Miami, FL is best described as a city shaped by immigrants- built on its original native Tequesta inhabitants. Bahamians, Anglo/African Americans, Jamaicans, Cubans, Haitians, and Jewish transplants have all arrived in Miami- looking for economic advantages in Miami.
Perhaps you too are looking to utilize Miami’s employment opportunities in tourism (Norwegian Cruise Lines or Carnival Corp), healthcare (University of Miami Health System), technology (Brightstar Corporation, The Hackett Group), or real estate/construction/energy (Lennar Corporation, Florida Power & Light Company, World Fuel Services Corporation). Moving to Miami might be a positive plan for you.
So when making your move to tropical, nightlife-famous Miami, there are some things that you’ll discover as a true local. For instance, speaking a little Spanish is a must- Miami is amusingly called the Capital of Latin America. Miami’s public transportation (Metrorail) is often packed and inconvenient, and the supplemental bus system is s-l-o-w. Locals never use street overpasses, as they are the primary domain of homeless camps. Additionally aggressive, high-speed, erratic drivers are part of life here. Humorist Dave Barry insists that Miami drivers “will attempt to pass you inside a car wash.” Also “The City That Sleeps In” is so-named because no one ever shows up for anything earlier than noon- except for school and work.
However, the key question that you need answered is which are the safest neighborhoods in Miami for your secure relocation? Miami has 35 neighborhoods- unlike other larger cities such as Chicago with its 77 neighborhoods, or Atlanta, GA with 243 neighborhoods from which to choose. Here are 9 safest neighborhoods in Miami to consider:
Bal Harbour
This small, upscale village of luxury condos and gated communities has its own police force that maintains a crime rate 88% lower than the national average. Known for its Bal Harbour Shops, pristine beaches, and high-end living, this neighborhood and its safety come at a high price. The median rent for a 1 bedroom in Bal Harbour is $4,000/month. The average cost of a Bal Harbour home is $1,857,931. If you visit here, you could bump into Bal Harbour resident Ryan Cohen (founder of pet product company Chewy and CEO of GameStop) among other wealthy locals.
Brickell
As Miami’s financial district, sunny Brickell is popular with young professionals and urban dwellers. They are attracted to Brickell’s waterfront views, vibrant nightlife, and diverse career opportunities in finance/tech. Since this neighborhood is an important business hub, it has a strong police presence, and many residential buildings have on-site security. Brickell is a fairly safe neighborhood in Miami, ranking 14th safest among Miami’s 35 neighborhoods. When compared to Florida’s crime rate, Brickell’s rate is 66% safer. Average rents here range from $2,498-$5,201($3,077 for a 1 br) and 77% of residents here are renters. Median house prices in Brickell are currently listed at $715,666. One of the perks in this urban neighborhood are the Metromover and Metrorail at Brickell Station, offering residents decent commuting options.
Coconut Grove/Northeast Coconut Grove
The Coconut Grove area is popular with professionals, artists, and families- described as a little bohemian, a little Bahamian, and a jewel by the Biscayne Bay. It is Miami’s oldest neighborhood, filled with row houses and attached homes. In November 2024, homes in Coconut Grove were selling for a median price of $2,400,000. Northeast Coconut Grove has homes typically listed at $1,328,000. (Average rents hover around $3,729- higher than 83.9% of other FL neighborhoods). Security is a key attribute this area strives to achieve- with very active neighborhood associations. Its many gated communities and frequent police patrols maintain security- among Miami’s 35 neighborhoods, Coconut Grove ranks in overall crime as 5th safest in Miami. However SOUTH COCONUT GROVE has a D+ grade for its crime level- it is more vulnerable to crime, with less private security presence than the nearby gentrified sections, plus increased transient crime from its proximity to Dixie Hwy.
Coral Way
Coral Way is a banyan tree-filled neighborhood in the heart of Miami, adjacent to the more well-known pricier Coral Gables. Its Mediterranean style homes sport terracotta roofs and were built in the 1920’s- with some modern condos and townhomes constructed later. The neighborhood is walkable around its shopping and restaurants, but has few transit or biking options- a car is a necessity here. Compared to the state’s average, Coral Way is 81% safer, with a safest overall crime ranking of 9th among Miami’s 35 neighborhoods. For residents living here in 2024, $875,000 is the median cost of a home (1 bedroom apartments rent for $2,315/month). About 44,444 residents live in Coral Way, with a median age in the mid-40’s. 79.28% of the working population are white collar workers mostly for private companies. Average household incomes here are $109,540 annually.
