Where is the cheapest safest place to live in the US?

The cheapest, safest places to live in the U.S. often feature lower crime rates and a low cost of living, with Southern cities like Roswell, GA, and Johns Creek, GA, frequently topping lists for small cities, while Midwestern areas like New Philadelphia, OH, and New Ulm, MN, also offer great value, and even large cities like Oklahoma City, OK, provide affordable housing. West Virginia as a state consistently ranks high for overall affordability, with cities like El Paso, TX, and Omaha, NE, noted for low housing costs, though safety can vary.


What US state is safest and cheapest to live in?

For the best combination of cheap and safe, consider states like Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas, which consistently rank high in affordability (low housing, groceries, overall cost of living) while also offering manageable safety, with Vermont and New Hampshire often topping pure safety lists, though they are pricier. The ideal balance depends on whether you prioritize the lowest cost (Mississippi) or strong safety (Vermont), with Midwestern/Southern states generally offering lower expenses and Northern/New England states often leading in safety metrics. 

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. 


Which city in the US has the lowest crime rate?

There isn't one single city with the "lowest" crime rate, as rankings vary by study and criteria (violent vs. property crime, city size), but Irvine, CA, Johns Creek, GA, and Gilbert, AZ consistently rank among the safest large cities, while smaller places like Ridgefield, CT and Greenwich, CT often have extremely low rates. For large cities (250k+), Irvine, CA, and Virginia Beach, VA, often lead in low violent crime, while smaller cities like Johns Creek, GA, are noted for low murder/property crimes.
 

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.


10 Safest and Most Affordable Places to Live in the United States 2024



Where can you live on $1200 a month?

Varna, Bulgaria—one of the cities highlighted in a new report on the world's most affordable places to live or retire for as little as $1,200 a month. That financial reality has more people exploring the idea of moving abroad—whether for retirement, remote work or a lifestyle change.

What is the nicest but cheapest country to live in?

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


What state is #1 in crime in the USA?

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. 


What is the safest small town to live in the USA?

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 best place to live in the US?

There's no single #1 best place; it depends on what you value, but recent studies highlight Johns Creek, GA (U.S. News 2025-26 for overall quality/value), Naperville, IL (Forbes 2025 for affordability/family), and Fremont, CA (happiest city) as top contenders, alongside states like Massachusetts for quality of life, with mid-sized metros like Green Bay, WI, and Raleigh, NC, also praised for balance. 

What is a $1 dollar house in the US?

The One-Dollar Homeownership Program is an unprecedented partnership between NACA and cities and towns across the nation to create affordable homeownership for low to moderate income homebuyers in underserved communities. Community residents can purchase a vacant house or lot from the city for only one dollar.


What is America's happiest city?

According to recent studies, Fremont, California, is frequently named the happiest city in the U.S., noted for high life satisfaction, financial stability, low depression, strong community, and ample green space. Other cities like San Jose, Irvine, and Sioux Falls also rank highly, with happiness often linked to economic well-being, good mental health, strong social connections, and access to nature and recreation, though rankings vary slightly by study. 

Where is the cheapest place to start a new life?

Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026
  • Decatur, IL.
  • Enid, OK.
  • Springfield, IL.
  • Mission, TX.
  • Bay City, MI.
  • Eagle Pass, TX.


What are the top 3 safest states to live in?

Based on recent 2025 analyses, the top three safest states in the U.S. are consistently Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, often followed closely by Maine, with these Northeastern states leading due to low violent crime, good healthcare access, and lower disaster risks. These rankings consider factors like crime rates, financial security, and natural disaster prevalence, with New Hampshire often ranking #1 for public safety by specific metrics, while Vermont leads overall in some studies. 


What is the #1 best small city in America?

Best Small Cities to Live in America
  • Carmel, Ind. Carmel, Indiana, ranks as the best small city to live in, thanks to a combination of strong economic performance, health outcomes, and safety. ...
  • Brookfield, Wisc. Brookfield, Wisconsin, takes the second spot, driven by low unemployment and poverty levels. ...
  • Apex, N.C.


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. 

What are the top 5 most murderous states?

Based on recent data (2023-2024), the U.S. states with the highest murder rates per capita consistently include Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, New Mexico, and Tennessee, often joined by South Carolina or Alaska, reflecting higher incidents relative to population, while states like Texas and California have the most total murders due to larger populations. 


What's the safest county in America?

There isn't one single "safest" county, as rankings vary by report, but Nassau County, NY, often appears at the top for public safety scores, with Rockland County (NY), Arlington County (VA), and Bergen County (NJ) also frequently cited as exceptionally safe areas, reflecting low crime rates and strong community safety measures. Other contenders include Putnam County, NY, and Westchester County, NY, showing New York and neighboring states dominate the safest lists. 

What state is the toughest on crime?

There isn't one single "toughest" state, as it depends on the metric: Louisiana often leads in incarceration rates, making it tough on offenders, while states like Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut rank high for public safety and low violent crime, indicating effective crime prevention, though some blue states like California are also adopting harsher sentencing recently. Metrics like incarceration rates, sentencing length, violent crime rates, and overall public safety rankings all paint different pictures of "toughness". 

Can you live on $1000 a month?

Making your budget work when you have $1,000 in monthly income is possible, though it might take some serious work. Drastically reducing expenses can be a great place to start, and bringing in more income can of course help, too. Changing banks is one more money-saving tip to know.


Which EU country has the lowest cost of living?

The cheapest countries to live in Europe generally include North Macedonia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary, offering significantly lower costs for rent, food, and daily expenses compared to Western Europe, with options like Romania and Hungary popular for expats seeking budget-friendly lifestyles, culture, and even remote work visas. 

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.

Can I afford $1000 rent making $20 an hour?

*“If you're earning $20 an hour, you might be wondering — can I really afford $1,000 rent? 🤔 You're bringing in about $3,200 before taxes, and experts suggest keeping rent near 30% of your income — that's roughly $960. So yes, $1,000 rent is doable… but it's tight with other bills.


How to survive on very low income?

Save money on household bills
  1. Review your energy costs. ...
  2. Find ways to cut the cost of your household bills. ...
  3. Apply for energy efficiency grants. ...
  4. Switch to a smart water meter. ...
  5. Ways to spend less on fuel costs. ...
  6. Ways to spend less on food. ...
  7. Use a food bank if you're facing an emergency. ...
  8. Help with phone and broadband costs.


Where can I retire on $1-200 a month?

You can retire on $1,200 a month by moving to very affordable international locations like Southeast Asia (Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia), Eastern Europe (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania), or Latin America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Nicaragua), where your budget covers low rent (often $300-$500), cheap food, and local transport, or explore budget areas within the US like parts of Texas or Iowa if you already own a home.