Philadelphia Ranks Near Bottom in Safest Cities Report
A new WalletHub study places Philadelphia 178th out of 182 major American cities for overall public safety.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Violence
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Philadelphia ranked 178th among 182 U.S. cities in WalletHubs 2026 Safest Cities in America report. The analysis evaluated cities based on 41 metrics including crime rates, financial stability, and natural disaster risk.
Why it matters
The study aims to provide elected officials with data to prioritize safety initiatives and address ongoing concerns in urban environments. Rankings offer a comparative look at how city-specific policies impact overall resident safety.
Philadelphia recorded 108 homicides as of August 2026. The city currently employs 3.2 police officers per 1,000 residents, a decrease from 3.9 in 2021 and 4.25 in 1985.
The players
WalletHub
This personal finance website regularly publishes comparative studies and rankings of U.S. cities across various socioeconomic and safety metrics.
Philadelphia Police Department
This municipal law enforcement agency is responsible for policing activities within Philadelphia and manages the city's officer staffing levels.
The details
Researchers evaluated cities using data gathered through September 21, 2026, across categories of home and community safety, financial security, and disaster risk. Philadelphia placed 176th for home and community safety, 159th for financial safety, and 137th for natural disaster risk.
Timeline
1985: The police staffing ratio was 4.25 officers per 1,000 residents.
2021: The police staffing ratio declined to 3.9 per 1,000 residents.
2025: Police staffing reached 3.2 per 1,000 residents.
September 21, 2026: Data collection concluded for the report.
October 19, 2026: The Safest Cities in America 2026 report was released.
Legal Context
This analysis updates the narrative on municipal safety by benchmarking local performance against a standardized national dataset. It highlights how cities like Philadelphia diverge from the trends seen in the top-ranked locations such as Juneau and Warwick.
The report highlights metrics that may influence local policy discussions regarding public safety resource allocation. Residents can track these trends as city officials respond to the comparative findings and safety data.
The takeaway
Comparative city reports serve as a tool for residents to monitor how their local environment stacks up against national benchmarks. Understanding these metrics helps citizens participate more effectively in community safety dialogues.
Further reading
For more information on local safety trends, visit the Philadelphia Violence section.
Live Poll
Do you trust national safety rankings to accurately describe the safety of your own community?
