Safest cheapest places to live in the us

Whether you’re moving or buying a home for the first time, safety is likely a very important priority to you. Everyone wants to feel safe and secure in their home, so it can naturally sometimes be the deciding factor when choosing a neighborhood.

To help you consider some places to live, we’ve put together this list of cities with low crime rates. If safety is a big factor for you in picking a place to live, take a look at our top choices below.

What Makes The Safest Place To Live In The USA?

It’s important to note that “safety” is a subjective term and that a city’s crime rate alone doesn’t always accurately reflect how safe it might be to live there. Many factors contribute to the type and frequency of crime in a city, and crime rates can vary significantly even from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Before diving into our list, let’s first see how the crime rates and other data we’ll be examining for each city look for the entire United States. These national averages can provide some context to the rates for each city.

The violent and property crime numbers are the rates per 100,000 inhabitants.

  • Population: Approximately 330,854,690
  • Violent crime rate: 7
  • Property crime rate: 2,109.9
  • Median household income: $68,703
  • Median home price: $428,700

Safest Cities In America

Take a look below at the safest cities in the U.S., based on our research. Using our findings as a guide, you can then decide what you believe is the safest city in America.

Data for each listed city includes numbers from its entire metropolitan statistical area (MSA). If you’re interested in how we calculated our rating, see the methodology section at the bottom of this article for sources and more details.

1. Glens Falls, New York

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Glens Falls MSA includes Warren and Washington counties.

Glens Falls is a city in New York north of Albany, nestled along the Hudson River. With a thriving art scene and proximity to the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, Glens Falls has something for everyone. Sporting many reasonably affordable homes, Glens Falls is a perfect destination if you’re looking to escape busy city life for a home closer to nature.

  • Population: 124,339
  • Violent crime rate: 1
  • Property crime rate: 7
  • Median household income: $50,071
  • Median home price: $211,692

2. Midland, Michigan

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

Midland is best known for being the birthplace and world headquarters of Dow chemical company. There are plenty of parks to enjoy– including the Dow Gardens, a 110-acre garden and conservatory. With a peaceful atmosphere and plenty to do, Midland is a terrific area to call home.

  • Population: 82,943
  • Violent crime rate: 3
  • Property crime rate: 7
  • Median household income: $62,625
  • Median home price: $207,130

3. State College, Pennsylvania

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The State College MSA includes Centre County.

State College is a borough in Pennsylvania known mainly for being the home of Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). This town has a very lively atmosphere, thanks to its university, but it can be a little on the expensive side if you’re looking to live there.

  • Population: 163,681
  • Violent crime rate: 2
  • Property crime rate:6
  • Median household income: $34,005
  • Median home price: $312,400

4. The Villages, Florida

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Villages MSA includes Sumter County.

The Villages is a consistently fast-growing metropolitan area in Florida inhabited mainly by retirees. It’s located just southwest of the Ocala National Forest and northwest of Orlando. The area boasts a well-organized master-planned community with plenty of activities to keep you busy. With warm weather, lots of amenities and low crime, The Villages is a peaceful place to retire.

  • Population: 132,914
  • Violent crime rate: 3
  • Property crime rate: 9
  • Median household income: $63,841
  • Median home price: $381,244

5. Logan, Utah

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Logan MSA includes Franklin and Cache counties.

Logan is a city in northern Utah, located just south of the Idaho border. Lovers of the outdoors will adore the beautiful mountain views and access to Logan Canyon, which boasts hiking trails, campgrounds and even a ski area. Logan is also home to Utah State University.

  • Population: 142,499
  • Violent crime rate: 4
  • Property crime rate: 4
  • Median household income: $41,833
  • Median home price: $349,793

6. Wausau, Wisconsin

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

Wausau MSA includes Lincoln and Marathon counties.

Wausau, Wisconsin is located on the Wisconsin River, which splits the city in half. Wausau is both safe and affordable, and offers plenty to do, especially for history lovers. The city is home to several historical sites, including the Grand Theater, which stood originally as an opera house in 1899.

  • Population: 162,956
  • Violent crime rate: 9
  • Property crime rate: 9
  • Median household income: $46,824
  • Median home price: $160,095

7. Cambridge, Massachusetts

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Boston-Cambridge-Newton MSA includes the metropolitan divisions of Boston, Cambridge-Newton-Framingham, and Rockingham and Strafford counties.

Cambridge is a city rich in history and knowledge. As a major suburb of Boston, Cambridge is full of life and culture – and, of course, influential universities. Both Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are in Cambridge. Though a wonderful place to live with little crime, Cambridge can be incredibly expensive.

  • Population: 2,406,489
  • Violent crime rate: 7
  • Property crime rate: 3
  • Median household income: $103,154
  • Median home price: $1,170,290

8. Elizabethtown, Kentucky


Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Elizabethtown-Fort Knox MSA includes Hardin, Larue and Meade counties.

Elizabethtown is best known for being located near Fort Knox, which has famously held much of the United States’ gold reserves. Elizabethtown is a decently sized and fairly affordable city – and it also has the lowest violent crime rate of any city on our list.

  • Population: 153,255
  • Violent crime rate: 8
  • Property crime rate: 1,134.1
  • Median household income: $46,754
  • Median home price: $224,658

9. Kingston, New York

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Kingston MSA includes Ulster County.

