10 Safest Neighborhoods in D.C. To Check Out

It’s not hard to fall in love with Washington, D.C. Among the many reasons to admire the nation’s capital is the one-of-a-kind neighborhoods that offer everything — from rich history and access to a variety of outdoor activities to lots of job opportunities and excellent food scenes. And it’s evident that D.C. isn’t just drawing in visitors. In fact, from July of 2022 to July of 2023 alone, the city grew by more than 8,000 residents — one of the largest percentages of population growth in the entire country. But if you’re one of the many people looking to move to the nation’s capital, chances are you’re interested in finding the safest neighborhoods in D.C. Because, unfortunately, one thing’s for certain: Living in D.C. means living in a city with a high crime rate.

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According to NeighborhoodScout, Washington, D.C., is only safer than 4 percent of cities across the country. And to make matters worse, when looking at other major U.S. cities with not-so-stellar crime rates — such as New York and Chicago — the crime rates in D.C. are still a bit higher. 

So what do you do if your heart’s set on moving to the nation’s capital? You look into the safest neighborhoods in the D.C. area. Here are the ones that top our list. 

Safest Neighborhoods in D.C. — FAQs

Q: Where is the safest place to live in D.C.?
A: Which part of D.C. is the safest? The top three D.C. safest neighborhoods, according to AreaVibes, are Glover Park, American University/Tenleytown, and Barnaby Woods. 

Q: What is the safest quadrant in D.C.?
A: The Northwest quadrant has many of the safest D.C. neighborhoods.

Q: What is the best area to stay in Washington, D.C.?
A: For perks like a great nightlife scene and close proximity to Georgetown, Wesley Heights is one of the best — and safest — places to stay in D.C.

Q: Is Dupont Circle safe at night?
A: Yes, Dupont Circle is generally one of the safe places to live in D.C., even at night. The neighborhood of nearly 18,000 residents is well-patrolled and ranked one of the best neighborhoods to live in D.C. by Niche.

10 of the Safest Neighborhoods in D.C.

While the overall crime rate in the city is unappealing, there are several D.C. neighborhoods and suburbs that offer much safer environments with great schools, good walkability scores, and, of course, plenty to do! Check out our picks for the top D.C. safest neighborhoods. 

Spring Valley has low crime rates, top-ranked schools, spacious homes, and a peaceful atmosphere.
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1. Spring Valley

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,750
• Average home value: $2.1M
• Great for: Spacious homes, tranquil atmosphere, shopping, dining
• Safety score: A+

Ranked as the third safest neighborhood in the D.C. area, according to NeighborhoodScout, Spring Valley has low crime rates, top-ranked schools, spacious homes, and a peaceful environment that’s ideal for young professionals, families, and retirees alike. 

The neighborhood has actually made quite the reputation for itself, as several diplomats and politicians, like George H.W. Bush, Richard M. Nixon, and Lyndon B. Johnson, have called this neighborhood home over the years. And although the area is mostly residential, shopping is a popular pastime among many local residents — especially at Foxhall Square. (Make sure to stop at Wagshal’s deli and market!)

2. McLean Gardens

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,750
• Average home value: $435,600
• Great for: Historic atmosphere, walkability, public transportation, parks
• Safety score: A+

Historic McLean Gardens is situated in a park-like environment, and you can safely walk around the area (or catch a ride with the Metrobus or Metrorail) to just about anywhere you need to go. Young professionals, in particular, find the draws of McLean Gardens, one of the safest neighborhoods in D.C., most appealing.

As far as housing goes, the McLean Gardens community has a wide variety of condominiums to choose from, which include duplexes, flats, and lots. Residents living in McLean Gardens have access to some great amenities, including a pool, areas to barbecue, and even an elegant ballroom for hosting fun events. And they can also take advantage of various nearby parks, such as the McLean Gardens and Newark Street Dog Park. 

Barnaby Woods is known for its peaceful and picturesque surroundings.
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3. Barnaby Woods

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,175
• Average home value: $1.4M
• Great for: Families, outdoor recreation, horse lovers
• Safety score: A+

If you’re in search of the safest neighborhood in D.C., take a visit to Barnaby Woods. Because of its low violent and property crime rates and top public schools, it’s one of the best neighborhoods in D.C. for families. In fact, it’s ranked as the 6th best neighborhood to raise a family in the D.C. area, according to Niche.

And those who purchase a home in Barnaby Woods will not be disappointed by the local surroundings, as the environment is very peaceful and picturesque, thanks to Rock Creek Park bordering the neighborhood to the east. This neighborhood also attracts a variety of horse lovers, as the Rock Creek Park Horse Center is within walking distance.

4. Colonial Village 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,275
• Average home value: $1.2M
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, public transportation, museums, galleries
• Safety score: B

Ranked in the top 10 D.C. safest neighborhoods, according to NeighborhoodScout, Colonial Village is one of the best neighborhoods in D.C. to settle down for those who love the outdoors but also want to be close to all the entertainment nearby. 

The local Rock Creek Park spreads out over 1,700 acres and is the perfect place to take a walk on the trails while admiring the stunning natural beauty among the trees and other historical landmarks. 

Residents can also take the Red Line to reach any part of the city. There are a variety of free museums, monuments, and galleries in the area, and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, in particular, makes for a great day trip!

And with multiple schools serving the Colonial Village community receiving A+ rankings on Niche, you can expect your kids to learn in a productive and safe environment.

The Wesley Heights neighborhood was one of the country’s first planned communities.
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5. Wesley Heights 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,450
• Average home value: $635,100
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, nightlife scene
• Safety score: A+

Just a few miles northwest of downtown D.C., the Wesley Heights neighborhood was one of the country’s first planned communities, developed between the 1920s and 1950s. It’s since transformed into a vibrant area with its own distinct local identity that’s best suited for both young families and young professionals. And, of course, it’s also one of the safest areas to live in D.C.

