical injury, causing hurt or direct threats to personal safety. Examples of violent crime include homicide, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and robbery.

By reviewing crime data, police reports, and neighborhood statistics, you can identify patterns, compare trends over time, and see how frequently incidents occur. Looking at both the type of crime and how often it happens provides valuable context and helps you determine whether certain risks are isolated incidents or ongoing issues.

2. Conduct Research Online

Crime statistics are collected by national agencies as well as independent organizations. Checking crime trends around a neighborhoods is easy to do online. Several websites allow potential home buyers to check crime reports online, check neighborhood safety by ZIP code, or look up neighborhood information by address.

Be aware that not all crimes may be reported on a given website, so absence of information does not guarantee freedom from crime.

Here are some of the top websites for this kind of information:

Crime Grades & Neighborhood Statistics

CityProtect.com– Zoom into a specific location to see recent crime incidents on a map, in the categories of Violent, Property & Theft, Disorder/Disturbance, and 911 or Other. These incidents are often pulled directly from local authorities and police reports. Zoom in further to click on a dot for more information on the perpetrator and the incident.
CrimeGrade.org – This site uses statistical analysis and machine learning to provide crime grades and neighborhood crime maps for ZIP codes, cities, and states.
National Sex Offender Public Website (official government tool) – This is the federal sex offender registry maintained by the agencies of the U.S. Department of Justice. You can search by address, ZIP code, or name and view offenders on a map within a specified radius. Then you can click on the name for more information about court convictions.
NeighborhoodScout – This site provides some free information on neighborhoods, and it sells neighborhood crime reports that cover criminal offenses, trends over time, and comparisons to national averages.
AreaVibes.com – This site provides crime statistics as part of its reporting. The website factors safety into a comprehensive livability score with letter grades for components like crime, schools, cost of living, and more.
NextDoor.com – Neighbors report information, news, and incidents such as crimes and fires on this hyperlocal social media platform.

>> Check out these additional things to research before buying a house.

3. See the Neighborhood Firsthand

Nothing beats driving — or better yet, walking — through a potential neighborhood to get a feel for the area. Try to visit both in the daytime and at night, as the atmosphere can be very different.

Look out for conditions. Observe the physical condition, management, and upkeep of buildings in the area, and keep your eye out for abandoned storefronts and unkempt landscapes. Research by Harvard Business Review has found a correlation between closed retail stores and crime.
Participate in a community event. Support the local farmer’s market or community event and see how engaged the community is in local events, which shows their commitment and support of the neighborhood.
Check who’s outside. Are children walking to school or playing outside? Are people walking their dogs? This can be a sign that parents are ok with their children being outside on their own. Limited activity could be a red flag.
Visit local businesses. See if family-owned businesses have been around for many years. This could be an indication that local people create community together and care for their local shopkeepers and each other.
Trust your intuition. Never underestimate the power of the “gut check” in helping settle questions about safety. Listen to your instincts, as they will function as a guide in choosing the right neighborhood for you and your family.

4. Ask Around

If you can find someone to talk to within the neighborhood itself, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation – the information they can share is invaluable.

Talk to a local real estate agent. A large number of houses on the market could be an indicator of safety. Considering the agent has been serving that particular neighborhood, they may have insight into local circumstances and trends.
Go to a shop and strike up a conversation. Enter any local business or grocery store and introduce yourself to a fellow shopper or the store owner. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the neighborhood.
Join online forums. If you don’t feel comfortable going up to someone in person, you can always use online tools like Facebook groups or community message boards. Browse through old posts, or post your own question.
Attend a community event. As residents of the neighborhood are likely to attend the event, this is a great opportunity to talk to a few of them.
Join a workout class. While signing up for the local gym might be a big commitment, attending just a class or two at a boutique studio gym is another way to talk to residents who live near the studio.
Visit the local religious community center. Attend prayer or an event at the local mosque as another opportunity to talk to members of the community.

>> Check out these additional factors to consider when buying a house.

2026 Best and Worst Cities for Safety

If safety is a top concern, you may want to start your search by considering lists of the safest and least safe cities to help narrow down where to focus your home search.

By using safety lists as a starting point, you can prioritize cities worth deeper research, compare options more efficiently, and spend your time exploring neighborhoods that better match your needs, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

According to WalletHub, these are the 10 most dangerous cities in 2026:

New Orleans, Louisiana
Memphis, Tennessee
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Detroit, Michigan
Baltimore, Maryland
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Houston, Texas
San Bernardino, California
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cleveland, Ohio

And on the contrary, these are the 15 safest cities:

Warwick, Rhode Island
Overland Park, Kansas
Burlington, Vermont
Juneau, Alaska
Yonkers, New York
Casper, Wyoming
South Burlington, Vermont
Columbia, Maryland
Lewiston, Maine
Salem, Oregon
Nashua, New Hampshire
Boise, Idaho
Laredo, Texas
Santa Rosa, California
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Staying Safe at Home

When we think of safety, many people automatically think of crime, but more common dangers can often be found right in our own home. Approximately one-third of all injuries and 20% of injury-related deaths occur at home. The good news is that many of these incidents are preventable with a few proactive steps and regular awareness.

Here are some practical tips to help enhance safety at home:

Prevent slips, trips, and falls
Remove clutter from walkways, stairs, and entryways to reduce tripping hazards. Secure area rugs with non-slip backing or double-sided tape, and repair loose floorboards or uneven surfaces. Improving lighting — especially in hallways, staircases, bathrooms, and outdoor entrances — can also make a big difference, particularly for children, older adults, and guests.
Reduce fire and carbon monoxide risks
Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month and replace batteries as needed. Make sure detectors are installed on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Keep flammable items away from heat sources, never leave cooking unattended, and have a clear fire escape plan that everyone in the household understands.
Prevent accidental poisonings
Store chemicals, medications, and cleaning supplies in locked cabinets or out of reach, especially if you have children or pets. Keep products in their original containers with labels intact, and safely dispose of expired or unused medications. Educate family members about what substances are dangerous and what to do in an emergency.
Improve bathroom and kitchen safety
Install grab bars in showers and near toilets, use non-slip mats in tubs and sinks, and promptly clean up spills. In the kitchen, keep sharp objects stored safely, turn pot handles inward while cooking, and ensure that appliances are in good working condition.
Prepare for emergencies
Keep a basic first-aid kit easily accessible and stocked with essentials. Know emergency contact numbers and make sure they’re visible or saved in phones. Having a flashlight, extra batteries, and a plan for power outages can also help you stay safe during unexpected situations.

By taking small steps to address everyday hazards, you can create a safer home environment.

Knowledge Is Power

The neighborhood that you’re buying into is just as important as the house that you are thinking about purchasing. While you can always make changes to your home whenever you feel like it, you don’t have the ability to change your neighborhood in an instant. So doing research in advance is a smart choice to protect yourself and your family in the long run.

Ready to Find a Home?

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Learn more about Islamic finance, or get started on your homeowner’s journey today!

Your Guidance Residential Account Executive is here to help with any questions. Looking to refinance or purchase? Have a friend or family member who is looking for a home? Call 1.866.Guidance, or start an application today.

Originally published July 2019, updated January 2026.