Top 15 Affordable and Safe Cities in the U.S.
The terms “affordable” and “safe” often seem at odds in today’s rising cost of living. Yet, across the United States, there are at least 15 cities and towns that exemplify a balance of these two important factors.
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GOBankingRates conducted an analysis of the safest cities in the nation, evaluating various factors to pinpoint those with the cheapest overall cost of living. Remarkably, seven of the top 15 cities mentioned are located in Ohio, showcasing it as the state with the highest representation.
While you may not be familiar with all these towns, our research indicates that their combination of low crime rates and affordable housing is unmatched.
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
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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
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
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
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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: GOBankingRates analyzed the safest cities in the U.S. to find the lowest total cost of living and determine the safest and most affordable places to reside. The analysis utilized property and violent crime rates from the FBI’s Quarterly Crime Statistics to identify the safest 150 cities with populations of at least 10,000. Various factors were sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. Cost of living indexes were obtained from Sperling’s BestPlaces, covering various categories. The average single-family home price data came from Zillow Home Value Index as of January 2025. This research used current economic data as of February 24, 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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