Best States To Live in the US: 15 Cities Combining Affordable Housing and Low Crime

Finding a place to live that doesn’t drain your wallet while keeping you safe is challenging in today’s real estate market. Yet across the United States, there are at least 15 communities where the cost of living remains reasonable and neighborhood safety is genuinely strong. This analysis examines which communities offer the most attractive combination of both factors.

GOBankingRates’ research into the nation’s safest communities identified which locations maintain the lowest total living expenses, creating a genuine list of best places to establish your home. Notably, Ohio dominates this ranking with seven communities making the cut—more than any other state—making it arguably the best state to live for those prioritizing both budget and security. Many of these towns may be unfamiliar to you, but according to our comprehensive findings, they represent some of the finest opportunities for combining minimal criminal activity with genuine affordability.

1. New Philadelphia, Ohio - Where Midwestern Values Meet Affordability

Population: 17,563 residents Average home value: $186,258 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,101 Annual living costs: $35,549 Quality of life score: 76 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.69 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 1.50

New Philadelphia stands as the most budget-conscious option in this guide. The community maintains reasonable housing expenses while demonstrating solid safety metrics that make it an attractive location for families and individuals seeking economic stability without sacrificing security.

2. New Ulm, Minnesota - The Safe Haven with Strong Community Values

Population: 14,066 residents Average home value: $222,693 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,316 Annual living costs: $36,361 Quality of life score: 82 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.29 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 5.07

Minnesota’s entry into this ranking showcases impressive safety statistics, particularly concerning violent crime. The town’s excellent livability score reflects strong community infrastructure and quality of life indicators that extend beyond mere statistics.

3. Parma Heights, Ohio - Consistent Quality at Moderate Prices

Population: 20,616 residents Average home value: $196,742 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,163 Annual living costs: $36,575 Quality of life score: 71 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.39 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 2.76

4. San Elizario, Texas - The Most Secure Community on the List

Population: 10,123 residents Average home value: $167,333 Monthly mortgage payment: $989 Annual living costs: $36,738 Quality of life score: 62 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.10 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 1.08

San Elizario boasts the lowest violent crime statistics among all 15 communities, making it exceptional for those prioritizing personal safety as their primary concern.

5. Yorktown, Indiana - Small-Town Living With Regional Appeal

Population: 11,617 residents Average home value: $218,330 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,290 Annual living costs: $37,332 Quality of life score: 69 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.42 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 5.10

6. Berea, Ohio - Balancing Community and Affordability

Population: 18,330 residents Average home value: $220,573 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,303 Annual living costs: $37,768 Quality of life score: 77 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.60 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 3.69

7. Mount Vernon, Ohio - Established Community With Reasonable Costs

Population: 16,802 residents Average home value: $225,575 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,333 Annual living costs: $37,928 Quality of life score: 75 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.42 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 4.23

8. Columbus, Indiana - Larger City Option With Maintained Affordability

Population: 51,104 residents Average home value: $261,995 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,548 Annual living costs: $40,402 Quality of life score: 76 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.19 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 1.12

Columbus represents a larger community option, demonstrating that you don’t necessarily sacrifice safety for urban amenities and employment opportunities.

9. Butler, Pennsylvania - Northeast Corridor Affordability

Population: 13,306 residents Average home value: $229,211 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,354 Annual living costs: $40,446 Quality of life score: 71 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.20 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 6.29

10. Trenton, Michigan - Strong Livability in the Great Lakes Region

Population: 18,242 residents Average home value: $231,232 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,366 Annual living costs: $41,641 Quality of life score: 86 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.33 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 6.20

Trenton distinguishes itself with the highest quality of life score among all communities analyzed, suggesting residents enjoy robust community services, schools, and overall neighborhood satisfaction.

11. Hamilton, Ohio - Mid-Range Investment for Security

Population: 63,124 residents Average home value: $279,890 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,654 Annual living costs: $42,726 Quality of life score: 71 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.39 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 2.43

12. Orono, Maine - Northeast Gem With Academic Influence

Population: 10,699 residents Average home value: $295,752 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,748 Annual living costs: $44,036 Quality of life score: 71 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.18 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 2.30

13. Brunswick, Ohio - Growing Community With Solid Fundamentals

Population: 35,284 residents Average home value: $300,042 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,773 Annual living costs: $44,251 Quality of life score: 78 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.48 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 4.67

14. North Ridgeville, Ohio - Suburban Stability and Growth

Population: 36,043 residents Average home value: $313,398 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,852 Annual living costs: $44,415 Quality of life score: 75 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.56 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 2.88

15. Edwardsville, Illinois - Premium Livability at Moderate Cost

Population: 26,543 residents Average home value: $302,677 Monthly mortgage payment: $1,789 Annual living costs: $45,323 Quality of life score: 90 Violent offense rate (per 1,000): 0.30 Property theft and crime rate (per 1,000): 5.79

Edwardsville rounds out the list with the highest quality of life rating overall, indicating exceptional schools, amenities, and community satisfaction despite slightly elevated living costs.

Key Findings: Understanding the Best State to Live

Ohio’s exceptional representation in this list—claiming seven of the fifteen positions—demonstrates the state’s ability to maintain reasonable housing markets alongside genuine community safety. This consistency makes Ohio a strong contender as the best state to live for budget-conscious families seeking security.

The data reveals that affordable living and low-crime neighborhoods aren’t mutually exclusive. Communities ranging from small towns like San Elizario with 10,123 residents to larger cities like Hamilton with over 63,000 residents successfully combine economic accessibility with neighborhood security. Monthly mortgage payments across these communities typically range from $989 to $1,852, making homeownership achievable for moderate-income households.

Research Methodology: This analysis examined the safest 150 communities with populations exceeding 10,000 residents, using violent and property crime statistics from FBI Quarterly Crime Statistics. Communities were then ranked by total annual cost of living to identify the optimal combination of affordability and safety. Additional data sources included the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Zillow Home Value Index (January 2025), Federal Reserve Economic Data, and AreaVibes. All information reflects data collected as of February 24, 2025.