Most Dangerous States

The complex panorama of safety across the United States is increasingly inviting comprehensive study, as concerns arise over disparate quality of life indices in different states. As integral as safety is to any society's fabric, it serves as a crucial deciding factor for families seeking to relocate and shape their futures. In the light of the Global Peace Index ranking the U.S. as the 128th-safest country in the world out of 163, a deeper dive into safety metrics at the state level offers valuable insights.

Drawing from a diverse range of 53 indicators, we devised a 'Danger Index Score' to measure the safety, or lack thereof, in all 50 states. These cover Personal & Residential Safety, Financial Safety, Road Safety, Workplace Safety, and Emergency Preparedness, offering a comprehensive view of each state's safety status.

• Massachusetts, with a score of 80.4, makes it the safest state in the United States, followed by New Jersey at 79.4. The third and fourth positions go to New Hampshire and Rhode Island, both of which are in New England, indicating a clustering of safety in this region.
• Louisiana, with the lowest score at 51.4, is considered the most dangerous state. Alaska and New Mexico follow closely behind, with scores of 55.1 and 55.4 respectively.
• There is a noteworthy split between states from the southern part of the United States and those from the northeast region: Southern states tend to have lower 'Danger Index Scores', thus implying a higher level of danger, while northeastern states - exemplified by Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont - are perceived as safer, with higher scores.