Florida is one of the most popular states for people moving for warmer weather, no state income tax, beaches, retirement communities, and strong job markets.

But before moving, many people ask the same question:

Is Florida a safe place to live?

The answer depends on where you live.

Florida has large cities, quiet beach towns, family suburbs, retirement areas, and fast-growing inland communities.

Safety can be very different from one city to another.

According to USAFacts, Florida’s crime data shows:

• Violent crime rate: 267 violent crimes per 100,000 people
• Property crime rate: 1,420 property crimes per 100,000 people
• Violent crime change: down 8.7%
• Property crime change: up 6%

For this 2026 list, the safest cities are based mainly on recent FBI-reported crime data and SafeWise’s 2026 Florida safety ranking. 

The ranking compares cities by violent crime and property crime rates per 1,000 residents.

What Is the Safest City in Florida in 2026?

Vero Beach is the safest city in Florida in 2026.

Vero Beach ranked No. 1 because it had the lowest reported violent crime rate and the lowest property crime rate among qualifying Florida cities.

Key safety data for Vero Beach:

• Violent crime rate: 0.3 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 2.7 per 1,000 residents
• Ranked as the safest city in Florida by SafeWise in 2026

This makes Vero Beach one of the strongest answers for people searching for the safest cities in Florida, safest places to live in Florida, and the lowest crime rate cities in Florida.

10 Safest Cities in Florida in 2026

1. Vero Beach

Vero Beach is located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast and is known for beaches, parks, boating, golf, and a slower pace of life.

Why Vero Beach is one of the safest places to live in Florida:

• Lowest violent crime rate in the 2026 ranking
• Lowest property crime rate in the 2026 ranking
• Smaller coastal city with a quieter lifestyle
• Strong choice for retirees, families, and people looking for a safer beach community

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 0.3 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 2.7 per 1,000 residents

2. Safety Harbor

Safety Harbor is located in Pinellas County, near Tampa Bay. It offers a small-town feel while still being close to Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg.

Why Safety Harbor is safe:

• Low violent crime rate
• Low property crime rate
• Walkable downtown
• Strong residential neighborhoods
• Access to waterfront parks and local community events

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 1.3 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 7.0 per 1,000 residents

Safety Harbor is one of the safest towns in Florida for people who want a quieter lifestyle near a major metro area.

3. Dunedin

Dunedin is another Pinellas County city that ranks high for safety. It is known for its downtown, beaches, bike trails, and access to Honeymoon Island.

Why Dunedin is one of the safest cities in Florida:

• Very low violent crime rate
• Strong community feel
• Popular with families, retirees, and professionals
• Coastal lifestyle without the size of a major city

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 0.8 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 9.3 per 1,000 residents

Dunedin is a good option for people who want safety, beach access, and a small-city atmosphere.

4. Hialeah Gardens

Hialeah Gardens is located in Miami-Dade County, near Hialeah, Miami Lakes, and Doral. It gives residents access to the Miami job market while keeping a more suburban feel.

Why Hialeah Gardens ranks high for safety:

• Low violent crime rate
• One of the safer options in South Florida
• Suburban setting near major employment areas
• Reported zero rapes and zero motor vehicle thefts in the data used by SafeWise

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 0.6 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 10.2 per 1,000 residents

For people who want to live near Miami but prefer a safer suburban city, Hialeah Gardens is a strong choice.

5. St. Cloud

St. Cloud is located in Osceola County, near Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lake Nona. It has become popular with people looking for more space while staying close to Central Florida jobs.

Why St. Cloud is one of the safest places to live in Florida:

• Lower property crime than many fast-growing cities
• Family-friendly neighborhoods
• Close to Orlando without being directly inside the city
• Property crime improved compared to the previous year

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 1.9 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 7.6 per 1,000 residents
• Previous property crime rate: 9.5 per 1,000 residents

St. Cloud is one of the safest cities near Orlando.

6. Coral Springs

Coral Springs is one of the largest cities on the 2026 safety list. It is located in Broward County and is known for suburban neighborhoods, schools, parks, and access to Fort Lauderdale.

Why Coral Springs is safe:

• Low crime rates for a city of its size
• Year-over-year decreases in violent crime and property crime
• Strong suburban layout
• Popular with families and professionals

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 1.3 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 11.1 per 1,000 residents

Coral Springs is one of the safest cities in Florida for people who want a larger suburban city with access to South Florida jobs.

