The Most Affordable and Safest Places to Live in the US: A Regional Analysis

Finding a place where you can live affordably without compromising on safety can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Yet across America, there are communities that successfully combine low cost of living with minimal crime, offering genuine opportunities for those seeking financial stability and peace of mind. A comprehensive analysis by GOBankingRates identified 15 remarkable communities that stand out as both some of the most affordable and safest places to live in the us, with data sourced from FBI crime statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and Zillow’s housing data as of February 2025.

What makes this research particularly noteworthy is the geographic concentration: seven of the top 15 safest, most affordable communities are located in Ohio, revealing a clear pattern of value and security in Midwestern cities. This concentration suggests that certain regions have developed sustainable models for maintaining both economic accessibility and low-crime environments.

The Midwest’s Dominance: Why Affordable and Safe Communities Cluster Here

The prevalence of Ohio communities in the safest and most affordable places to live rankings isn’t coincidental. These towns typically feature lower housing markets, stable populations, and strong community policing initiatives. The region’s economic structure has preserved moderate cost of living while maintaining the social cohesion that deters crime.

Beyond Ohio, the research identified safe and affordable communities scattered across Minnesota, Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Maine, and Illinois. Each of these communities shares similar characteristics: populations between 10,000 and 60,000, housing values below national averages, and violent crime rates significantly lower than national benchmarks.

Top Tier: The Most Affordable and Safest Places to Live

New Philadelphia, Ohio leads the rankings with the lowest cost of living among all surveyed communities. With an annual cost of living at just $35,549, this city of 17,563 residents offers single-family homes averaging $186,258, translating to monthly mortgage payments around $1,101. The community boasts a livability score of 76, with violent crime rates at 0.69 per 1,000 residents—well below national averages.

New Ulm, Minnesota follows closely, distinguished by its exceptionally low violent crime rate of just 0.29 per 1,000 residents—among the lowest in the nation. Despite slightly higher housing costs ($222,693 average), the annual cost of living reaches only $36,361, with a strong livability rating of 82.

Parma Heights, Ohio rounds out the top three, combining an annual living cost of $36,575 with average home values of $196,742. The community’s violent crime rate of 0.39 per 1,000 reflects its status as one of the safer places to establish roots.

Hidden Gems: Mid-Tier Affordable and Safe Communities

The research reveals numerous communities that maintain the balance between affordability and safety without extreme trade-offs:

San Elizario, Texas offers remarkable value with the lowest average home price on the list at $167,333 and correspondingly modest monthly mortgage costs of $989. Its annual cost of living stands at $36,738 with an impressively low violent crime rate of 0.10 per 1,000.

Yorktown, Indiana demonstrates how Midwestern towns consistently appear among the safest places to live, with annual expenses of $37,332 and a violent crime rate of 0.42 per 1,000 residents.

Berea, Ohio continues Ohio’s strong representation, offering a 77 livability score with an annual cost of living of $37,768 and average home values of $220,573.

Regional Diversity: From the Great Plains to New England

As costs gradually increase through the rankings, the list expands geographically. Mount Vernon, Ohio ($37,928 annual cost), Columbus, Indiana ($40,402 annual cost), and Butler, Pennsylvania ($40,446 annual cost) maintain the affordability standard while preserving low crime environments.

Trenton, Michigan stands out with an exceptional livability score of 86—the highest among all surveyed communities—despite costs rising to $41,641 annually. Hamilton, Ohio continues the state’s representation with 63,124 residents and annual costs of $42,726.

The list extends to Orono, Maine ($44,036 annually), Brunswick, Ohio ($44,251), North Ridgeville, Ohio ($44,415), and concludes with Edwardsville, Illinois, which boasts the highest livability rating of 90 despite an annual cost of living of $45,323.

Understanding the Selection Criteria

GOBankingRates’ methodology for identifying the most affordable and safest places to live involved a rigorous, multi-step process. Researchers first analyzed crime data from the FBI’s Quarterly Crime Statistics to identify the 150 safest cities nationwide with populations exceeding 10,000. These cities were then cross-referenced with cost of living data compiled from multiple authoritative sources: the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow’s Home Value Index (January 2025), and the Federal Reserve’s Economic Data.

The final ranking prioritized communities that simultaneously maintained the lowest violent crime rates and property crime rates alongside minimal cost of living expenses. This dual focus—rather than optimizing for safety alone or affordability alone—produced a list of genuinely livable communities where residents can thrive economically without sacrificing security.

What These Communities Share

Despite their geographic diversity, the safest and most affordable places to live in the us share several characteristics. Most fall within smaller metropolitan areas where housing demand remains moderate relative to supply. They typically benefit from tight-knit communities with active neighborhood involvement, municipal investment in public safety, and stable employment opportunities that prevent economic desperation from driving crime.

The preponderance of Ohio communities suggests that state-level policies, regional economic development, and community engagement have created an environment conducive to both affordability and safety—a model other regions appear to be replicating with varying degrees of success.

Making the Move: Practical Considerations

For those genuinely interested in relocating to one of these affordable and safe communities, consider that monthly mortgage costs range from $989 in San Elizario to $1,852 in North Ridgeville. Annual living expenses—encompassing housing, utilities, food, and transportation—span from $35,549 to $45,323, offering meaningful options across various budget levels.

Beyond raw numbers, prospective residents should evaluate employment opportunities in their field, school quality if raising children, and community amenities. Livability scores ranging from 62 to 90 provide insight into overall quality of life beyond pure economic metrics.

Conclusion

The existence of 15 verified communities that rank among both the most affordable and safest places to live in the us demonstrates that the combination many consider impossible remains achievable. Whether you prioritize minimizing crime rates, reducing housing costs, or achieving both simultaneously, these communities offer proven alternatives to expensive urban centers. As data continues to show through 2025 and beyond, intentional community building and sustainable local economies remain the cornerstones of places where people can afford to live safely.

Data compiled and analyzed as of February 24, 2025, using FBI Quarterly Crime Statistics, U.S. Census data, Zillow Home Value Index (January 2025), Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, and AreaVibes community data.