Just came across an interesting analysis on safe and inexpensive places to live in the US, and some of the findings are pretty surprising. Turns out if you're looking for towns that combine low crime with affordable living costs, you've got more options than you might think—and they're not where you'd expect.

The research looked at 150 of the nation's safest cities and ranked them by total cost of living. What stood out most? Ohio absolutely dominates the list. Seven out of the top 15 cheapest and safest communities are in Ohio alone. New Philadelphia leads the pack with a violent crime rate of just 0.69 per 1,000 people and an annual cost of living around $35,549. Other Ohio standouts include Berea, Mount Vernon, and Hamilton—all offering that rare combo of security and affordability.

Beyond Ohio, there are solid options scattered across the Midwest and parts of the South. San Elizario, Texas has an incredibly low violent crime rate (0.10 per 1,000) with home values under $170k. New Ulm, Minnesota scores high on livability (82) while staying inexpensive. If you want safe and inexpensive places to live with bigger communities, Columbus, Indiana and Trenton, Michigan offer more population with still-reasonable costs and strong safety metrics.

The data factored in FBI crime statistics, census data, and housing costs—all current through early 2025. It's a solid resource if you're actually considering a move and want to find towns where your money stretches further without compromising on safety. The methodology seems thorough, which makes the Ohio concentration even more interesting as a pattern.