America’s Safest Suburbs in 2025

Why Frisco and McKinney Made the Cut

As we enter the second half of 2025, safety remains a top concern for families choosing suburban life. A recent comprehensive ranking by SmartAsset—evaluating 360 suburbs located within a 45‑minute drive of a major urban center—has revealed which communities stand out in terms of real safety and overall social well‑being. Among those communities, two North Texas cities—McKinney and Frisco—have secured a coveted spot in the top 10 safest suburbs in America.

Understanding SmartAsset’s Safety Ranking

SmartAsset’s methodology draws on five key metrics:

1. Violent crime rates at the city level

2. Property crime rates, also measured city‑wide

3. Drug overdose deaths, analyzed at the county level

4. Traffic fatalities, again at county level

5. Excessive drinking rates among adults, by county

Only suburbs within close proximity to urban centers qualified—so these communities offer both suburban tranquility and practical access to city amenities.

Where Frisco and McKinney Rank

According to SmartAsset’s July 2025 report:

• McKinney, TX is ranked 9th on the list of safest suburbs

• Frisco, TX closely follows at 10th

These rankings reflect consistently low crime rates, minimal overdose deaths, and favorable traffic safety outcomes, positioning them at the top among more than 350 evaluated suburbs nationwide.

Frisco, TX: A Safeguard Story

Safety in Numbers

Frisco lands at No. 10 thanks to exceptionally low levels of violent and property crime, as well as among the lowest overdose death rates in the entire SmartAsset data set. The city exhibited strong performance across all five safety factors.

Community & Lifestyle

Frisco has seen explosive growth—estimates place its 2025 population around 240,000, up from about 200,500 in the 2020 census. It's emerged as a regional hub for families and professionals alike, offering robust infrastructure, sprawling parks, and a vibrant civic life.

Economic Well‑Being

Median monthly housing payment in Frisco was recorded at approximately $2,389, while the typical household income was around $146,158—a solid margin that supports financial stability and community investment.

McKinney, TX: Safety Meets Affordability

A Spot Just Ahead

McKinney earned the 9th place ranking, edging out Frisco by a narrow margin—thanks in large part to its exceptionally low overdose and traffic‑fatality rates.

Fiscal Details

In McKinney, the median housing cost is lower—around $2,101 per month, versus a median household income of $120,273. This ratio underscores an affordability advantage alongside safety.

Neighborhood & Growth

Modern McKinney blends scenic historic districts and new master‑planned communities. Its police department has earned both state and national accreditations (TPCAF and CALEA), reflecting a commitment to professional, community‑based policing.

Why Frisco and McKinney Shine

1. Low Overall Crime

Both cities boast violent and property crime rates well below national averages. While SmartAsset doesn’t disclose exact figures for every suburb, the rankings clearly reflect strong performance.

2. Minimal Overdose Deaths

Collin County, which contains both cities, had some of the lowest drug overdose death rates among the 360‑suburb sample, giving both Frisco and McKinney an edge on that front.

3. Traffic Safety Metrics

The county‑level traffic fatality rate is favorable—at approximately 6.88 per 100,000 residents—well below national norms and boosting both suburbs’ scores.

4. Moderated Excessive Drinking

About 18.2% of Collin County adults report excessive drinking—a relatively low percentage in this type of measurement, which supports healthier lifestyles overall.

5. Balanced Affordability

Though housing costs in both cities are higher than many national averages, neither suburb appears overstretched. McKinney, in particular, stands out for offering better affordability relative to household income.

What This Means for Families and Prospective Movers

Ideal for Safety‑Focused Households

Parents seeking neighborhoods where safety is top‑priority will find reassurance in how both cities score across multiple dimensions of risk—crime, substance abuse, traffic incidents, and more.

Stable and Thriving Economies

Both suburbs offer well‑funded public services, schools, and municipal functions. Frisco, for instance, has a robust education system (Frisco ISD with over 67,000 students as of 2023), while McKinney plays host to new schools like Emerson High School (opened 2021) with strong performance.

Infrastructure & Planning Support Growth

These communities have managed fast population growth through smart planning—expanding roads, parks, recreation facilities, and civic amenities while keeping services responsive.

Lifestyle & Commute Vendor Balance

Within a 45‑minute radius of Dallas, both Frisco and McKinney offer suburban tranquillity without sacrificing access to metropolitan employment, arts, entertainment, and healthcare.

Sidebar: National and Regional Context

Who Tops the 2025 List?

At the top of the SmartAsset ranking is Lehi, Utah, which holds its spot as the safest suburb for the second year running. Only 9.4% of adults report excessive drinking there—an indicator of strong public wellness dynamics.

Other Texas Suburbs

Beyond Frisco and McKinney, other Dallas‑Fort Worth suburbs like Seagoville and Denton also make the top 100 (Seagoville at No. 89 and Denton at No. 90). Additional MoneyGeek studies have separately ranked Frisco as No. 2 safest in Texas, alongside Pearland, Plano, Sugar Land, and McKinney all ranking above Round Rock.

Keys to Sustained Safety in Frisco & McKinney

1. Proactive law enforcement with community engagement
   – Local police departments pursue national accreditation, thoughtful training, and neighborhood outreach.

2. Public health emphasis
   – With low overdose and excessive drinking rates, both cities benefit from strong public awareness and prevention programs.

3. Smart growth strategies
   – Infrastructure keeps pace with population, avoiding congestion and traffic‑related safety issues.

4. Community cohesion and design
   – Walkable areas, parks, and civic centers foster trust and mutual oversight among residents.

Looking Ahead: Into 2026 and Beyond

Given their strong foundation in safety metrics and quality of life, Frisco and McKinney seem poised to remain among the nation’s safest suburbs in coming years. Continued investment in public services, infrastructure, and neighborhood stability is key. Meanwhile, both cities maintain affordability relative to income—and importantly, solid reputations for livability, civic engagement, and sustained growth.

Conclusion

SmartAsset’s 2025 ranking confirms what many Collin County residents already know: McKinney (No. 9) and Frisco (No. 10) offer an impressive blend of safety, affordability, and modern suburban amenities. Whether you're raising a family, settling into a quiet community, or balancing commute times with quality of life, these Dallas‑area suburbs deliver strong performance across all key safety dimensions.

For those evaluating safe suburban communities with thriving economies and thoughtful growth strategies, Frisco and McKinney stand out in 2025—and likely beyond.