Where To Find the Cheapest Places To Live in the USA Without Sacrificing Safety

Finding affordable housing doesn’t mean living in high-crime areas. Based on comprehensive analysis of crime statistics, property values, and living expenses across America, there are at least 15 communities where residents can enjoy the best of both worlds—low costs of living combined with strong safety records. These emerging alternatives to major metropolitan areas represent some of the smartest places to build your future without breaking the bank.

Understanding the Cheapest Communities: What Makes Them Different

Research analyzing the safest American cities identified the most affordable options by evaluating total cost of living against violent and property crime rates. The result reveals a surprising geographic pattern: small-to-medium sized towns across the Heartland and Upper Midwest dominate the list of places that remain among the cheapest to live while maintaining excellent safety metrics. Seven of these communities are concentrated in Ohio alone, making the state an unexpected hub for those seeking budget-friendly living without compromising on security.

These 15 locations weren’t selected arbitrarily—they represent the intersection of two critical factors: housing affordability and neighborhood safety. Using data sourced from the FBI’s crime statistics, U.S. Census records, and housing market analyses from Zillow and other major indices, this ranking showcases communities where annual living expenses fall between $35,000 and $45,000, with violent crime rates among the lowest nationally.

The Ohio Advantage: Why Seven Cheapest Communities Are Located Here

Ohio’s remarkable representation on this list of cheapest places to live isn’t coincidental. The state has become an unexpected magnet for those seeking both affordability and safety. Let’s explore the top performers:

New Philadelphia leads the ranking with a total annual cost of living of just $35,549—the lowest on the entire list. With a population of 17,563 and average home values around $186,258, residents enjoy a monthly mortgage cost of approximately $1,101. The violent crime rate stands at just 0.69 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the safest communities surveyed.

Parma Heights follows as another Ohio success story, with annual expenses of $36,575 and home values averaging $196,742. The community of over 20,000 residents maintains strong safety records with minimal violent crime.

Berea offers a livability score of 77 alongside an annual cost of living of $37,768. Home values average $220,573 with monthly mortgages around $1,303.

Mount Vernon provides another affordable Ohio option with annual expenses of $37,928 and a livability score of 75. Property values hover around $225,575.

Hamilton, the largest Ohio community on this list with a population exceeding 63,000, shows that affordability isn’t limited to tiny towns. Annual expenses reach $42,726 with home values at $279,890.

Brunswick and North Ridgeville round out Ohio’s exceptional showing, both offering annual costs under $45,000 while maintaining some of the nation’s lowest crime statistics.

Beyond Ohio: The Cheapest Places Across America

While Ohio dominates, other regions offer equally compelling options for those seeking affordable living:

New Ulm, Minnesota stands out as one of the safest communities nationally, with an exceptionally low violent crime rate of 0.29 per 1,000 residents. Annual living costs total $36,361, with home values averaging $222,693 and livability scores reaching 82.

San Elizario, Texas represents the absolute safest option with a violent crime rate of just 0.10 per 1,000—remarkably low even by this list’s rigorous standards. With annual expenses of $36,738 and home values at $167,333, this community of over 10,000 residents offers genuine value.

Yorktown, Indiana provides another Midwest option with annual costs of $37,332 and a population of 11,617. Home values average $218,330.

Columbus, Indiana offers a larger community alternative with over 51,000 residents while still maintaining one of the cheapest places to live overall. Annual expenses of $40,402 pair with home values of $261,995 and an exceptionally low violent crime rate of 0.19 per 1,000.

Butler, Pennsylvania presents a Northeast option on this list of cheapest communities, with annual living expenses of $40,446 and home values averaging $229,211.

Trenton, Michigan boasts an impressive livability score of 86—the highest on the entire ranking—alongside annual costs of $41,641 and a violent crime rate of 0.33 per 1,000.

Orono, Maine extends affordable living to New England, offering annual expenses of $44,036 with a notably low violent crime rate of 0.18 per 1,000 and home values averaging $295,752.

Edwardsville, Illinois concludes the ranking with the highest livability score among Illinois communities at 90. Despite being among the pricier options on this list, annual expenses of $45,323 remain remarkably reasonable for communities with these safety profiles and quality-of-life metrics.

What These Data Reveal About Finding Affordable Housing

The consistent presence of communities with annual living expenses ranging from $35,549 to $45,323 demonstrates that finding truly affordable housing with strong safety records remains possible across America. The data encompasses violent crime rates as low as 0.10 per 1,000 and property crime metrics that vary significantly—from 1.08 to 6.29 per 1,000—showing that budget-friendly living doesn’t inherently compromise security.

These cheapest places to live also display varying population sizes, from towns of just over 10,000 to Columbus, Indiana’s 51,000+ residents. This diversity suggests that affordability and safety transcend community size—both small towns and mid-sized cities can offer exceptional value.

Making Your Decision: Using This Data to Find Your Ideal Community

When considering a move to one of these 15 cheapest places in the USA, examine not just the annual cost figures but also the livability scores, which range from 62 to 90. These metrics factor in quality of life beyond mere crime statistics. Consider your employment needs, family situation, and lifestyle preferences alongside the financial data.

The methodology behind this analysis considered the safest 150 American communities with populations exceeding 10,000, then ranked them by total cost of living to identify where affordability and safety intersect most effectively. Data sources included FBI Quarterly Crime Statistics, U.S. Census American Community Survey results, Sperling’s BestPlaces assessments, Bureau of Labor Statistics information, Zillow Home Value Index data, Federal Reserve Economic Data, and AreaVibes community scores.

Whether you’re drawn to Ohio’s Heartland communities, Minnesota’s dependable charm, Texas’s growing towns, or New England’s established neighborhoods, these 15 locations represent some of the best options for anyone prioritizing both financial responsibility and personal security. The cheapest places to live in the USA aren’t limited to any single region or state—they represent a nationwide opportunity for those willing to explore beyond conventional moving destinations.