This city in Illinois was just named America’s richest and safest…and many have never heard of it

U.S. 2025’s top 50 wealthiest and safest cities—New Jersey shines, New York misses out

A newly released ranking by GOBankingRates reveals the 50 most affluent and secure cities in the U.S. for 2025. The methodology factors in elements such as average household income, home values, living costs, and both property and violent crime statistics. Western Springs, Illinois, emerges as the top performer, while New York cities don’t make the cut despite their reputation. Meanwhile, New Jersey earns an impressive seven entries on the list.

Top three overall:

• Western Springs, Illinois – Leading the list with a mean household income near $295,000, a reasonable average home price of about $837,000, and remarkably low crime figures.

• Lexington, Massachusetts – Ranks second, paired with high incomes and low crime, but the average home value is steep—around $1.69 million.

• Winchester, Massachusetts – Comes in third with similarly robust wealth and safety metrics.

New Jersey highlights:

7 New Jersey municipalities secure places in the ranking:

• Ridgewood (#11) – Most notable of the state’s entries, with a mean income of about $288,861, strong safety indicators, and average home prices around $1.18 million.

• Additional towns include: Westfield (#13), Madison (#21), Haddonfield (#22), Glen Ridge (#23), Summit (#31), and Metuchen (#50).

Interestingly, despite its economic prominence, New York state doesn’t have a single city in the top 50 list.

What readers are saying

• Many readers are expressing disbelief that New York cities were absent, given the state’s economic powerhouses.

• A few speculate this omission highlights shifting suburban dynamics where affluence and safety are increasingly concentrated outside urban centers.

• A number of people seem intrigued by Western Springs topping the list, noting its blend of prosperity and manageable housing costs sounds enviable.

• Some comparisons to similarly sized suburban enclaves around major cities are being drawn.

Methodology discussions

• A few people question the metrics, especially around how “cities” are defined. Some assumed a broader urban center, so listing commuter towns and suburbs has sparked debate.

• Crime rate versus cost of living balances also come up in discussions, with readers curious how trade-offs were evaluated.

Final thoughts

The list shines a spotlight on smaller, wealthier, safe communities—many of which are suburbs or commuter towns—rather than the major urban centers one might expect. New Jersey’s strong representation and the lack of New York entries are particularly striking. The ranking appears to strike a chord with readers intrigued by shifts in wealth distribution and livability preferences.