America's Best-Kept Secrets: Finding the Safest and Cheapest Places to Live in the US

Searching for a home that combines both safety and affordability? It’s a challenge many Americans face in today’s housing market, but research from GOBankingRates reveals that the safest and cheapest places to live in the US do exist. Based on comprehensive analysis of crime statistics, housing data, and cost-of-living information, we’ve identified 15 communities that successfully balance low crime rates with budget-friendly living expenses. Here’s what you need to know about these hidden gems across America.

Why Affordable and Safe Communities Matter

The intersection of low housing costs and safe neighborhoods represents the holy grail for homebuyers and renters alike. GOBankingRates analyzed crime data from the FBI’s Quarterly Crime Statistics alongside housing costs and annual living expenses to identify the top communities that offer genuine value. The research examined the safest 150 cities nationwide with populations exceeding 10,000, then filtered those data to find which communities also boasted the most affordable total cost of living.

Remarkably, Ohio emerged as the dominant state, claiming seven of the fifteen most affordable and safe places to live in the US—more than any other state in the analysis.

Ohio’s Remarkable Advantage: Seven Communities Lead the Way

New Philadelphia: The Most Affordable Pick

With an annual cost of living just $35,549, New Philadelphia, Ohio claims the top spot. This community of 17,563 residents boasts a violent crime rate of just 0.69 per 1,000 residents and property crime at 1.50 per 1,000—among the lowest in the nation. Average single-family homes value around $186,258, with monthly mortgage payments averaging $1,101. The livability score reaches 76, reflecting the community’s overall appeal.

Parma Heights, Ohio

Also claiming a strong position, Parma Heights supports 20,616 residents with an annual cost of living of $36,575. Home values average $196,742, keeping monthly mortgage obligations at approximately $1,163. The violent crime rate stands at 0.39 per 1,000, with property crime at 2.76 per 1,000.

Berea, Ohio

With 18,330 residents, Berea offers annual living costs of $37,768 and a livability score of 77. The average home value reaches $220,573, with monthly mortgage costs around $1,303. Violent crime rates measure just 0.60 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the safest communities on the list.

Mount Vernon, Ohio

This city of 16,802 provides annual expenses of $37,928 and average home values of $225,575. The monthly mortgage payment typically runs $1,333, while violent crime barely registers at 0.42 per 1,000 residents. The property crime rate of 4.23 per 1,000 remains reasonable for the market.

Hamilton, Ohio

With a larger population of 63,124, Hamilton maintains annual living costs of $42,726. Average home values reach $279,890 with monthly mortgages averaging $1,654. The violent crime rate stays low at 0.39 per 1,000, and property crime is minimal at 2.43 per 1,000.

Brunswick, Ohio

Brunswick’s 35,284 residents enjoy an annual cost of living of $44,251, with home values averaging $300,042. The livability score reaches 78, the highest among Ohio communities on this list. Violent crime measures 0.48 per 1,000, while property crime stands at 4.67 per 1,000.

North Ridgeville, Ohio

Rounding out Ohio’s representation, North Ridgeville houses 36,043 residents with annual living costs of $44,415. Average home values reach $313,398, with monthly mortgage payments near $1,852. The violent crime rate remains low at 0.56 per 1,000, creating an attractive package for families.

Beyond Ohio: Other Top Contenders

New Ulm, Minnesota

With only 14,066 residents, New Ulm punches above its weight, offering an annual cost of living of just $36,361. The violent crime rate ranks among the lowest nationally at 0.29 per 1,000 residents. Average home values stand at $222,693, with monthly mortgages around $1,316 and an impressive livability score of 82.

San Elizario, Texas

This small Texas community of 10,123 offers exceptional affordability with annual living costs of $36,738 and average home values of only $167,333—the lowest on the entire list. Monthly mortgages average just $989. Most remarkably, the violent crime rate measures just 0.10 per 1,000 residents, among the nation’s very safest communities.

Yorktown, Indiana

With 11,617 residents, Yorktown combines annual living costs of $37,332 with average home values of $218,330. The violent crime rate stands at 0.42 per 1,000, while monthly mortgage costs average $1,290.

Columbus, Indiana

This larger community of 51,104 maintains annual living costs of $40,402—reasonable for its size. Average home values reach $261,995, and the violent crime rate remains exceptionally low at just 0.19 per 1,000 residents. The property crime rate of 1.12 per 1,000 ranks among the best nationally.

Butler, Pennsylvania

Butler’s 13,306 residents enjoy annual living costs of $40,446 and average home values of $229,211. The violent crime rate measures 0.20 per 1,000, making it one of the safest communities on the list.

Trenton, Michigan

With 18,242 residents, Trenton offers annual living costs of $41,641 and an impressive livability score of 86—the highest on the entire list. The violent crime rate stands at 0.33 per 1,000, while average home values reach $231,232.

Orono, Maine

This college town of 10,699 provides annual living costs of $44,036 with average home values of $295,752. The violent crime rate ranks exceptionally low at 0.18 per 1,000 residents, comparable to the nation’s safest cities.

Edwardsville, Illinois

Closing out the top fifteen, Edwardsville houses 26,543 residents with an annual cost of living of $45,323. The community boasts an outstanding livability score of 90, the highest on the complete list. The violent crime rate measures just 0.30 per 1,000, creating an exceptionally balanced community profile.

What Makes These Communities Stand Out

The safest and cheapest places to live in the US share certain characteristics beyond their raw statistics. Most feature populations between 10,000 and 65,000, offering a sweet spot between rural isolation and urban crowding. They typically represent established communities with stable housing markets and strong civic engagement.

The combination of affordable housing and low crime rates suggests that these communities have avoided the boom-bust cycles affecting larger metropolitan areas. Residents benefit from reasonable property values, moderate monthly mortgage obligations typically ranging from $989 to $1,852, and overall annual living expenses under $45,500.

Understanding the Research Methodology

GOBankingRates sourced data from multiple authoritative institutions to compile this analysis. The FBI’s Quarterly Crime Statistics provided violent and property crime rates, while the U.S. Census American Community Survey contributed demographic information. Housing values came from the Zillow Home Value Index (January 2025 data), with cost-of-living data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, Federal Reserve Economic Data, and AreaVibes.

The research identified the nation’s 150 safest communities with populations exceeding 10,000, then ranked them by total cost of living to determine the safest and cheapest places to live in the US. This multi-source approach ensures comprehensive accuracy and removes single-point-of-failure bias in the analysis.

Choosing Your Community

Whether you prioritize the lowest housing costs, the safest neighborhoods, or the best overall livability scores, these fifteen communities offer genuine alternatives to expensive, high-crime urban areas. The safest and cheapest places to live in the US represent opportunities for budget-conscious buyers seeking security, stability, and value—often overlooked advantages worth serious consideration in your home-search journey.