America's Most Affordable and Safest Places To Live: Discovering 15 Hidden Gem Cities Across the US

Finding a place to live that combines both low living costs and strong community safety remains one of the greatest challenges for American homebuyers and renters. While affordability and security are often positioned as competing priorities, GOBankingRates’ comprehensive analysis has identified 15 remarkable cities and towns that successfully blend both advantages. Drawing on FBI crime statistics, US Census data, Zillow housing valuations, and Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer spending reports—all compiled as of early 2025—these destinations prove that you don’t have to sacrifice safety for savings.

Why Budget-Friendly Yet Secure Places Matter in Today’s Housing Market

The current real estate landscape forces many families to make tough choices between their safety and their financial stability. However, an analysis of crime rates, property values, and living expenses across more than 150 American cities with populations exceeding 10,000 revealed something encouraging: there are indeed pockets throughout the nation where both affordability and security coexist. These safest and cheapest places to live aren’t just statistically safer or more economical in isolation—they achieve excellence on both fronts simultaneously, offering genuine value for those seeking quality of life without excessive costs.

Notably, Ohio dominates this list with seven cities making the top 15, the highest concentration from any single state. This regional clustering suggests that specific areas have built sustainable living environments where housing remains attainable while crime rates stay remarkably low.

The Midwest’s Dominant Performance: Seven of America’s Safest and Most Affordable Cities

Ohio’s seven representatives demonstrate why the Midwest has become a beacon for budget-conscious families seeking safe communities. These cities range in population from roughly 16,000 to 63,000 residents and offer annual living costs between $35,549 and $42,726—genuinely affordable pricing by contemporary standards.

New Philadelphia leads the entire ranking with the lowest total annual cost of living at $35,549. Its 17,563 residents enjoy average single-family home values around $186,258 with monthly mortgage payments averaging $1,101. The violent crime rate sits at just 0.69 per 1,000 residents, with property crime at 1.50 per 1,000—making it not only the cheapest but also remarkably safe.

Parma Heights, Ohio and Berea, Ohio follow with annual costs of $36,575 and $37,768 respectively, both maintaining violent crime rates below 0.65 per 1,000. Mount Vernon, Ohio ($37,928 annually) and Hamilton, Ohio ($42,726 annually) round out Ohio’s top entries, each demonstrating that you can build a secure life in these Midwestern communities without straining your budget.

Beyond the Midwest: Affordable and Secure Options Across America

While Ohio dominates, other regions offer compelling alternatives for those seeking cheapest and safest places to settle.

New Ulm, Minnesota emerges as one of the nation’s safest small towns with a violent crime rate of just 0.29 per 1,000 residents—among the lowest nationwide. With annual living costs of $36,361 and a population of 14,066, it combines small-town charm with genuine affordability and exceptional security.

San Elizario, Texas stands out as the most affordable option outside Ohio, with annual living costs of $36,738 and remarkably low violent crime at just 0.10 per 1,000 residents. This border community proves that budget-friendly living can also mean living safely.

Yorktown, Indiana, Columbus, Indiana, Butler, Pennsylvania, and Trenton, Michigan provide additional diversity across the Rust Belt and beyond, each offering annual costs ranging from $37,332 to $41,641 with violent crime rates under 0.42 per 1,000.

Premium Safety: Higher-Cost Cities That Justify the Investment

The final entries in this ranking—Orono, Maine ($44,036 annually), Brunswick, Ohio ($44,251 annually), North Ridgeville, Ohio ($44,415 annually), and Edwardsville, Illinois ($45,323 annually)—represent the upper tier of this list. While these cities cost more to live in than earlier entries, they maintain the same commitment to safety and remain significantly below national housing and living cost averages. Edwardsville particularly stands out with a livability index of 90, the highest on the entire list, suggesting comprehensive quality-of-life advantages beyond just affordability and low crime.

Choosing Your Perfect Cheapest and Safest Community

The data reveals several distinct patterns for those prioritizing both safety and affordability. Small Midwestern cities (10,000-20,000 residents) offer the absolute lowest costs alongside strong security. Slightly larger communities (20,000-50,000 residents) provide more amenities while remaining economical. All 15 cities maintain violent crime rates under 0.70 per 1,000 residents—dramatically safer than most American urban centers.

When evaluating these safest and cheapest places to call home, consider not just the annual cost of living and crime statistics, but also livability scores, population size, and regional character. Whether you prioritize extreme affordability or are willing to invest slightly more for enhanced amenities, these communities demonstrate that finding a safe, budget-friendly place to live remains entirely achievable in 2025.

Methodology Note: This analysis identified the safest 150 American cities with populations of at least 10,000, then ranked them by total cost of living using FBI quarterly crime statistics, US Census data, Zillow home valuations, Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, and AreaVibes data compiled through February 2025. The resulting rankings represent genuine communities where residents successfully balance financial stability with community security.