An Analysis of the 15 Cheapest and Safest Places to Live in the US

1. Introduction

• This report presents a detailed analysis of the 15 most affordable and safe places to live in the United States, based on a comprehensive study conducted by GOBankingRates. The data incorporates crime rates, annual expenditures, and various cost-of-living factors to identify cities and towns offering the best balance between affordability and safety.

2. Overview of Methodology

• 2-1. Data Sources

• The data for this study were sourced from NeighborhoodScout, US News, Sperling’s Best Places, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

• 2-2. Factors Considered

• Several factors were taken into account in this analysis: 1. Crime Rate, 2. Grocery Cost, 3. Health Cost, 4. Utility Cost, 5. Transportation Cost, and 6. Miscellaneous Cost.

• 2-3. Scoring and Comparison Method

• The scoring and comparison of cities were done through a combination of expenditure costs and crime rates. Each cost of living index was multiplied by the average annual expenditure for its category, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. These combined costs provided a total average annual expenditure cost, which was then scored alongside the crime rate to facilitate a comprehensive comparison.

3. Detailed Analysis of Top 15 Cities and Towns

• 3-1. South Kingstown, Rhode Island

• Population: 31,851. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 4.7. Annual expenditures: $22,254. South Kingstown, often referred to as 'SK,' is the county seat of Washington County and is celebrating its 300th birthday this year. It includes the village of Kingston, home to the University of Rhode Island. A year’s worth of groceries will cost you $5,664 on average.

• 3-2. Arlington, Massachusetts

• Population: 45,617. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.4. Annual expenditures: $23,556. Arlington was originally settled nearly 400 years ago and offers easy access to Boston. The annual cost for housing is $69,388, utilities around $5,000, and groceries approximately $6,000.

• 3-3. Edwardsville, Illinois

• Population: 25,218. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 5.5. Annual expenditures: $20,965. Edwardsville is a suburb of St. Louis and the county seat of Madison County. It is located along historic Route 66. You will pay about $431 a month for groceries.

• 3-4. Mundelein, Illinois

• Population: 31,560. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 5.3. Annual expenditures: $20,907. Mundelein is located about 35 miles northwest of Chicago. Attractions include Diamond Lake and the Mundelein Heritage Museum. Housing costs in Mundelein are $21,063.

• 3-5. White Lake, Michigan

• Population: 30,990. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 4.2. Annual expenditures: $22,185. White Lake is a suburb of Detroit that includes Highland Recreation Area. The cost of groceries amounts to $5,191 annually.

• 3-6. Mason, Ohio

• Population: 35,089. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 5.1. Annual expenditures: $21,046. Mason is about 20 miles north of Cincinnati and is known for hosting the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament. Housing costs are approximately $27,000 annually.

• 3-7. Brandon, Mississippi

• Population: 25,373. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 5.3. Annual expenditures: $20,767. Brandon is located about 15 miles east of Jackson and is the county seat of Rankin County. Brandon features the Downtown Brandon Historic District and the Brandon Amphitheater. It has the lowest housing costs in our top 15 at $17,172.

• 3-8. Lake in the Hills, Illinois

• Population: 28,945. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.1. Annual expenditures: $23,339. Another Chicago suburb, Lake in the Hills saw rapid growth in the 1990s. It has the lowest crime rate in our top 15. The annual cost for groceries is $5,091.

• 3-9. Muskego, Wisconsin

• Population: 25,242. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.8. Annual expenditures: $22,228. Muskego is regularly listed among Wisconsin’s safest and most affordable cities. Housing costs are $30,361. Groceries will cost about $442 a month.

• 3-10. Independence, Kentucky

• Population: 28,920. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.9. Annual expenditures: $21,871. Independence is located in northern Kentucky, about 15 miles south of Cincinnati. It has the second-lowest housing costs in our top 15 at $18,212.

• 3-11. Madison, Mississippi

• Population: 27,719. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 4.5. Annual expenditures: $20,698. Madison is a suburb of Jackson and has seen significant population growth since 1980. It has the second-lowest annual utility costs in our top 15, estimated at $3,940.

• 3-12. Windsor, Colorado

• Population: 35,788. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 4.5. Annual expenditures: $20,347. Windsor is situated in northern Colorado and is known for more than two dozen parks and Windsor Lake. It has the second-highest housing costs in our list at $39,253. Costs for utilities, healthcare, and transportation are among the lowest.

