Where America's Most Affordable Communities Also Keep You Safe: A Deep Dive Into 15 Hidden Gems

Looking for a place where you don’t have to choose between keeping your wallet full and living in a secure neighborhood? New research has identified 15 communities across the US that nail both criteria—and several of the cheapest states to live in dominate the list. The analysis examined violent crime rates, property crime data, housing costs, and overall cost of living to pinpoint towns that offer genuine value without compromising safety.

Ohio Leads the Pack: The Affordable Safety Capital

Seven of the 15 safest and most economical communities identified are clustered in Ohio, making it the undisputed champion among cheapest states to live in. From New Philadelphia’s modest $186,258 average home values to Mount Vernon’s $225,575 median, Ohio towns consistently deliver low living costs paired with manageable crime statistics.

New Philadelphia, Ohio sets the tone as the most budget-friendly option on the list. With an annual cost of living at just $35,549 and a violent crime rate of 0.69 per 1,000 residents, this town of 17,563 offers straightforward affordability. The average single-family home value sits at $186,258, translating to approximately $1,101 in monthly mortgage payments.

Close behind is Parma Heights, Ohio, another thriving community with 20,616 residents. An annual cost of living of $36,575 and impressively low violent crime rates (0.39 per 1,000) make it a compelling choice. Property crime remains manageable at 2.76 per 1,000 residents.

Berea, Ohio, Mount Vernon, Ohio, Hamilton, Ohio, Brunswick, Ohio, and North Ridgeville, Ohio round out Ohio’s representation, each offering annual living costs between $37,768 and $44,415. These communities share a common thread: reasonable housing prices and crime rates that hover well below national averages.

Texas, Minnesota, and Beyond: Diversifying Your Options

Beyond Ohio, other cheapest states to live in offer standout communities worth considering. San Elizario, Texas emerges as a particularly intriguing option with the lowest average home value on the entire list—just $167,333. This translates to a mere $989 monthly mortgage and an annual cost of living of $36,738. Remarkably, its violent crime rate of 0.10 per 1,000 ranks among the safest in the nation.

New Ulm, Minnesota delivers a different appeal, though at slightly higher home values ($222,693). Its livability score of 82 outpaces most competitors, and the violent crime rate of 0.29 per 1,000 makes it one of the genuinely safest options. Annual living expenses reach $36,361.

Indiana and Pennsylvania also stake their claims with Yorktown, Indiana ($37,332 annual cost of living) and Butler, Pennsylvania ($40,446 annually), both providing solid combinations of affordability and security.

The Sweet Spot: Where $40K-$45K Gets You Maximum Value

The upper tier of this list—communities with annual costs between $40,000 and $45,323—still represent exceptional value in today’s economic climate. Columbus, Indiana combines a population of over 51,000 with a violent crime rate of just 0.19 per 1,000 residents, suggesting that larger towns in the cheapest states to live in don’t sacrifice safety for population size.

Trenton, Michigan boasts the highest livability score on the entire list at 86, despite its $41,641 annual cost of living. Edwardsville, Illinois caps the rankings at $45,323 annually with an impressive livability score of 90 and a violent crime rate of 0.30 per 1,000—proof that America’s most affordable safe havens come in various sizes and regions.

What Makes These Communities Stand Out

These 15 towns share more than just low price tags and modest crime statistics. They represent genuine communities where housing remains attainable, daily expenses stay reasonable, and neighbors look out for each other. Whether you’re drawn to Ohio’s cluster of opportunities or prefer exploring the cheapest states to live in across other regions, each community on this list offers a blueprint for affordable living without sacrificing personal security—a rare combination in today’s housing market.

Methodology Note: The analysis drew from FBI Quarterly Crime Statistics, U.S. Census data, Sperling’s BestPlaces, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, Zillow’s Home Value Index (January 2025), and AreaVibes data. Cities with populations of at least 10,000 were evaluated on violent crime rates, property crime rates, average home values, and total annual cost of living to identify the safest 150 communities, then sorted by affordability. All data is current as of February 24, 2025.