The 10 Safest Cities for Drivers in America
Where you live affects your finances in a myriad of ways. One critical component is how much you pay for car insurance.
Living in a city with higher collision risks can lead to higher insurance premiums, regardless of your personal driving record. This is where Allstate’s 2026 Best Drivers Report can shine some light on the safest areas to drive.
The insurer examined the 200 most populous US cities, using insurance claims and Drivewise app data — the app you download to monitor your driving behavior in hopes of a lower rate. These findings show how where you live can affect your insurance rate.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice – straight to your e-mail.
These are the safest cities for drivers
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Allstate found that Brownsville, Texas, is the safest city in the US for drivers. Drivers living there only experience a collision once every 15 years. Meanwhile, in Boston, Massachusetts, drivers can experience collisions every 3.76 years. That makes it more than four times less likely you’ll crash in Brownsville.
Along with Brownsville, here are the top 10 safest cities for drivers:
- Brownsville, Texas
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Boise, Idaho
- Laredo, Texas
- Cary, North Carolina
- Madison, Wisconsin
- McAllen, Texas (New to top 10)
- Colorado Springs, Colorado (New to top 10)
- Eugene, Oregon
- Olathe, Kansas
You’ll notice a few trends from this list. Not surprisingly, living in a smaller to medium-sized city lowers your risk.
And it isn’t just about the sheer number of drivers you encounter on your commutes. Allstate’s Drivewise data show that drivers in larger cities such as Miami and Boston tend to use their phones more while driving, resulting in elevated risk.
If you live someplace more collision-prone, check your insurance rate regularly to ensure you have the best deal. Use this Bankrate tool to compare options quickly:
Night driving is also more prevalent in larger cities. Allstate found that driving at night is highest in larger cities, such as Washington, DC, Las Vegas and New York. With nighttime driving come elevated risks such as drowsy driving, hard-to-see road hazards and drunk drivers.
Another trend is regionality. The Northeast is home to seven of the 10 most dangerous driving cities, with three being in Massachusetts (Boston, Springfield and Worcester). Meanwhile, the safest cities were predominantly western, with three in Texas and two in Colorado.
While geography plays a massive role in your insurance costs, it isn’t the only factor you can influence. Even if you don’t live in one of these top-tier cities, you can still take control of your financial protection.
How to protect your car insurance rate
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Industry experts recommend the following tips to keep your policy low while protecting your finances:
- Buy a dash cam: Insurance fraud cases often involve “crash for cash” scams. A dash cam can provide irrefutable evidence to back up your claims. This can protect you financially from higher insurance rates and out-of-pocket expenses resulting from judgments exceeding coverage limits.
- Document everything during an accident: Take pictures of all vehicles involved, property, road conditions and skid marks. This can refute “soft fraud” claims where others might exaggerate damages.
- Be cautious of insurance deals: You’ll see social media ads promising ridiculously low prices for insurance coverage. These ghost agents can take your money and cancel your policy without your knowledge, leaving you on the hook for any accidents caused in the meantime.
- Check for specific coverage gaps: Beyond standard liability, check your policy for exclusions. Some carriers won’t cover damages animals cause to cars, resulting in thousands in repair bills. So, make sure to read your policy thoroughly and contact your agent with any questions on coverage gaps.
While your city’s collision risk is a factor you can’t control, your approach to insurance and risk management is in your hands. By staying informed about your coverage and taking proactive steps like installing a dash cam, you protect your wallet, no matter where you drive.