Doral
Doral is conveniently located near both downtown Miami and Miami International Airport, and is home to Miami International Mall, Trump National Doral Golf Course, and Doral Glades Park (an Everglades ecosystem). Residents here also enjoy amazing views of the beach. The crime rate in Doral is 12% below the state’s average, which means the chance of becoming a victim of crime is 1 in 53. However CrimeGrade gives Doral an F grade for crime here likely due to the crime in the 10 recreational areas/parks in the neighborhood, and concentrated retail in the city’s southeast part. Doral has about 80,409 residents– the population is diverse, like Miami’s mix of white, Latin American, Asian, and black residents. Median sale prices of Doral homes are more affordable at $565,000, though rents are high at $2,795/month.
Fisher Island
Fisher Island is known as the safest neighborhood in Miami- at the top of all lists of Miami’s safest neighborhoods. Overall, it’s 97% safer than the state’s average-with the violent crime rate and the property crime rate 100% below the national average. Of course this is because of the fact that there are only 400 people who live on Fisher Island, and it is also one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Miami (average household income here is $2 million). Those living on Fisher Island can pay for the 24 hour security patrols and gated entrance enforcement presence that keeps their area secure (only having boat access to the island helps too). The average cost of a home in Fisher Island is $6,106,426. Rental prices here are at a median cost of $30,000/month- only 7% of Fisher Island are renters. This exclusive man-made island has been home to Oprah Winfrey, Mel Brooks, and Boris Becker, among others.
Flagami
Family-friendly Flagami is a quiet middle-class urban neighborhood, central to most main highways and 2 minutes south of Miami International Airport. The neighborhood is home to International Links Melreese County Club and Magic City Casino. (Magic City Casino has been host to one of South Florida’s most “Miami” food events- Croqueta Palooza). Flagami has a population around 38,000, 70.5% of Cuban ancestry. 77.1% of residents here are white collar workers. In October 2024, Flagami home prices were selling for a median price of $590K. Median rents here are $2,400/month, and almost 60% of households are renter occupied. Overall safest neighborhood rating in Flagami is 6th among Miami’s 35 neighborhoods.
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is a beautiful beach-centric neighborhood that combines small-town charm with a Latin American influence. Its only 14,303 residents are mostly made up of multiracial Hispanics, white Hispanics and white non-Hispanics. This upscale island paradise is accessible via a single causeway, which limits through traffic. That controlled access, along with its dedicated police force, keep Key Biscayne secure. The National Council for Safety and Home Security recently ranked Key Biscayne as the second safest community in FL due to its low crime rate. Key Biscayne is known for amazing natural beauty- stunning beaches, parks and attractions (e.g. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Crandon Park and Beach, Cape Florida Lighthouse, Marjory Stonemason Douglas Biscayne Bay Nature Center). In October 2024, Key Biscayne home prices were selling for a median price of $1.1M. Average Key Biscayne rents are around $3,165/month- only 31% of households are renter occupied.
Miami Shores
Young professionals, students, and families enjoy walkable bike-able Miami Shores. This suburban neighborhood is made up of single family houses along tree-lined streets- close to downtown, Miami Shores Bayfront Park and Beach, the C. Lawton McCall Community Center, and Catholic school Barry University. This is a tight-knit community with a friendly village atmosphere-its strong local neighborhood watch programs helps combat crime. However, CrimeGrade ranks Miami Shores at a D+ since it has higher crime than the average US city. This increased criminal activity is likely due to its 12 recreational/park areas with many visitors, along with retail places in the south part of the city. Average one-bedroom rents here are $2,100/month, with homes at $747,500. Median income in Miami Shores is $120,833 with the majority of working residents in professional, tech, healthcare or education jobs.
In summary, this guide highlights some of Miami’s safest neighborhoods.Use these insights to select the most secure area for your new home, ensuring a safe and prosperous relocation.
