Violent crime
What it means
This looks at serious crime signals where official records are available. It should always be read with local context.
How we calculate it
We compare reported serious crime signals against the broader set of cities. Lower reported risk improves the safety signal.
Sources and freshness
FBI CDE, local public safety records, UNODC, and vetted regional records.
Source periods vary by place. City pages show dated source context for the applicable measure when it is available.
Limitations
Reporting practices, definitions, coverage periods, and underreporting vary. Citywide data may not describe a particular neighborhood.
Property crime
What it means
This looks at theft and property risk signals that can affect daily comfort and insurance needs.
How we calculate it
We compare reported property crime signals and blend them with other local risk context when direct city records are limited.
Sources and freshness
FBI CDE, local public safety records, UNODC, Numbeo, and vetted regional records.
Source periods vary by place. City pages show dated source context for the applicable measure when it is available.
Limitations
Reported property crime varies with local definitions and reporting. It should be read with current neighborhood and insurance research.
Local risk
What it means
Local risk can include disaster exposure, emergency response, and other concerns that may affect daily life.
How we calculate it
We add public risk signals such as flood, storm, heat, wildfire, and emergency context where those records are available.
Sources and freshness
FEMA, NOAA, ThinkHazard, INFORM, local emergency records, and public safety records.
Source periods vary by place. City pages show dated source context for the applicable measure when it is available.
Limitations
Hazard exposure is context, not an address level prediction. Property, elevation, construction, insurance, and preparedness can change risk.
Stability
What it means
For international places, stability gives extra context about whether a country or region may carry broader risk.
How we calculate it
We use country and regional stability measures as background context, especially when city level safety records are thin.
Sources and freshness
World Bank, UN records, INFORM, and public country risk records.
Source periods vary by place. City pages show dated source context for the applicable measure when it is available.
Limitations
Country and regional stability measures do not describe every city, neighborhood, or day to day experience within that area.