The words “affordable” and “safe” don’t always go together, especially considering the ever-rising cost of living. However, there are at least 15 cities and towns across the United States that offer the best combination of both worlds.
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GOBankingRates’ analysis of the nation’s safest cities sourced various factors to find the cities with the cheapest total cost of living, which represent the cheapest and safest cities. Seven of these cities are in Ohio, the most cities from any one state to rank in the top 15.
You may not have heard of all of these towns; but, based on our research, you won’t find better combinations of low crime rates and affordable living.
1. New Philadelphia, Ohio
- Total population: 17,563
- Average single family home value: $186,258
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,101
- Total cost of living annually: $35,549
- Livability: 76
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.69
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 1.50
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2. New Ulm, Minnesota
- Total population: 14,066
- Average single family home value: $222,693
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,316
- Total cost of living annually: $36,361
- Livability: 82
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.29
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 5.07
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3. Parma Heights, Ohio
- Total population: 20,616
- Average single family home value: $196,742
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,163
- Total cost of living annually: $36,575
- Livability: 71
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.39
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 2.76
4. San Elizario, Texas
- Total population: 10,123
- Average single family home value: $167,333
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $989
- Total cost of living annually: $36,738
- Livability: 62
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.10
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 1.08
5. Yorktown, Indiana
- Total population: 11,617
- Average single family home value: $218,330
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,290
- Total cost of living annually: $37,332
- Livability: 69
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.42
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 5.10
6. Berea, Ohio
- Total population: 18,330
- Average single family home value: $220,573
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,303
- Total cost of living annually: $37,768
- Livability: 77
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.60
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 3.69
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7. Mount Vernon, Ohio
- Total population: 16,802
- Average single family home value: $225,575
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,333
- Total cost of living annually: $37,928
- Livability: 75
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.42
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 4.23
8. Columbus, Indiana
- Total population: 51,104
- Average single family home value: $261,995
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,548
- Total cost of living annually: $40,402
- Livability: 76
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.19
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 1.12
9. Butler, Pennsylvania
- Total population: 13,306
- Average single family home value: $229,211
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,354
- Total cost of living annually: $40,446
- Livability: 71
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.20
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 6.29
10. Trenton, Michigan
- Total population: 18,242
- Average single family home value: $231,232
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,366
- Total cost of living annually: $41,641
- Livability: 86
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.33
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 6.20
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11. Hamilton, Ohio
- Total population: 63,124
- Average single family home value: $279,890
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,654
- Total cost of living annually: $42,726
- Livability: 71
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.39
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 2.43
12. Orono, Maine
- Total population: 10,699
- Average single family home value: $295,752
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,748
- Total cost of living annually: $44,036
- Livability: 71
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.18
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 2.30
13. Brunswick, Ohio
- Total population: 35,284
- Average single family home value: $300,042
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,773
- Total cost of living annually: $44,251
- Livability: 78
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.48
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 4.67
14. North Ridgeville, Ohio
- Total population: 36,043
- Average single family home value: $313,398
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,852
- Total cost of living annually: $44,415
- Livability: 75
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.56
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 2.88
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15. Edwardsville, Illinois
- Total population: 26,543
- Average single family home value: $302,677
- Average monthly mortgage cost: $1,789
- Total cost of living annually: $45,323
- Livability: 90
- Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.30
- Property crime rate (per 1,000): 5.79
Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting for this piece.
Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed in this article.
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed the safest cities to find the cities cheapest total cost of living, representing the cheapest and safest cities. Using property and violent crime rates from the FBI’s Quarterly Crime Statistics, the safest 150 cities with a population of at least 10,000 were identified. For each location a number of factors were found including; total population, population ages 65 and over, total households, and household median income all sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. Using this data the percentage of the population ages 65 and over can be calculated. The cost of living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and include the grocery, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous cost of living indexes. Using the cost of living indexes and the national average expenditure costs, as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average expenditure cost for each location can be calculated. The average single family home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for January 2025. Using the average single family home value, assuming a 10% down payment, and using the most recent national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as sourced from the Federal Reserve Economic Data, the average mortgage can be calculated. Using the average mortgage and average expenditure costs, the average total monthly and annual cost of living can be calculated. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each location and included as supplemental information. The violent crimes and property crimes reported were sourced from the FBI’s quarterly crime statistics. With the safest 110 cities identified, the cities were sorted to show the cheapest total cost of living. All data was collected on and is up to date as of February 24th, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 15 Cheapest, Safest Places To Live in the US
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