Safest Cities to Live in Florida

2. North Palm Beach

North Palm Beach offers a ritzy, coastal lifestyle with beautiful Atlantic beaches, world-class golf courses and a peaceful atmosphere. Sure, some billionaires vacation here—but you don’t need a private jet to call this place home.

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While it’s still on the pricier side, housing in North Palm Beach is more affordable than Marco Island. And the city isn’t just beautiful—it’s safe, quiet and surprisingly practical. There’s a solid job market nearby, especially in industries like agriculture, tourism and finance. So whether you’re working, raising a family or just soaking up the sun in retirement, North Palm Beach makes it easy to feel right at home.

	North Palm Beach	Florida	U.S.
Population	13,054	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	3.22	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	7.74	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	10.95	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.60	2.08	2.323

 

3. Wildwood

If you like small-town charm with a side of natural beauty, Wildwood might be your kind of place. Known as “The Crossroads of Florida,” this city has been connecting people since the 1800s because of its location between bustling areas like Orlando, Tampa and Ocala. These days, it’s best known for its lakes, trails and proximity to the Withlacoochee State Forest (say that three times fast).

Wildwood has a strong retiree vibe thanks to its connection to The Villages—one of the biggest 55+ communities in the country. But don’t count yourself out if you’re not ready for retirement just yet. Jobs in health care, real estate and retail keep this safe, growing city thriving for all ages.  

	Wildwood	Florida	U.S.
Population	18,726	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	5.98	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	9.99	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	15.97	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.50	2.08	2.324

 

4. Safety Harbor

Next up is the quaint coastal town of Safety Harbor—just a stone’s throw from Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Back in the 1800s, ships would dock here to ride out storms (hence the name), and today, it still lives up to that “safe harbor” reputation.

This waterfront town may be small, but there’s plenty to do. You can stroll the boardwalks, cast a line off the pier, or catch live music downtown. And when it comes to work, you’ve got options. Safety Harbor sits in the heart of a booming job market, with short commutes to major employers in just about every industry.

	Safety Harbor	Florida	U.S.
Population	17,008	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	6.47	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	11.05	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	17.52	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.04***	2.08	2.325

 

^{***City contracts its law enforcement services through a nearby agency rather than maintaining its own police department.}

5. Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne is a five-mile-long barrier island just minutes from Miami. (But don’t worry—the Rickenbacker Causeway puts a little distance between locals and the downtown Miami party scene). Boating and water sports are big on the island, but so are nature trails, lighthouses and golf courses.

Yes, real estate is pricey on Key Biscayne. But families love it for the strong schools, low crime and tight-knit community. Picture this: Kids walking to school, golf carts running the streets, and parents commuting to Miami for jobs in tourism, tech, real estate and more. It’s a small island with a big upside.

	Key Biscayne	Florida	U.S.
Population	14,283	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	2.94	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	15.33	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	18.27	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.59	2.08	2.326

 

6. Satellite Beach

Satellite Beach is a quiet coastal town on Florida’s east-central Space Coast—yep, the one where NASA launches satellites into orbit. It’s also home to the Patrick Space Force Base, which brings a steady stream of military and civilian jobs.

The area has more than just high-tech action. You’ve got long sandy beaches, stunning sunrises over the Atlantic, and even the occasional whale sighting (no binoculars needed). And if you like to travel, Port Canaveral is just 17 miles away—with cruise ships ready to take you pretty much anywhere that’s warm and breezy.  

	Satellite Beach	Florida	U.S.
Population	11,295	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	5.22	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	13.81	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	19.03	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.20	2.08	2.327

 

7. Pensacola

Pensacola is one of the Panhandle’s most popular places to live—and for good reason. With its spot on the Gulf Coast, you’ll have easy access to white-sand beaches, calm blue water and just about every water activity you can think of. Despite its size, Pensacola still manages to feel safe and family-friendly, with solid schools and a cost of living that won’t make your budget sweat.

