Where To Find America's Most Affordable Yet Secure Communities: A State-by-State Breakdown

Discovering places that balance both reasonable housing costs and low crime rates remains one of the most challenging decisions for Americans relocating or first-time homebuyers. While many assume that savings on housing inevitably mean compromising on safety, evidence suggests otherwise. Recent analysis examining the least expensive states to live in alongside crime statistics reveals that numerous communities across the nation successfully combine both advantages.

Ohio Emerges as the Affordability Leader

Perhaps the most striking finding is Ohio’s dominance in this category. Seven communities from this Midwestern state rank among the top 15 most affordable and secure places nationally—a concentration that reflects the state’s particularly favorable combination of housing values and safety metrics. This concentration raises an interesting question: why does one state so consistently deliver on both fronts?

Understanding the Cost Range

The annual living expenses across these 15 communities range from approximately $35,500 to $45,500, with monthly mortgage payments typically falling between $989 and $1,852. The most budget-conscious option, San Elizario, Texas, features an average home value of $167,333 and annual costs around $36,738. Meanwhile, communities like Edwardsville, Illinois represent the upper end, with annual expenses near $45,323 but notably higher livability scores of 90.

The Complete Ranking: Community-by-Community Analysis

1. New Philadelphia, Ohio

• Population: 17,563
• Average home value: $186,258
• Monthly mortgage: $1,101
• Annual living costs: $35,549
• Livability score: 76
• Violent crime rate: 0.69 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 1.50 per 1,000

2. New Ulm, Minnesota

• Population: 14,066
• Average home value: $222,693
• Monthly mortgage: $1,316
• Annual living costs: $36,361
• Livability score: 82
• Violent crime rate: 0.29 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 5.07 per 1,000

3. Parma Heights, Ohio

• Population: 20,616
• Average home value: $196,742
• Monthly mortgage: $1,163
• Annual living costs: $36,575
• Livability score: 71
• Violent crime rate: 0.39 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 2.76 per 1,000

4. San Elizario, Texas

• Population: 10,123
• Average home value: $167,333
• Monthly mortgage: $989
• Annual living costs: $36,738
• Livability score: 62
• Violent crime rate: 0.10 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 1.08 per 1,000

5. Yorktown, Indiana

• Population: 11,617
• Average home value: $218,330
• Monthly mortgage: $1,290
• Annual living costs: $37,332
• Livability score: 69
• Violent crime rate: 0.42 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 5.10 per 1,000

6. Berea, Ohio

• Population: 18,330
• Average home value: $220,573
• Monthly mortgage: $1,303
• Annual living costs: $37,768
• Livability score: 77
• Violent crime rate: 0.60 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 3.69 per 1,000

7. Mount Vernon, Ohio

• Population: 16,802
• Average home value: $225,575
• Monthly mortgage: $1,333
• Annual living costs: $37,928
• Livability score: 75
• Violent crime rate: 0.42 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 4.23 per 1,000

8. Columbus, Indiana

• Population: 51,104
• Average home value: $261,995
• Monthly mortgage: $1,548
• Annual living costs: $40,402
• Livability score: 76
• Violent crime rate: 0.19 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 1.12 per 1,000

9. Butler, Pennsylvania

• Population: 13,306
• Average home value: $229,211
• Monthly mortgage: $1,354
• Annual living costs: $40,446
• Livability score: 71
• Violent crime rate: 0.20 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 6.29 per 1,000

10. Trenton, Michigan

• Population: 18,242
• Average home value: $231,232
• Monthly mortgage: $1,366
• Annual living costs: $41,641
• Livability score: 86
• Violent crime rate: 0.33 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 6.20 per 1,000

11. Hamilton, Ohio

• Population: 63,124
• Average home value: $279,890
• Monthly mortgage: $1,654
• Annual living costs: $42,726
• Livability score: 71
• Violent crime rate: 0.39 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 2.43 per 1,000

12. Orono, Maine

• Population: 10,699
• Average home value: $295,752
• Monthly mortgage: $1,748
• Annual living costs: $44,036
• Livability score: 71
• Violent crime rate: 0.18 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 2.30 per 1,000

13. Brunswick, Ohio

• Population: 35,284
• Average home value: $300,042
• Monthly mortgage: $1,773
• Annual living costs: $44,251
• Livability score: 78
• Violent crime rate: 0.48 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 4.67 per 1,000

14. North Ridgeville, Ohio

• Population: 36,043
• Average home value: $313,398
• Monthly mortgage: $1,852
• Annual living costs: $44,415
• Livability score: 75
• Violent crime rate: 0.56 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 2.88 per 1,000

15. Edwardsville, Illinois

• Population: 26,543
• Average home value: $302,677
• Monthly mortgage: $1,789
• Annual living costs: $45,323
• Livability score: 90
• Violent crime rate: 0.30 per 1,000
• Property crime rate: 5.79 per 1,000

Key Insights from the Data

The analysis reveals that Texas offers the lowest entry point for home purchases, while Illinois and Ohio communities provide strong livability scores. Notably, several communities show violent crime rates below 0.20 per 1,000, indicating exceptionally secure neighborhoods. When examining the least expensive states to live in, Texas and Indiana emerge as particularly compelling options, though Ohio’s consistent showing across multiple rankings demonstrates its overall reliability.

Methodology and Data Sources

This comprehensive analysis examined 150 of the safest American cities with populations exceeding 10,000, utilizing FBI Quarterly Crime Statistics for violent and property crime rates. Housing data came from the Zillow Home Value Index (January 2025), while cost-of-living figures were sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey, Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces, Federal Reserve Economic Data, and AreaVibes. All information remains current as of February 24, 2025.