A new study by SmartAsset ranks Plano as the second safest large city in the United States, following Virginia Beach. This analysis evaluated 83 cities with populations exceeding 250,000, representing over 90 percent of major urban areas in the country. Plano surpassed cities such as Madison, Wisconsin; Honolulu; and Chesapeake, Virginia, which completed the top five.
The study's methodology assessed four key metrics rather than focusing solely on crime statistics. The first two metrics were taken from the FBI's 2024 Crime in the United States report, which included violent crimes and property crimes per 1,000 residents. The third metric, motor vehicle fatalities per 100,000 residents, was sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lastly, the disaster risk was evaluated using FEMA's National Risk Index, which was converted into a five-point scale.
Plano's statistics showed 1.5 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, 14.7 property crimes per 1,000 residents, and 6.9 auto fatalities per 100,000 residents. However, the city's disaster risk rating was classified as "Relatively High," which negatively impacted its overall ranking despite its strong performance in crime metrics.
The disaster risk factor also influenced rankings for other cities. For instance, Irvine, California, ranked 12th, and Santa Ana, California, ranked 20th, both faced challenges due to earthquake and wildfire risks, even though they maintained moderate crime rates. Thus, the ranking reflects a broader picture than just crime statistics alone.
Texas cities exhibited a wide range in safety rankings. Alongside Plano at No. 2 and Laredo at No. 6, Dallas and Houston were positioned in the bottom 10, with Houston ranked second from last. This disparity highlights the diverse safety profiles within the state.