For a relaxing stroll or a hike, residents living in Wesley Heights have easy access to Glover-Archbold Park, which is located on the east side of the neighborhood and covers close to 200 acres of gorgeous forests and streams. And Georgetown is located just two miles south of the neighborhood, which provides access to live music and an exciting nightlife scene. 

6. Woodland-Normanstone 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,575
• Average home value: $3.2M
• Great for: Outdoor recreation, entertainment, dining
• Safety score: B+

Woodland-Normanstone is one of the most luxurious neighborhoods you can find in addition to being one of the safest areas in D.C. It’s situated in the District's center, so there are plenty of options when it comes to entertainment and dining. And Woodley Park offers the perfect outdoor retreat, where you can explore beautiful scenery and get a break from the city-like atmosphere.
 
Foodies moving to Woodland-Normanstone will enjoy getting to explore the neighborhood's most popular restaurants, such as Sushi Ogawa — serving the most delectable sushi — and New Heights Restaurant — serving a variety of American dishes in a charming setting.
 
And with top-ranked schools nearby and crime rates much lower than the national average, Woodland-Normanstone is especially appealing for families.

Glover Park is a family-friendly neighborhood with ample access to green space. 
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7. Glover Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,875
• Average home value: $585,800
• Great for: Families, public schools, outdoor activities, nightlife
• Safety score: A+

If you’re looking for a family-friendly neighborhood with ample access to green space, check out Glover Park. Another one of the safest neighborhoods in D.C., it’s situated just north of Georgetown and southeast of Wesley Heights, bordered by Glover-Archbold Park and Whitehaven Park. With a walk score of 79, residents can get around pretty easily on foot. 

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, try walking down Wisconsin Ave. and stopping at one of the many options, like Breadsoda, a retro bar and restaurant with games from pool and shuffleboard to ping pong and darts, plus trivia nights to boot. Or head to Old Europe Restaurant, a time-tested spot for German cuisine, from cabbage salad and corned beef to schnitzel and potato salad.

And not only is Glover Park one of the safest areas in D.C., but it’s also the third best neighborhood in the city to raise a family, according to Niche rankings. 

8. Hawthorne 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,175
• Average home value: $1.3M
• Great for: Unique real estate variety, shopping, food
• Safety score: A+

Bordered by Oregon Ave NW and Beach Dr NW, the scenic Hawthorne neighborhood can be found between the communities of Silver Spring and Chevy Chase. With mature trees and lots of green space surrounding the entire area, the homes you can find for sale in Hawthorne are a bit different from the other neighborhoods in the Downtown Washington area. Rather than the typical row home style you may see elsewhere, in Hawthorne, you can choose from Colonials, Cape Cods, and large split-level homes. 

And since Hawthorne is situated so close to Connecticut Avenue, residents are conveniently located close to Dupont Circle, one of the best places to shop and eat. Check out Secondi, a consignment clothing store, if you’re looking for high-end designer clothes, and stop at Dupont Circle’s FRESHFARM Markets for fruits, vegetables, cheeses, pasta, flowers, and even soaps/herbal products.

With very low property crime rates and even lower violent crime rates, Hawthorne isn’t just one of the safest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C.; it’s also ranked as the second best neighborhood in D.C. to raise a family. 

Cleveland Park experiences 36 percent less crime than the national average and has a violent crime rate that is 75 percent below the national average.
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9. Cleveland Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,650
• Average home value: $762,600
• Great for: Families, public schools, outdoor activities, nightlife
• Safety score: A+

If you’re looking to settle down in one of the safest places to live in Washington, D.C., check out Cleveland Park. The neighborhood gets an A+ safety rating from AreaVibes, with 36 percent less crime than the national average and a violent crime rate that is 75 percent below the national average. 

Located in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., Cleveland Park (named after President Grover Cleveland, who once owned a home here) has a population of about 8,000 residents. About half of those people rent their homes, and the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom in the neighborhood comes out to around $2,650. 

The Cleveland Park Metro Station is a Red Line stop that sits in the center of the neighborhood, making it easy to hop on public transit. But being one of the safe neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., it’s definitely walkable, as well, with a relatively high walk score of 77. 

Locals also love the neighborhood’s proximity to nearby attractions, from the Washington National Cathedral to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. Be sure to fuel up on a delicious breakfast sandwich at Cracked Eggery before strolling over to spend a day at the zoo.

10. The Palisades

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $2,450
• Average home value: $1.3M
• Great for: Families, public schools, outdoor activities, nightlife
• Safety score: A

West of Wesley Heights, The Palisades is one of the safest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., that borders the Potomac River. The vast majority (88 percent) of residents here own their homes, and housing inventory is hard to come by — there are just seven homes on the market in The Palisades at the time of writing. The high demand helps the average home value of around $1.3 million make sense then. 

The neighborhood also has above-average public schools going for it, as well as great local walking trails and plenty of dining options to choose from. Craving some mussels and frites? Check out Belgian-French bistro Et Voilà!. Interested in sampling some Afghan cuisine? Head to Bistro Aracosia for dinner.

Once you’ve chosen your favorite D.C. neighborhood, let PODS help you make the move as smooth as can be.

Move to One of the Safest Neighborhoods in D.C. With PODS

Once you’ve found your safe haven in the D.C. area, look no further than the services of PODS to help make your move an easy and efficient one! In fact, PODS even offers a city service that’s designed specifically for moves around the D.C. area. Navigating the narrow and crowded streets? Dealing with parking regulations? Let PODS City Service handle that — and help you settle into one of the safest neighborhoods in D.C. 

Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Safety scores were obtained from AreaVibes and VeryApt.