Yes, Australia is generally considered safer than the U.S., primarily due to significantly lower rates of violent crime, especially gun violence and homicide, stemming from stricter gun control and a generally more peaceful culture, though both have localized crime issues, with Australia sometimes showing high rates in specific property crimes compared to some other nations. Australia consistently ranks high on global safety indices, while the U.S. experiences more frequent large-scale violent events like mass shootings, making daily life feel more secure for many in Australia.
Homicide rate: Australia's homicide rate hovers around 0.8 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. rate of approximately 6 per 100,000. Property crime: Both countries experience property crime, but Australia's rates are generally lower, and violent property crimes (like armed burglary) are less common.
Groceries, dining out, and utilities tend to be more expensive than in many parts of the U.S. However, Australia's minimum wage is among the highest in the world, which helps offset some of these costs for residents. America offers a broader range of living costs, largely due to its size and diversity.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Australia ranks as the 2nd safest country in the world for 2026 🇦🇺✨ New global safety findings highlight Australia's strong healthcare system, low crime levels, political stability, and high quality of life.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Terrorism in the USA
Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in the US. Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by tourists and foreign nationals such as: crowded places and mass gatherings. transportation networks.
Safest Places To Travel – Safety From Terrorism
Crime rate by country 2025: 10 countries with the highest crime...
The 2024 GPI indicates Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Malaysia and Canada to be the most peaceful countries, while Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo, Russia, Syria, Israel and Mali to be the least peaceful.
💰 Lower Cost of Education and Living
Tuition fees are generally 20–30% lower in Australia than in the USA. Public healthcare is partially available to international students through Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Cities like Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane offer lower living costs than US metro areas.
Yes, $100k is generally considered a strong salary in Australia, placing you above the average (which hovers around $90k-$108k for full-time, but median is lower) and allowing for a comfortable life, though its impact depends heavily on location (major city vs. regional) and personal expenses like housing and dependents, as high living costs in cities like Sydney can stretch this income further than in regional areas.
The United Nations process the annual World Happiness Report to understand what happiness is and how it affects our lives, cultures and economy. Australia is ranked under 12, Canada 15 and the United States is 16th and a popular destination for most South Africans, the United Kingdom is 17th.
It is estimated that of all Australian adults: 11.3% (2.2 million) had experienced violence from a partner (current or previous cohabiting) 5.9% (1.1 million) had experienced violence from a boyfriend, girlfriend or date. 7.0% (1.4 million) had experienced violence from another family member (ABS 2023c).
Crime levels
Australia reported 46.01 crimes per 100,000 citizens. Australia is ranked 69th out of 164 countries when it comes to crime in general while Canada did better with only 39.03 crimes per 100,000 and ranking 80th.
Life in Australia is generally considered very good, with high rankings for quality of life, happiness, healthcare, and education, offering a strong economy, multicultural environment, and outdoor lifestyle, though high costs (especially housing), taxes, and potential remoteness can be challenges.
Iceland - Safest Country for 15 Consecutive Years
Iceland tops the list with the lowest crime and highest safety levels worldwide, according to the Global Peace Index 2025. With a small population of around 382,000, Iceland is noted for very low violent crime and strong community trust.
1. Memphis. Memphis has one of the highest crime rates in the country at 2,437 per 100,000 people, with assault leading the list. The city has addressed these issues through targeted policing and community engagement initiatives.
The top 10 most dangerous places
The Czech Republic has long been among the countries that international rankings rate as safe and stable. According to the Travel Safety Index 2025, the Czech Republic ranked 6th out of 180 countries, while the Global Peace Index 2025 ranked it 11th out of 163 countries.
The following states rank as the top 10 safest states in America:
Japan Travel Safety By The Numbers
The State Department has Japan at a level-one status, the status reserved for the safest countries on earth. Numbeo has Japan as the 11th safest country, Tokyo as the world's 41st safest city (out of 334) and Osaka as its 103rd-safest city.
No, the Canada crime rate is generally lower than in the U.S., especially for violent crimes such as homicide and gun-related offenses. What are the safest cities in Canada for expats?
The United States remains in a heightened threat environment.
More stats than ever are saying crime may actually be going down. Still, safety is far from a non-issue. Only about half of Americans say they feel safe in their state, and the focus of concern has changed. In 2024, theft and burglary were the most concerning crimes, with gun violence and cybercrime close behind.