7. Sunny Isles Beach

Sunny Isles Beach is a coastal city in northeast Miami-Dade County, located between Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Why Sunny Isles Beach ranks among the safest places to live in Florida:

• Low violent crime rate
• Beachfront lifestyle
• Smaller city compared to Miami
• Popular with condo owners, retirees, and international residents

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 1.3 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 11.9 per 1,000 residents

Sunny Isles Beach is not one of the cheapest places in Florida, but it is one of the safer beach cities in South Florida.

8. Miami Lakes

Miami Lakes is a planned suburban community in Miami-Dade County. It is known for parks, tree-lined streets, shopping areas, and easy highway access.

Why Miami Lakes is one of the safest towns in Florida:

• Low violent crime rate
• Property crime improved from the previous year
• Strong suburban design
• Good option for people who want to stay close to Miami

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 1.0 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 13.2 per 1,000 residents
• Previous property crime rate: 15.1 per 1,000 residents

Miami Lakes is a strong option for people who want South Florida access with a safer suburban feel.

9. West Melbourne

West Melbourne is located in Brevard County, near Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Florida’s Space Coast.

Why West Melbourne is safe:

• Low violent crime rate
• Lower crime than many larger Florida cities
• Suburban neighborhoods
• Access to jobs in aerospace, defense, healthcare, and technology

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 1.5 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 12.2 per 1,000 residents

West Melbourne is one of the safest places to live on Florida’s east coast.

10. Cutler Bay

Cutler Bay is located in southern Miami-Dade County. It is a suburban town with access to Miami, Homestead, and the Florida Keys.

Why Cutler Bay ranks as one of the safest cities in Florida:

• Low violent crime rate
• Property crime improved year over year
• Safer suburban option near Miami
• Good fit for people who want South Florida access without living in downtown Miami

Safety data:

• Violent crime rate: 1.5 per 1,000 residents
• Property crime rate: 13.9 per 1,000 residents
• Previous property crime rate: 17.3 per 1,000 residents

Cutler Bay is one of the safest towns in Florida for people living near Miami-Dade County.

What Makes These the Safest Cities in Florida?

The safest cities in Florida usually have several things in common:

• Lower violent crime rates
• Lower property crime rates
• Strong residential neighborhoods
• Smaller or more suburban populations
• Active local police departments
• Community involvement
• Less nightlife-related crime than larger cities
• More stable housing areas
• Better separation from high-tourism crime zones

These cities are not crime-free, but they perform better than many other Florida communities when crime is measured by population.

Is Florida a Safe Place to Live?

Florida can be a safe place to live, but safety depends heavily on the city and neighborhood.

Some parts of Florida have very low crime rates, especially smaller coastal towns and suburban communities.

Other areas, especially larger urban centers or high-tourism zones, may have higher property crime, theft, or violent crime.

Florida is generally safer when you choose areas with:

• Lower violent crime rates
• Lower property crime rates
• Good local schools
• Stable neighborhoods
• Lower traffic crash risk
• Lower flood and hurricane exposure
• Reliable local services
• Strong community reputation

For people moving to Florida, crime data is important, but it should not be the only factor. You should also review housing costs, insurance costs, school ratings, commute times, flood zones, and hurricane risk.

Best Safest Places to Live in Florida by Lifestyle

Best for Coastal Living

• Vero Beach
• Dunedin
• Sunny Isles Beach
• Safety Harbor

Best Near Tampa Bay

• Safety Harbor
• Dunedin

Best Near Orlando

• St. Cloud

Best Near Miami

• Hialeah Gardens
• Miami Lakes
• Cutler Bay
• Sunny Isles Beach

Best Large Safe City

• Coral Springs

Best on Florida’s Space Coast

• West Melbourne

Final Thoughts

The safest city in Florida in 2026 is Vero Beach, based on the latest available crime ranking and its very low violent and property crime rates.

Other safe places to live in Florida include:

• Safety Harbor
• Dunedin
• Hialeah Gardens
• St. Cloud
• Coral Springs
• Sunny Isles Beach
• Miami Lakes
• West Melbourne
• Cutler Bay

Florida is not the same everywhere. Some cities are much safer than others.

If safety is your main priority, start working with our local movers in Florida and we will help with cities that have low violent crime, low property crime, stable neighborhoods, and a strong local community.