What is the safest small town in America?

There isn't one single "safest" small town, as rankings vary by methodology (e.g., violent vs. property crime), but Ridgefield, Connecticut, Columbus, Indiana, and towns like Zionsville, Indiana, Wallingford, CT, and Monroe Township, NJ consistently appear at the top for low crime rates, with some reports highlighting Ridgefield's extremely low violent crime and Columbus's strong property crime records in recent years.


What is the safest small town in the United States?

There's no single "safest" town, as rankings vary by report and criteria, but Columbus, Indiana, often leads as a top contender for overall safety, while other consistently safe small towns include Wallingford, CT; Lone Peak, UT; Zionsville, IN; Monroe Township, NJ; and Lexington, MA, noted for low violent and property crime rates, with New England and the Midwest frequently dominating safety lists. 

What is the #1 most violent city in the US?

While rankings vary by source and year, Memphis, Tennessee, frequently appears as the #1 most dangerous city in America based on recent violent crime rates (per 100,000 people) for cities with populations over 100,000, followed by cities like Detroit, Oakland, and Baltimore, according to reports from 2024 and 2025. These lists consider factors like homicides, assaults, and property crimes, with Memphis often leading due to high rates of violent offenses. 


Where is the cheapest but safest place to live in America?

The cheapest and safest places to live in the U.S. often blend low crime rates with affordable housing, with top contenders frequently including small cities in Ohio (like New Philadelphia), Georgia (Roswell, Johns Creek), Texas (Mission, Brownsville), Michigan (Grand Rapids, Bay City), and Oklahoma (Enid, Edmond), offering good cost of living, low property values, and stable economies, though "safest" and "cheapest" can vary by ranking source. 

Where is the least violent place to live?

Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world in 2021, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal, and Slovenia.


10 Safest Small Cities to Live in America



What state is #1 in crime?

Alaska and New Mexico consistently rank as having the highest violent crime rates in the U.S. according to 2024 data, with Alaska at the very top for overall violent incidents per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, with other states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana also facing high rates. While some sources mention high overall crime rates in the District of Columbia (though not a state) and states like Colorado, Alaska leads for violent offenses. 

Where is the cheapest but safe place to live in the world?

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


Where is the safest and most affordable place to retire?

The safest and most affordable places to retire blend low cost of living with low crime, often found in smaller U.S. cities or abroad, with top contenders including Fargo, ND (tax-friendly, low housing), Jonesborough, TN, Brandon, MS, and Midland, MI, while international options like Cuenca, Ecuador, or Coimbra, Portugal, offer vibrant cultures and big savings, but consider factors like healthcare access, taxes, and personal lifestyle preferences. 


What is the easiest state to live in financially?

The easiest states to live in financially generally have low costs of living, especially for housing, and often feature low taxes, with Tennessee, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi frequently topping lists for affordability and savings potential, driven by cheaper groceries, transport, and lower median home values compared to national averages. Southern and Midwestern states tend to offer more financial ease, while high-cost areas like Hawaii, California, and the Northeast are typically the hardest. 

Where can Americans afford to live alone in 2025?

These are the U.S. cities where Americans can actually afford to live on a single person's income—and the ones out-of-budget for singletons
  • Budget-friendly options came down to these locations. ...
  • 1) Wichita, Kansas. ...
  • 2) Baton Rouge, Louisiana. ...
  • 3) Lincoln, Nebraska. ...
  • 4) Des Moines, Iowa. ...
  • 5) Akron, Ohio.


What are the top 10 unsafe cities?

The most dangerous cities often top lists due to high violent crime rates, with Memphis, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Detroit frequently appearing for the U.S., driven by poverty, gangs, and gun violence, while globally, cities like Colima, Mexico, and Caracas, Venezuela, often rank high due to extreme homicide rates. Rankings vary by source (WalletHub, U.S. News, Security.org), focusing on violent crime, homicide rates, or overall safety metrics, but consistently highlight cities with socioeconomic challenges. 


What city in the U.S. has the most murders per capita?

Cities with the highest murder rates per capita in the U.S. often include New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Detroit, with rankings fluctuating yearly, but these Southern and Midwestern cities consistently see elevated rates due to factors like poverty and social challenges, with New Orleans frequently leading, followed by Memphis and St. Louis, per analyses from sources like Visual Capitalist and USA Today. 

Which state is the highest in crime rate?