• 3-13. Zionsville, Indiana

• Population: 31,702. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.6. Annual expenditures: $21,282. Zionsville, an Indianapolis suburb, is known as 'Dahlia City.' It has more than 500 acres of parks and a charming downtown area.

• 3-14. Avon Lake, Ohio

• Population: 25,588. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 4.3. Annual expenditures: $19,671. Avon Lake, located on the south shore of Lake Erie, is one of the two cities in our top 15 with annual expenditures under $20,000. It features parks, bike trails, and a boat launch.

• 3-15. Rexburg, Idaho

• Population: 35,300. Total crime rate per 1,000 residents: 3.9. Annual expenditures: $19,267. Rexburg brands itself as 'America’s Family Community' and is home to Brigham Young University-Idaho. The cost of groceries is $404 a month, utilities $323 a month, and transportation $292 a month.

4. Comparative Analysis

• 4-1. Crime Rate Comparison

• The crime rates among the 15 most affordable and safe places to live in the US vary significantly. Lake in the Hills, Illinois, boasts the lowest crime rate at 3.1 per 1,000 residents, while Edwardsville, Illinois, records the highest with 5.5 per 1,000 residents. Other notable mentions include Arlington, Massachusetts (3.4), Zionsville, Indiana (3.6), and Rexburg, Idaho (3.9). These figures were sourced from NeighborhoodScout and highlight the relative safety of these cities.

• 4-2. Annual Expenditures Comparison

• Annual expenditures across the 15 cities reflect their affordability. Avon Lake, Ohio, and Rexburg, Idaho, were the most economical, with yearly expenditures of $19,671 and $19,267, respectively. Conversely, Arlington, Massachusetts, was the most expensive at $23,556 annually. These costs were compiled by combining multiple living expenses such as housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation, utilizing data sourced from Sperling’s Best Places and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey.

• 4-3. Grocery Cost Comparison

• Grocery costs differ across these cities, influencing the overall affordability. Rexburg, Idaho, offers the lowest grocery costs at approximately $404 per month, while Arlington, Massachusetts, incurs nearly $500 per month. South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and White Lake, Michigan, also maintain relatively low grocery expenses, making them attractive for budget-conscious residents.

• 4-4. Housing Cost Comparison

• Housing costs are pivotal in determining the affordability of these cities. Brandon, Mississippi, leads as the most economical with an annual housing cost of $17,172, whereas Arlington, Massachusetts, is the most expensive at $69,388 per year. Housing affordability in other cities like Mundelein, Illinois ($21,063), and Independence, Kentucky ($18,212) also underscores their attractiveness.

• 4-5. Utility Cost Comparison

• Utility costs among the top 15 cities show significant variance. Madison, Mississippi, stands out with the second-lowest utility costs at $3,940 annually, while Arlington, Massachusetts, peaks at approximately $5,000 yearly. Windsor, Colorado, and Rexburg, Idaho, also offer lower utility expenses, enhancing their overall affordability.

• 4-6. Transportation Cost Comparison

• Transportation costs add to the overall living expenses in these cities. Rexburg, Idaho, is noted for the lowest annual transportation expenditures at $292 per month. Windsor, Colorado, and Avon Lake, Ohio, also feature lower transportation costs, contributing to their rank amongst the most affordable places.

• 4-7. Miscellaneous Cost Comparison

• Miscellaneous costs were compiled to provide a comprehensive view of living expenses. These include healthcare, entertainment, and other personal expenses. The data from Sperling's Best Places helped in determining these costs, contributing to the overall analysis of each city's affordability.

5. Key Insights and Findings

• 5-1. Common Traits Among Top Cities

• Most cities and towns in the top 15 list compiled by GOBankingRates share a few common traits. They tend to be suburbs, are mostly located in the Midwest with some representation from the East, Mountain West, and South. Avoiding the East or West coasts, these cities have populations ranging between 20,000 to 40,000 residents.

• 5-2. Regional Distribution: Midwest, East, Mountain West, South

• Among the top 15 cities that combine affordability and safety, there is a notable regional distribution: Illinois holds three spots, while Mississippi and Ohio each have two. The Midwest dominates the list with several cities, but there are also notable mentions from the Mountain West, and the South.

