Pennsylvania is the 32nd-safest state, according to a new WalletHub study comparing the 50 states across 52 key metrics. The analysis considered factors ranging from assaults and traffic fatalities per capita to losses from climate disasters and the unemployment rate.
With news of accidents, natural disasters, violent crime, massive layoffs and other tragedies constantly in the news, it can be hard not to worry about the safety of your family, both physically and financially. However, living in the right state can help minimize your stress.
“The safest states in America protect their residents from harm in a multitude of different ways, from keeping crime rates low and maintaining safe roadways to having strong economies and job markets that prevent people from falling into dangerous financial situations. They have high levels of occupational safety and disaster preparedness, too,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “In addition, states are made safer by efforts that individual residents take, such as forming a neighborhood watch or working in firefighting and EMT jobs at high rates.”
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In-Depth Look at Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has the third-fewest elder abuse complaints per capita, which demonstrates that residents take good care of the senior population. The state also has the sixth-most EMTs and paramedics per capita, allowing for quick responses to emergency situations. In addition, the Keystone State has the sixth-fewest hate crime incidents per capita, making the state a safer place for minorities.
Pennsylvania falls short in other areas, though. For example, the state has the second-worst driving behavior, based on factors like speeding, harsh braking and phone use behind the wheel, making it a relatively dangerous place to drive. It also had the sixth-most new unemployment claims per capita last year, which put some residents into a risky financial situation. Plus, it had the fifth-most mass shootings between January 2024 and September 2026.
How Pennsylvania Ranks in Key Categories
- 15th for Personal & Residential Safety
- 24th for Financial Safety
- 27th for Road Safety
- 42nd for Workplace Safety
- 27th for Emergency Preparedness
This puts Pennsylvania in 32nd place overall out of the 50 states in WalletHub's study.
Safest States in the U.S.
Overall Rank* | State | Total Score | Personal & Residential Safety Rank | Financial Safety Rank | Road Safety Rank | Workplace Safety Rank | Emergency Preparedness Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Vermont | 66.63 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 11 |
2 | Massachusetts | 66.58 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 23 | 9 |
3 | Maine | 65.93 | 4 | 16 | 8 | 21 | 2 |
4 | New Hampshire | 65.16 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 41 | 4 |
5 | Connecticut | 63.40 | 1 | 21 | 21 | 25 | 15 |
6 | Utah | 62.73 | 35 | 26 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
7 | Minnesota | 61.77 | 23 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 23 |
8 | Indiana | 60.83 | 7 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 28 |
9 | Rhode Island | 60.19 | 8 | 20 | 16 | 39 | 8 |
10 | Hawaii | 59.97 | 20 | 2 | 26 | 22 | 13 |