Alaska and New Mexico consistently rank highest for violent crime rates per capita in recent data, with Alaska often leading in overall violent incidents and New Mexico close behind, followed by states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Louisiana also frequently appears as a top state for overall danger due to high violent crime and homicide rates, while Mississippi has very high murder rates. 

What is the friendliest small town in the United States?

There's no single "friendliest" town, as it's subjective, but Murray, Kentucky, famously won the Rand McNally/USA Today "Friendliest Small Town" title years ago, while towns like Concordia, Kansas, Tryon, North Carolina, and Abilene, Kansas are frequently praised for welcoming vibes, community spirit, and charm in recent lists. Many lists highlight Southern hospitality, Midwestern openness, or unique community events as hallmarks of friendliness. 


What are the top 3 safest states?

The top 3 safest states consistently ranking high in 2025 reports are Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, followed closely by Maine, with these Northeast states leading due to low crime, good economic factors, and overall personal security, according to analyses from WalletHub and other sources. 

Where is the best small town to move to?

Towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, and Chesterbrook, PA, stand out for their affordability, safety, and amenities. Carmel offers beach access and a rich nightlife, while Chesterbrook boasts excellent schools and parks.

What is the happiest state to live in?

According to WalletHub's 2025 study, Hawaii is the happiest state in the U.S., ranking first for its strong emotional/physical well-being, work environment, and community/environment factors, with residents showing high life satisfaction, low depression, and long life expectancy, followed by Maryland and Nebraska in the top three. 


Where is the cheapest but nicest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, best places to live in the U.S. often involve the Midwest and South, with cities like Wichita (KS), Fort Wayne (IN), Dayton (OH), and Knoxville (TN) offering low housing costs and good value, while states like West Virginia, Mississippi, and Oklahoma consistently rank as most affordable overall. Key factors are low housing prices and a cost of living significantly below the national average, with some top contenders being Decatur (IL), Enid (OK), and Brownsville (TX), but "best" depends on balancing budget with lifestyle needs like jobs, culture, and amenities. 

What is the cheapest state to retire too?

The cheapest states for retirement generally include West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ohio, Kansas, and Missouri, thanks to low housing, taxes, and overall cost of living, with West Virginia often topping lists as most affordable. These states allow retirement with Social Security to stretch further, though factors like housing costs (e.g., in Mississippi) and healthcare (e.g., Utah, Colorado) also influence overall affordability. 

Where can I retire on $2000 a month in the United States?

You can retire comfortably on $2,000 a month in the U.S. by focusing on affordable Midwest and Southern cities, with top contenders including Fort Wayne, Indiana, Fargo, North Dakota, Knoxville, Tennessee, Oklahoma City, Cincinnati, Ohio, and several locations in Texas (like Brownsville, Abilene) and Florida (like Tallahassee, Fort Myers), which offer lower costs for housing, groceries, and healthcare while still providing good livability and amenities. 


What is the #1 state to retire in?

There's no single #1 state, as it depends on priorities, but Florida often tops lists for low taxes & warmth (WalletHub, Edelman), while New Hampshire leads for overall well-being, safety, & healthcare (Bankrate), and Wyoming scores high for tax competitiveness (Empower). Other top contenders include Maine, Vermont, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Utah, showcasing a mix of sunny & four-season locations excelling in different factors like affordability, healthcare, or lifestyle.
 

Can I live on $5000 a month in retirement?

To retire comfortably, many retirees need between $60,000 and $100,000 annually, or $5,000 to $8,300 per month. This varies based on personal financial needs and expenses.

Where in the world can I live for $800 a month?

7 destinations where you can live well on $800/month—without...
  • Chattanooga, Tennessee (USA) ...
  • Mérida, Mexico. ...
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand. ...
  • George Town, Penang (Malaysia) ...
  • Medellín, Colombia. ...
  • Tbilisi, Georgia. ...
  • Bali, Indonesia.


Where can I live that is warm and cheap?

Best affordable warm states with soaring home prices
  • Texas. Texas is ideal for millennials and Gen Z buyers who want affordable housing, strong job opportunities, and a good quality of life without the sky-high prices of coastal cities. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Arizona. ...
  • Georgia. ...
  • South Carolina.


What country can a US citizen move to easily?

North America offers some of the easiest relocation options for US citizens, with familiar culture, short travel distances, and well-established expat communities. Canada and Costa Rica stand out as top choices, each offering residency pathways for investors, retirees, and families.