Where America's Most Affordable Housing Meets Low Crime: 15 Budget-Friendly Cities Worth Moving To

If you’re hunting for the cheapest US city to live in without compromising on safety, the data tells a compelling story. A comprehensive analysis of crime statistics and living expenses across the nation has identified 15 hidden gems where residents enjoy both low violent crime rates and surprisingly modest annual costs. What’s particularly striking? Seven of these communities are clustered in Ohio—more than any other state—suggesting the Midwest has cracked the code on balancing affordability with security.

The Search Criteria: What Makes a City Both Cheap and Safe

The methodology examined the nation’s 150 safest communities (those with populations exceeding 10,000), cross-referencing FBI crime data with comprehensive cost-of-living metrics. The analysis pulled information from the U.S. Census Bureau, labor statistics, real estate indexes, and consumer spending surveys—all current as of February 2025. The result: a ranked list of places where your dollar stretches furthest without surrendering peace of mind.

The Most Affordable Options: Where to Get the Best Value

New Philadelphia, Ohio leads this list as the cheapest US city to live in among these selections. With an average single-family home valued at $186,258 and monthly mortgage payments around $1,101, residents face a modest annual cost of living at $35,549. The violent crime rate sits at just 0.69 per 1,000 residents, making it genuinely secure.

Not far behind, New Ulm, Minnesota presents an even lower violent crime rate of 0.29 per 1,000—one of the nation’s lowest. Though homes cost slightly more ($222,693 average), the annual living expense of $36,361 remains remarkably reasonable for the safety premium you’re getting.

San Elizario, Texas emerges as an unexpected contender, boasting the lowest violent crime rate on the entire list at just 0.10 per 1,000. Home prices average $167,333, and annual living costs reach $36,738—making it the cheapest US city to live in by home value alone.

Mid-Range Affordability with Strong Safety Records

The next tier includes Parma Heights, Ohio ($36,575 annually), Yorktown, Indiana ($37,332), Berea, Ohio ($37,768), and Mount Vernon, Ohio ($37,928). Each offers violent crime rates below 0.65 per 1,000 and home values between $196,742 and $225,575. These communities represent the sweet spot for those seeking the cheapest US city to live in while maintaining suburban comfort.

Columbus, Indiana marks the transition into slightly pricier territory ($40,402 annually), yet distinguishes itself with exceptional low crime—just 0.19 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. For a city of over 51,000 people, this safety level is remarkable.

Premium Safety in Still-Affordable Markets

Moving into the $40,000-45,000 annual range, communities like Butler, Pennsylvania, Trenton, Michigan, and Hamilton, Ohio maintain impressive security metrics while offering robust livability scores. Trenton, Michigan particularly stands out with a livability rating of 86 and monthly mortgage costs of $1,366.

Orono, Maine ($44,036 annually) and Edwardsville, Illinois ($45,323) cap the list, with Edwardsville achieving the highest livability score of 90 among all 15 communities. Home values climb to $295,752 and $302,677 respectively, yet crime remains minimal.

The Ohio Advantage: Why Seven of These Cities Are in One State

The concentration of Ohio communities in this list—New Philadelphia, Parma Heights, Berea, Mount Vernon, Hamilton, Brunswick, and North Ridgeville—reveals a regional pattern worth noting. These cities combine modest housing markets with established community infrastructure and relatively low unemployment, creating naturally safe neighborhoods without premium pricing.

What These Numbers Really Mean for Your Move

Total annual living costs for these 15 communities range from $35,549 to $45,323—far below the national median in most metropolitan areas. Violent crime rates hover between 0.10 and 0.69 per 1,000 residents, compared to national averages exceeding 4 per 1,000 in many major cities. Property crime rates vary more widely, but the communities emphasize both forms of safety.

Whether you’re seeking the cheapest US city to live in or prioritizing security, this data-driven list demonstrates that you needn’t choose between the two. These 15 communities—from the industrial towns of the Midwest to small Texas communities and New England villages—offer legitimate alternatives to expensive coastal metros and crime-plagued urban centers.

Data current as of February 24, 2025, sourced from FBI Quarterly Crime Statistics, U.S. Census American Community Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Zillow Home Value Index, Federal Reserve Economic Data, and AreaVibes.