The 21 Safest States in the US for Solo Women Travelers

Solo women travelers make up a big portion of adventurers around the world. However, for this demographic, safety is of the utmost concern. There are a lot of different considerations for what makes a spot safe for women travelers, but for this list, we’ll be looking at World Population Review’s (WPR) statistics on overall safety, crime rate, human trafficking rates, and missing persons rates.

I have weighted the overall safety and crime rate heavier than the human trafficking and missing persons rates, as they are more general variables. However, keep in mind that the WPR statistics on overall safety involve a few variables that aren’t relevant to women’s travel (such as financial and workplace safety), so the variable alone does not dictate the ranking, and editorial discretion was also a factor.

Be sure to investigate which safety variables are most important to you as you consider where to go in the United States. Also, keep in mind that a state can have considerable variation depending on which city you’re visiting. Rural areas are often safer than urban hubs (though not always). Finally, this list considers Washington D.C. in its rankings, so you’ll notice the variables are ranked out of 51, as opposed to the more common 50. Now let’s discover the 21 safest US states for women solo travelers!

21. Oregon

Oregon is one of the most beautiful and safest spots for solo women travelers to explore. The state is home to an epic capital and a long list of beautiful parks. And if you’re a wine snob, Oregon boasts some of the most delicious wine produced in America!

Lowest Crime Rate: 42/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 47/51
WPR Overall Safety: 12/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 47/51

20. Washington

Washington’s beauty is one of the best-kept secrets of the American West. It’s a great spot for solo women travelers, with fun cities, great food, and beautiful natural spots to explore. Visit the San Juan Islands for an oceanic adventure, or stay in Seattle and soak up the art scene.

Lowest Crime Rate: 44/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 41/51
WPR Overall Safety: 9/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 43/51

19. Hawaii

This is good news: the gorgeous state of Hawaii is also one of the safest for solo women travelers! With beautiful beaches, delicious food, and unique flora and fauna, Hawaii is a truly stunning place to visit.

Lowest Crime Rate: 38/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 16/51
WPR Overall Safety: 11/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 49/51

18. West Virginia

West Virginia is one of the safest states in America for solo women travelers. It’s an astonishingly beautiful state, with national and state parks worth perusing. Blackwater Falls State Park and Monongahela National Forest are two of the most gorgeous spots in the state.

Lowest Crime Rate: 9/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 22/51
WPR Overall Safety: 33/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 35/51

17. Michigan

The beautiful state of Michigan is also one of the safest spots in America for solo women travelers to visit. If you’re looking for fun cities, head to Detroit and Grand Rapids. But the state is also a great place for outdoor explorers, with access to four out of five of the Great Lakes!

Lowest Crime Rate: 11/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 39/51
WPR Overall Safety: 26/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 26/51

16. North Carolina

Located on the East Coast in the southern region of America is the beautiful state of North Carolina. With fun cities like Charleston and brilliant parks, North Carolina has something for everyone. With moderate rankings in all four variables, North Carolina is one of the safest states for women travelers.

Lowest Crime Rate: 25/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 17/51
WPR Overall Safety: 21/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 21/51

15. Utah

Located in the American West, the state of Utah is one of the most beautiful states in the country. It’s also one of the safest, with great overall safety and low missing persons. Salt Lake City is a great metro hub to visit if you’re interested in museums, history, religion, and art, but the big draw of the state is its natural beauty. Utah is home to multiple national parks, including Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Canyonlands.

Lowest Crime Rate: 39/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 25/51
WPR Overall Safety: 4/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 19/51

14. Pennsylvania

The great state of Pennsylvania is a historic state with a lot to do and see. It’s also one of the safest states for solo women travelers, with low crime, missing persons, and human trafficking rates. There are some wonderful historic sites to check out in this state, including the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Valley Forge National Historical Park. The state is also home to Fallingwater, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright building.

Lowest Crime Rate: 17/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 3/51
WPR Overall Safety: 29/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 12/51

13. New York

The state of New York is one of the safest places in America for solo women travelers. It has the tenth-lowest crime rate in all of America! Head to the Big Apple if you’re looking for food and art, or take your trip upstate for some calm, natural beauty.

Lowest Crime Rate: 10/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 15/51
WPR Overall Safety: 22/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 22/51

12. Iowa

Many Midwestern states are pretty safe for women explorers, including Iowa! Iowa is a beautiful state with some fun attractions. A lot of the state is rural, but there are some stunning parks in Iowa, including the Maquoketa Caves State Park.

