Recently, with inflation and increasing prices, people have been drawn to the idea of relocating to a new city or state with a lower cost of living. However, the decision to move to a new place can be challenging, especially if safety is among the top priorities. Cities with a low cost of living sometimes don’t have the best safety indexes too. Still, those two are not mutually exclusive! There are many cities and towns in the United States that offer both low living costs and safe environments. In this article, we are going to explore some safe cities that have an affordable cost of living index in the US. Whether you’re planning to retire, raise a family, or start a new life, these places offer a range of amenities and opportunities to suit many different lifestyles. Let’s jump in and discover places that are both safe and offer the comfort of an excellent cost of living!
The cost of living and safety indexes
Not only are there safe cities with very advantageous cost of living indexes in the US, but there are also cities with low cost of living and high wages! All those can be discovered by looking at metrics that synthesize the available information on specific places.
The cost of living index
When searching for potential cities to move to, the cost of living index is the most useful tool. The cost of living index practically compares the average cost of living in different locations. The index offers a synthesis of the prices of goods and services in a specific location, like groceries, housing, and healthcare. The cost of living index then takes an average of the cost of those goods and compares them to a national average. The national average is given the value of 100; a specific state or city's cost of living index is then expressed as a percentage of that national average. If a city's cost of living index is 80, it means that living in that city is 20% cheaper than the national average, for example.
The safety index
Calculated from data on crime rates, natural disasters, and other possible hazards in a specific place, the safety index provides valuable data for people who are considering moving and need help with identifying potential locations that can fit their needs and expectations. While the safety index of a specific location offers a general notion of its safety, it’s advised to research the different contributing factors individually for a more accurate picture. Some indexes focus on crime rates and can overlook the risk of natural catastrophes, for example. A place can have a good overall safety index and be unsuitable for you at the same time. Still, the safety index is a crucial tool in assessing a state or city and can help navigate the information before deciding to move there.
The states with the lowest cost of living
Looking at the cost of living indexes, these are the least expensive places to live in 2023:
Mississippi
In the state of Mississippi, the cost of living index seems to be 16% lower than the national average, while housing costs are 34% less expensive than the national average. This makes Mississippi undoubtedly the cheapest state to live in right now.
Arkansas
Cost of living is 9%, and housing is 21% lower than the national average in Arkansas. The state boasts beautiful national parks and great cultural attractions for inexpensive living costs.
West Virginia
This state doesn’t fall short in natural beauty either, while the cost of living index shows 79.4. The cost-quality balance is excellent, considering all the amazing things the state has to offer.
Ohio
A state proud of its vibrant art and music scene, Ohio is also known for its affordable living costs. Housing costs 23% less than the national average, while the overall cost of living is 9% lower.
Kansas
The cost of living index in Kansas is 16.9% lower than the national average currently, making this state one of the cheapest places to live in 2023.
The safest states in America
Measuring safety can be a subjective matter because it can be mapped by so many criteria and by so many different priorities. However, there are standards for assessing safety, like the crime rate index, natural disaster risks, or the quality and accessibility of healthcare in a specific location. These help to see how safe a state is, and make it possible to see the changes taking place throughout the years. Some states have a long record of ranking high in safety. The first example is Vermont, which has ranked the safest state in the USA for years in a row. Maine, New Hampshire, and Minnesota have also been at the top of the list for many years. The list continues with Utah, Hawaii, and Iowa, which also have a reputation of being among the safest states to live in. Before making any decision, it’s important to remember that the safety index gives a more general idea about safety, and the rates can vary greatly within each state.
The cheapest safest cities to live in the USA
Sometimes, finding a cheap and safe place to live can be challenging, because of all the contrasting informations on safety and cost of living. Still, plenty of American cities are safe and have a low cost of living index. Some of them are the following:
Virginia Beach, Virginia (cost of living: 103.3; violent crime rate: 1.12 per 1,000 residents)
Boise, Idaho (cost of living 116.5; violent crime rate: 2.49 per 1,000 residents)
Topeka, Kansas (cost of living: 78.8; violent crime rate: 6.16 for 1,000 people)
Frisco, Texas (cost of living index: 120; crime rate: 1.01 per 1000 persons)
Lexington, Kentucky (cost of living: 90.5; crime rate 3.04 per 1000 persons)
Wrapping up
Choosing a new place to live is a big decision. Finding that gentle equilibrium between cost and safety can be a challenging task. But as soon as you dive into the search, you find out that many places in the US offer affordable living expenses and safe environments for their residents at the same time. Looking at indexes like the cost of living and safety, considering factors such as crime rates, cost of living, and quality of life, you have all the tools to help you identify the place you will be soon calling home. Ultimately, the key to finding a safe and affordable place to live is to prioritize what is most important to you and explore all your possible options through a thorough search. Reading the information available, you can find a place to enjoy living without feeling unsafe or breaking the bank.