Just looked into something interesting—if you're weighing safety against affordability, the math gets complicated pretty fast. The US safety index sits around 50.7, and crime stats are still rough in a lot of places, so finding genuinely safe areas matters. WalletHub ranked the five safest states back in 2025, and I checked what living there actually costs compared to the national average. Spoiler: safety doesn't always come cheap. Vermont tops the list but runs 16% above average costs—homes averaging around $399k. New Hampshire is the steal here, actually 2.4% below national average with median household income around $95.6k. Massachusetts is the opposite story: safest according to rankings but 44% pricier than the national baseline, with homes hitting $658k. If you're looking at the worst places to live from a cost perspective, you'd probably avoid Massachusetts unless income justifies it. Maine and Utah round out the top five. Maine's 13% above average but home prices are more reasonable at $412k. Utah barely nudges above average (1% higher), making it interesting for people seeking safety without the sticker shock. Household incomes vary—ranging from $74.7k in Maine to $101.3k in Massachusetts. The real takeaway? The safest states aren't always the worst places to live financially, but there's definitely a trade-off. You're either paying more for safety and amenities, or finding pockets where both align. Data sources pulled from census and housing databases as of mid-2025, so worth double-checking current prices if you're actually considering a move.