Lowest Crime Rate: 18/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 34/51
WPR Overall Safety: 13/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 3/51

11. Minnesota

Minnesota is another Midwestern state that is one of the best spots in America for solo women travelers to visit. This state is home to some super fun attractions, including the Mall of America and the Minneapolis Art Museum. If you’re looking for a nice place to take a stroll, consider stopping by the Gooseberry Falls State Park.

Lowest Crime Rate: 29/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 10/51
WPR Overall Safety: 8/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 7/51

10. Wisconsin

The beautiful, Midwest state of Wisconsin is the tenth-safest state in America for solo women travelers. If you’re a museum buff, check out the Milwaukee Art Museum or the Harley Davidson Museum! For those of you with a foodie bend, you’ll want to focus on Wisconsin’s most-known product: cheese!

Lowest Crime Rate: 11/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 6/51
WPR Overall Safety: 23/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 5/51

9. Maine

The most northerly state in the continental US is also one of the safest! Maine ranks highly in two of the primary indicators of safety for women travelers. If you’re looking for a fun, artsy port city, check out Portland. Maine also has astonishing national parks, including Acadia National Park, which are absolutely worth exploring!

Lowest Crime Rate: 3/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 24/51
WPR Overall Safety: 2/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 39/51

8. Connecticut

The second of the New England states on the list is Connecticut. Located in the northeast portion of the United States, New England clearly boasts some of the safest states in the country. Connecticut is the perfect state to visit if you’ve got an academic bend. Yale University, the Mark Twain House, and Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art are all located in this beautiful state.

Lowest Crime Rate: 13/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 4/51
WPR Overall Safety: 7/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 28/51

7. Idaho

Located in the Midwest, Idaho is not generally thought to be one of the more exciting states in America. However, Idaho is home to some stunning natural attractions. Farragut State Park is one of the most beautiful spots in Idaho, boasting a stunning lake. Of course, you can always focus your energy on enjoying the state’s most iconic crop: potatoes!

Lowest Crime Rate: 4/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 9/51
WPR Overall Safety: 12/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 29/51

6. Vermont

For ladies looking to enjoy the mountains, Vermont is a perfect destination. It’s the sixth-safest spot in the country for solo women travelers, with great scores in both crime rate and overall safety. Vermont has beautiful mountains and parks, perfect for the outdoorsy explorer.

Lowest Crime Rate: 6/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 20/51
WPR Overall Safety: 1/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 35/51

5. New Jersey

The state of New Jersey is also one of the safest states in America for solo women travelers. It’s a gorgeous state, with big cities, great shorelines, and more. The state also houses a lot of history, including the Thomas Edison House. If you’re looking to get outside, check out the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park for some beauty and some history!

Lowest Crime Rate: 5/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 8/51
WPR Overall Safety: 15/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 15/51

4. Virginia

The beautiful state of Virginia takes the fourth-place spot for the safest states in America for solo women travelers. Virginia is a beautiful state in great proximity to some of the highlights of the East Coast. With brilliant hikes and wonderful urban centers, Virginia offers a fun, varied experience for women travelers.

Lowest Crime Rate: 8/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 7/51
WPR Overall Safety: 11/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 14/51

3. Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island takes the third-place spot for the safest states in the US for solo women travelers. It’s a beautiful, small state with some seriously incredible things to see! If you’re interested in checking out a quirky, fun art scene, be sure to stop into Providence while you’re in the area.

Lowest Crime Rate: 7/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 2/51
WPR Overall Safety: 10/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 1/51

2. New Hampshire

The charming state of New Hampshire is yet another New England state dominating in the safest states to visit in America for solo women travelers. This state is home to some incredible natural attractions. Visit Franconia Notch State Park in the fall for some unbelievable views.

Lowest Crime Rate: 1/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 9/51
WPR Overall Safety: 3/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 13/51

1. Massachusetts

Finally, the safest state in the United States for women solo travelers is the beautiful New England state of Massachusetts. It’s a historical state full of exciting things to do and see. Head to Boston for museums and Fenway park or enjoy the water at one of the state’s many beaches.

Lowest Crime Rate: 2/51
Lowest Human Trafficking Rate: 1/51
WPR Overall Safety: 6/51
Lowest Missing Persons: 2/51