Kingston was New York’s first capital in 1777. Despite being burned by the British during the Revolutionary War, Kingston is still full of old buildings and historical sites and is rich in colonial history. As an overall safe and affordable city, Kingston is a great place to live for families and singles alike.

  • Population: 177,151
  • Violent crime rate: 2
  • Property crime rate: 1,090.6
  • Median household income: $51,299
  • Median home price: $292,631

10. Wenatchee, Washington

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Wenatchee MSA includes Chelan and Douglas counties.

Wenatchee is a city hidden among the foothills of the Cascade mountain range. Full of lush nature, Wenatchee is perfect if you love hiking or just appreciate the outdoors. Sometimes called the “apple capital of the world,” Wenatchee is known for numerous orchards.

  • Population: 120,654
  • Violent crime rate: 1
  • Property crime rate: 1,143.8
  • Median household income: $53,167
  • Median home price: $395,317

11. Appleton, Wisconsin

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Appleton MSA includes Calumet and Outagamie counties.

Situated on the northern side of Lake Winnebago, Appleton is a lively city with much to do. The city is home to a host of yearly events such as holiday parades, Oktoberfest celebrations and a music festival known as the Mile of Music.

  • Population: 238,721
  • Violent crime rate: 2
  • Property crime rate: 1,088.7
  • Median household income: $58,112
  • Median home price: $203,711

12. Dubuque, Iowa

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

Dubuque is located along the Mississippi River at the point where Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin meet in a location locally dubbed “the tri-state area.” There’s plenty to do in Dubuque, with attractions such as Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and a bustling waterfront area with casinos and event venues. Dubuque is an overall lively and safe city for families.

  • Population: 96,742
  • Violent crime rate: 4
  • Property crime rate: 1,140.1
  • Median household income: $54,234
  • Median home price: $187,092

13. Portland, Maine

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Portland MSA includes Cumberland, Sagadahoc and York counties.

Portland is Maine’s most populated city and sits right on the Atlantic coast. It’s a big tourist town and sports a busy waterfront known as the Old Port that’s popular for its bustling nightlife. Though the median home price is slightly higher than other more affordable cities on the list, Portland has scenic ocean views that you can’t beat.

  • Population: 539,924
  • Violent crime rate: 6
  • Property crime rate: 1,256.5
  • Median household income: $60,467
  • Median home price: $467,173

14. Worcester, Massachusetts

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Worcester MSA includes Windham and Worcester counties.

Worcester is the second most populated city in Massachusetts, after Boston. Worcester is a great city if you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to Boston, though the city is much further from the Massachusetts Bay. The city is known mainly for its historic colonial era architecture and numerous museums.

  • Population: 870,501
  • Violent crime rate: 4
  • Property crime rate: 1,065.2
  • Median household income: $48,139
  • Median home price: $349,673

15. Rochester, Minnesota

Safest cheapest places to live in the us

The Rochester MSA includes Dodge, Fillmore, Olmsted and Wabasha counties.

Rochester is the third largest city in Minnesota and the home of the Mayo Clinic. Rochester has numerous fun and exciting attractions, including the humorous Ear of Corn Water Tower. The city is also filled with extensive bike paths, making it an ideal place to live if you’re a cycling enthusiast or looking to commute by bike to work or school.

  • Population: 221,013
  • Violent crime rate: 5
  • Property crime rate: 1,272.8
  • Median household income: $73,106
  • Median home price: $307,347

Methodology For The Safest Cities In The US

We found and ranked the cities in this list using the violent and property crime data from the FBI’s 2019 Crime Report, the most recent report available. The population data for each MSA came from the 2019 Crime Report as well. Median home values for 2022 were taken from neighborhoodscout.com, a real estate analytics hub. The median household income came from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 data and findings. While we used crime data to sort this list, it’s important to note that this is by no means a definitive listing of the absolute safest cities in the U.S.

The Bottom Line

Safety is a complex equation, so keep in mind that many safe places to live aren’t on this list. One of the best ways to gauge the safety of a place you’d like to move is to work with a trusted and knowledgeable real estate agent.

If you’re looking to relocate to a new city, give yourself the best shot at your dream house by starting early. Get started with  Rocket Mortgage® to gain an edge in your target markets, no matter what city you ultimately land in.

Where is the safest and cheapest place to live?

10 of the cheapest and safest places to live in the world.
Albania..
Portugal..
Costa Rica..
Panama..
Mexico..
Thailand..
Malaysia..
Vietnam..

What city in US has the lowest cost of living?

The 10 most affordable cities in the US.
McAllen, TX. Rent: $1,037. Transportation: $267. ... .
Tulsa, OK. Rent: $1,121. Transportation: $272. ... .
Knoxville, TN. Rent: $1,290. Transportation: $248. ... .
Oklahoma City, OK. Rent: $1,349. ... .
Buffalo, NY. Rent: $1,466. ... .
Albuquerque, NM. Rent: $1,530. ... .
Cincinnati, OH. Rent: $1,518. ... .
El Paso, TX. Rent: $1,502..

Where is the cheapest and easiest place to live?

The Best Places to Live in America: 10 Most Affordable Cities.
Fort Wayne, Indiana..
Wichita Falls, Texas..
Brownsville, Texas..
South Bend, Indiana..
Dayton, Ohio..
Toledo, Ohio..
Evansville, Indiana..
Buffalo, New York..

What is the safest place to live in the United States?

With only 3 violent crimes and 62 property crimes reported in 2013, Glen Cove earns the title of Safest City in America.