PORTLAND, Ore. – A new study analyzing crime and safety data across major U.S. cities has placed Portland, Oregon, within the top 50 safest cities in the nation. The ranking, published by SmartAsset, offers a snapshot of how Portland compares with other metropolitan areas when it comes to public safety, traffic risks, and health-related concerns.
How the Study Was Conducted
SmartAsset reviewed 50 of the largest U.S. cities, evaluating them across multiple categories. These included:
- Violent crime rates
- Property crime rates
- Vehicular mortality rates (traffic deaths per 100,000 residents)
- Drug overdose deaths
- Other public safety metrics, such as excessive drinking rates among adults
The goal was to provide a broad, data-driven perspective on where residents are statistically most — and least — safe in their day-to-day lives.
Portland’s Position on the List
Portland came in at No. 43, placing it toward the lower end of the rankings but still among the 50 safest large cities nationwide.
While the city struggles with higher property crime compared to some of its peers, Portland scored relatively better on drug overdose and traffic fatality rates, which helped boost its overall position.
The study acknowledged that Portland’s strengths in those areas distinguish it from other cities ranked nearby on the list, though concerns around violent crime and theft remain ongoing challenges.
West Coast Cities Dominate the Top
Interestingly, the safest city in the U.S., according to the study, was San Jose, California. The Bay Area city landed in the top 10 across every category analyzed. San Jose reported the third lowest violent crime rate among major cities and the fifth lowest property crime rate, making it the standout leader…