• 5-3. City and Town Population Ranges

• The population of the cities and towns listed in the top 15 ranges between 20,000 to 40,000 residents. For example, South Kingstown, Rhode Island has a population of 31,851, while Edwardsville, Illinois has 25,218 residents.

• 5-4. Notable Mentions: Cities with the Lowest Housing Costs and Crime Rates

• Among the top 15 cities, some have been specifically noted for their low housing costs and crime rates. For instance, Brandon, Mississippi has the lowest housing cost at $17,172, and Lake in the Hills, Illinois has the lowest total crime rate per 1,000 residents at 3.1. Additionally, Avon Lake, Ohio stands out with an annual expenditure of $19,671, one of the lowest among the 15 cities.

6. Glossary

• 6-1. South Kingstown, Rhode Island [City]

• South Kingstown, also known as SK, is celebrated as the county seat of Washington County and is known for its low crime rate and moderate annual expenditures. Home to the University of Rhode Island, it offers a blend of educational and historical attractions.

• 6-2. Arlington, Massachusetts [City]

• With a low crime rate and easy access to Boston, Arlington is notable for its historical significance and affordable living conditions despite higher housing costs. It was originally settled nearly 400 years ago.

• 6-3. Edwardsville, Illinois [City]

• Serving as the county seat of Madison County, Edwardsville has the highest crime rate among the top 15, yet it maintains low overall annual expenditures and affordable grocery costs. It is part of the historic Route 66.

• 6-4. Mundelein, Illinois [City]

• A Chicago suburb, Mundelein offers attractions such as Diamond Lake and the Mundelein Heritage Museum. It has one of the lowest housing costs in the top 15 cities listed in this report.

• 6-5. White Lake, Michigan [City]

• A suburb of Detroit, White Lake Township features notable attractions like the Alpine Valley Ski Resort and Highland Recreation Area. It boasts affordable grocery costs and a low crime rate.

• 6-6. Mason, Ohio [City]

• Situated in Southwestern Ohio, Mason is known for hosting the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament and the Kings Island amusement park. It has moderate housing costs within the top 15 cities reviewed.

• 6-7. Brandon, Mississippi [City]

• Located near Jackson, Brandon is distinguished by its fast-growing community and low housing costs. It's known for the Downtown Brandon Historic District and the new Brandon Amphitheater.

• 6-8. Lake in the Hills, Illinois [City]

• With the lowest crime rate among the top 15, this Chicago suburb has grown significantly since the 1990s. It also boasts very low grocery costs.

• 6-9. Muskego, Wisconsin [City]

• Regularly appearing on lists of Wisconsin’s safest cities, Muskego offers moderately high housing costs but is praised for its affordability in other living costs.

• 6-10. Independence, Kentucky [City]

• Located in northern Kentucky, Independence offers one of the lowest housing costs among the top 15 listed cities, combined with a low crime rate.

• 6-11. Madison, Mississippi [City]

• A rapidly growing suburb of Jackson, Madison boasts the second-lowest utilities cost in the top 15 and offers attractions like the Simmons Arboretum.

• 6-12. Windsor, Colorado [City]

• Despite facing tornado damage in 2008, Windsor has rebounded with a strong community, featuring some of the lowest costs for utilities, healthcare, and transportation among the studied cities.

• 6-13. Zionsville, Indiana [City]

• Known for its safety and charming small-town feel, Zionsville offers many parks and a quaint downtown area, making it an attractive residential option.

• 6-14. Avon Lake, Ohio [City]

• One of the most affordable places to live with annual expenditures under $20,000, Avon Lake is a Cleveland suburb noted for its recreational amenities and low housing costs.

• 6-15. Rexburg, Idaho [City]

• Known as 'America’s Family Community,' Rexburg offers the lowest annual costs for groceries, utilities, and transportation among the top 15 cities, coupled with a low crime rate.

7. Conclusion

• This report underscores the diverse yet specific characteristics of the safest and most affordable places to live in the United States. By considering multiple cost-of-living factors and crime rates, the cities and towns listed here offer a balanced mix of safety and affordability, making them ideal for potential residents seeking economical yet secure living environments.

8. Source Documents

• 15 Cheapest, Safest Places To Live in the UShttps://www.nasdaq.com/articles/15-cheapest-safest-places-live-us