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.
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
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
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
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
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
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. Other data was sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow Home Value Index for January 2025, the Federal Reserve Economic Data and AreaVibes. 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 Feb. 24, 2025.