The Safest Cities for Snowbirds 2026

Key takeaways

• Punta Gorda, Florida; Vero Beach, Florida; and Port St. Lucie, Florida, are the safest cities for snowbirds of the cities analyzed.
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Long Beach, California; and Phoenix, Arizona, are the least safe cities for snowbirds of the cities analyzed.
• Port St. Lucie has the lowest average property crime rate in the winter (23.7 per 100K residents), while Fort Lauderdale has the highest (364.5 per 100K residents).
• Punta Gorda has the lowest violent crime rate in the winter (1.6 per 100K residents), while Mobile, Alabama, has the highest (64.5 per 100K residents).

For snowbirds, from retirees to remote workers who head south for the winter, sunshine isn't the only thing worth chasing. Safety and access to healthcare have become equally important factors in choosing a seasonal destination. Vivint conducted a data-driven analysis of 55 U.S. cities to uncover where snowbirds can find both warm weather and peace of mind.

Cities were ranked using a weighted analysis of winter crime rates, climate comfort, and healthcare access. The study evaluated average winter property and violent crime rates, including burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft, alongside average high winter temperatures and the availability of urgent care centers to identify the most snowbird-friendly destinations. Here's what we found.

The safest snowbird destinations, ranked

With their combination of mild winters and low crime rates, many Florida cities stood out in the rankings, taking 7 of the top 10 spots.

Punta Gorda, Vero Beach, and Port St. Lucie ranked as the safest cities for snowbirds overall. The top two locations consistently performed well across multiple safety metrics, including low rates of violent and property crime, as well as solid access to urgent care facilities. Florida's favorable climate also makes it a top choice for those prioritizing both comfort and security during the winter months. Three Arizona cities also ranked in the top 10 safest cities for snowbirds: Buckeye, Gilbert, and Surprise.

Of the 55 cities analyzed, those that scored the lowest on our safety scale were Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Long Beach, California; and Phoenix, Arizona.

Crime rates and healthcare access vary widely by city

Some cities offer a safer winter escape than others, and when it comes to crime and healthcare access, the differences are striking. Here's how the cities ranked in each of our categories.

Florida's Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, and Marco Island reported the lowest property crime rates in winter, offering snowbirds more peace of mind during their seasonal stays. In contrast, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Springs, and Tempe ranked at the bottom of the list for property-related offenses, making them less ideal for those concerned about theft or break-ins.

Fort Lauderdale had the highest average winter property crime rate at 364.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. Mobile had the most violent crimes recorded, averaging 64.5 incidents in the same period, while Punta Gorda had the lowest rate (1.6).

Urgent care access was another critical factor. Palm Springs, Punta Gorda, and Vero Beach offered the best availability of urgent care centers, while Key West, Pensacola, and Lake Havasu City ranked lowest, potentially posing challenges for snowbirds needing quick medical attention.

Planning your winter getaway with peace of mind

Whether you’re relocating for a few months or planning a long-term seasonal escape, safety plays a major role in where snowbirds choose to spend the winter. This analysis shows how widely crime rates and healthcare access can vary, even among well-known snowbird destinations. Cities that pair warm winter temperatures with lower crime and strong urgent care access offer a more reliable sense of comfort and security. Choosing the right location can make the difference between simply enjoying the weather and truly feeling at ease all winter long.

Methodology

To identify the safest U.S. cities for snowbirds, Vivint conducted a multi-factor analysis of 55 cities focused on public safety, winter climate comfort, and access to urgent medical care during peak snowbird months.

Crime data was sourced from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program and analyzed across three winter seasons (January–March) from 2023 through 2025. For each city, we used average winter crime rates per 100,000 residents to account for population differences and reduce the impact of year-to-year fluctuations. The analysis included the following crime categories: property crime, violent crime, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.

The ranking also incorporated average high winter temperatures (January–March) to reflect climate comfort and urgent care accessibility, measured using Yelp listings of urgent care centers within each city. Yelp data reflects publicly available business information at the time of collection and is subject to change.

Each metric was weighted as follows:

• Average winter property crime rate: 25%
• Average winter violent crime rate: 25%
• Average winter burglary rate: 10%
• Average winter larceny rate: 10%
• Average winter motor vehicle theft rate: 10%
• Average high winter temperatures: 10%
• Urgent care accessibility: 10%

Limitations: This study includes only cities with complete and reliable data available across all metrics. Cities lacking sufficient FBI UCR reporting or urgent care data were excluded. Crime statistics are subject to reporting practices and may not capture all incidents, and unreported crime is not reflected in this analysis. Yelp urgent care listings may change over time and may not represent all healthcare options available to residents or seasonal visitors. Additionally, this study does not account for individual neighborhood-level variation, personal safety behaviors, or temporary population changes during peak snowbird season. As a result, rankings reflect relative safety among the cities included in the study, rather than an absolute measure of safety.

Fair Use Statement

We invite you to share the insights from this study for noncommercial purposes. Please include a link back to Vivint so readers can access the full analysis and methodology.