Tired of living in an expensive and overcrowded city with constant safety concerns? Having to worry about finances and safety is taking its toll on our physical and mental health and takes away from our quality of life. Lately, more and more individuals and families are considering relocating to safe cities that have an affordable cost of living, and for good reasons. Living in a place that is both safe and affordable can significantly impact our lives in a positive manner. If you’ve had enough of paying triple for the same amenities, maybe it’s time to consider a change of scenery and move to one of the safest and cheapest places in the US!
We know moving to a new place can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when you don’t know where to start. But fear not, because in this article, we are going to explore the top cities that offer a high quality of life for a better price. Low crime rates? Affordable housing? Even cities with low cost of living and high wages exist! Let’s discover which cities have the potential to become your future home!
Which are the best states to move to in 2024?
The fresh statistics of the cost of living and safety indexes allow us to easily identify the states that are cheaper and safer to move to in the year 2024. These statistics frequently change because of economic reasons, so it’s advised to always check the data on a specific location before committing to a move.
The least expensive states in the USA
The following states are currently ranking as the most affordable in 2024.
Mississippi
The Magnolia state, which also ranks excellently in the fields of science and engineering, is actually one of the least expensive states to live in 2024. With the cost of living 16% under the national average, Mississippi is already very affordable. Add to that the housing index, which is 34% lower than the national average, and you get one of the top most affordable states to live in 2024.
Arkansas
The beautiful state of Arkansas, boasting amazing natural beauties and healing mineral springs is also one of the cheapest and most livable places in the United States. Living in this state comes with the benefits of low costs of living, low rent prices, and housing prices that are 21% lower than the national average.
Kansas
A popular place to move to in 2024, Kansas has a cost of living index that is constantly appearing to be lower than the national average. According to the numbers, living costs are 16.9%lower than the national average in Kansas. The city of Topeka is one of the cheapest cities to move to, which is also very safe!
Ohio
A state with a lively music and art scene, Ohio is crammed with things to do. It also has very affordable living costs. Housing costs are 23% less than the national average, and the overall cost of living is 9% lower.
West Virginia
With amazing outdoor recreation options and places to visit, West Virginia is one of the most beautiful states loved by those who like outdoor sports or spending time in nature. This scenic state is also a very affordable place to call home. The cost of living is 20.6% lower than the national average, offering a great quality of life for low prices.
The safest states in the USA
There are some states which have been consistently ranking high in safety over the course of the years. With slight fluctuations, some states seem to be the all-time winners when it comes to safety. For example, Vermont has been ranked as the safest state for several years. Maine, New Hampshire, and Minnesota are also leading, as well as Hawaii, Utah, and Iowa. All of those states have a long record of being very safe. While safety can vary greatly based on location in the state, these indexes help provide averages to form a general idea.
Safe states that are also affordable
Many of the states considered to be the safest also have a reasonably low cost of living. Maine, for example, has been ranked several times as one of the safest states in the USA, while it has a lower cost of living than other states in the region. Maine is followed by Utah, which also has relatively low costs of living outside of the Salt Lake City area. Other states that are similar in many aspects are Iowa, North Dakota, and Nebraska.
Safe and affordable cities to move to in 2024
As a rule, it’s easier to find a place that is both affordable and safe in areas that are located further from large metropolitan areas. Usually, in smaller towns and rural areas, more cheap and safe places are available that are easier to stumble upon.
Whatever your motive for relocating might be, it’s important to remember that affordability and safety are just two criteria of many to consider when moving to a new place. Accessibility of education, the availability of quality healthcare, or the proximity of natural areas and parks can also be important criteria when searching for the perfect place to live. Also, it’s important to note, that most big cities have good and bad neighborhoods, and it’s advised to do research on specific areas before committing to a move.
Based on current statistics, these cities have both the perks of being affordable, and being safe:
- 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)
- Ridgefield, Connecticut (cost of living:162.3; crime rate: 1.96 per 1,000 residents)
- Mobile, Alabama (cost of living: 82.9; crime rate: 27.94 per 1,000 residents)
- Jackson, Mississippi (cost of living: 81.8; crime rate: 42.09 per 1,000 residents)
Conclusion
Finding a safe and affordable place to call home is a top priority for individuals and families, who want to have a better quality of life and fewer worries. While there are many factors to consider when choosing a new place to live, safety and affordability are two of the most important for most people. Having those makes it possible to balance finances better, save more and have a better quality of life with less stress involved in day-to-day existence. The good thing is, you have to sacrifice neither your bank account nor your peace of mind because plenty of cities in the USA offer both. We hope this article helped with the daunting task of analyzing all the data and narrowing down your search. Putting safety and affordability at the top of your priority list can provide a lifestyle that offers both comfort and security and contribute to a solid basis for a fulfilling life with less worrying. In the end, isn’t that what we all want?