One thing that sets Pensacola apart from other coastal cities? You’ll actually find a variety of homes at different price points—so whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, you’ve got options. And when it comes to jobs, the area has plenty to offer, especially in the military, aerospace, health care and tourism sectors.  

	Pensacola	Florida	U.S.
Population	53,583	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	6.35	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	12.78	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	19.13	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.84	2.08	2.328

 

8. Miramar

Miramar is a growing Miami suburb on the southern tip of Florida, just a quick drive from Key Biscayne. It’s not right on the water, but it’s smack in the middle of Miami and Fort Lauderdale—giving you access to all the beaches, jobs and amenities these two major cities have to offer.

If you’re big on culture and community, Miramar is worth a look. The city is proud of its diversity, and you’ll find a little bit of everything here—food, music, art and traditions from all over the world. And even though it’s the largest city on our list, Miramar still ranks high for safety, earning multiple awards for its law enforcement standards.

	Miramar	Florida	U.S.
Population	138,613	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	6.64	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	14.34	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	20.99	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	1.62	2.08	2.329

 

9. Dunedin

Coming in at number nine is Dunedin, just west of Tampa along Florida’s Gulf Coast. What sets it apart? Every year, the city throws a full-on Scottish festival—with bagpipes, highland dancing and even a hammer throw competition. (Yes, really!) Dunedin’s also a designated trail town, so lots of outdoor cafes, bike shops and rentals line the downtown strip for your next stroll or ride.

Housing in Dunedin is way more affordable than in big cities like Miami, so you can still enjoy the beach lifestyle without blowing your budget. Just one heads-up: Since it’s a popular tourist spot, most local jobs are in tourism and service. If you’re looking for something more traditional, you may need to commute into Tampa or Clearwater.

	Dunedin	Florida	U.S.
Population	36,066	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	8.18	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	12.87	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	21.04	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.04***	2.08	2.3210

 

10. Miami Lakes

Rounding out our list is Miami Lakes, a safe and scenic suburb near Miramar and Key Biscayne. As the name suggests, the area is full of lakes—and the single-family homes along them are a big draw for families. Fun fact: Miami Lakes started as sugarcane farmland and ended up as a thoughtfully planned community, designed in a circular layout inspired by a conch shell.

The town’s Main Street adds to the charm with old-school lamps, colorful striped awnings and a vintage movie theater. And when it comes to work, Miami Lakes holds its own—especially in health care, tech and retail.

	Miami Lakes	Florida	U.S.
Population	31,029	9.5 million	278.4 million
Violent Crimes	3.09	11.59	14.12
Property Crimes	20.98	21.72	30.77
Total Crimes	24.07	33.31	44.89
Law Enforcement	2.90***	2.08	2.3211

 

Find a Florida Real Estate Agent

Once you’ve found a city you’re comfortable with and you’re ready to move to Florida, it’s time to hire a real estate agent. Now, your agent won’t be able to help you decide on the safest neighborhood to live in Florida (that’s called real estate steering, and it’s against the law), but that does not mean you shouldn’t work with an agent if you’re thinking about moving.

In fact, buying or selling a home without a top-notch agent on your side could mean missing out on a great home, or a great deal! And that’s where our RamseyTrusted^® agents come into play. They’re rock stars with loads of experience in your area, and they’ll serve you with excellence.

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Methodology Breakdown: How’d We Get Our Data?

Methodology, which is a term used by people who look at graphs all day, just means the method we used to find and rank the safest cities in Florida.

Here’s what we did: We took official crime stats reported by the FBI for cities in Florida with at least 10,000 residents (excluding any cities with incomplete data). The FBI splits crimes into two categories: 

• Violent crimes: These are defined as murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

• Property crimes: These include burglary, larceny (theft of personal property), motor vehicle theft and arson (setting fire to property).

After that, we did some math to see how many of these crimes happened in each city per 1,000 residents. Then, we calculated how many full-time law enforcement officers work in each city per 1,000 residents. The safest cities had the lowest scores, and the cities with the 10 lowest scores made up our list. Voilà!