Americans seeking safe, affordable cities to raise kids will find the most cities with modest cost-of-living expenses are based in Southern and Midwest states. Texas is home to 19 cities that check off these boxes, the most out of any state, according to a new GOBankingRates study.
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GOBankingRates analyzed cities with populations of at least 100,000 to determine which are the safest and most affordable for a family of four. Families of four are defined as a married couple with children: the oldest child age 6 to 17, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. Key factors sourced and calculated include each city’s household median income, the property and violent crime rates per 1,000 residents, the average value of a single-family home and the annual cost of living. Calculations for the leftover savings after the cost of living were determined using the median household income and the total cost of living.
Key Findings
Fishers, Indiana, ranked as the safest and most affordable city for a family of four. The annual cost of living is $64,924, with a property crime rate of 6.09 and a 0.99 violent crime rate per 1,000 residents.
Nineteen Texas cities ranked in the top 50, the most out of any state. These cities include Sugar Land (#2), League City (#3), Allen (#6), McKinney (#7), Frisco (#8), Pearland (#13), Carrollton (#20), Grand Prairie (#24), Round Rock (#25), Richardson (#26), Plano (#29), Midland (#34), College Station (#35), Odessa (#36), Lewisville (#41), Laredo (#43), Garland (#46), Denton (#49) and Edinburg (#50).
The greatest number of safe and affordable cities is in the South, where 23 cities total, nearly half of the rankings. The second-highest region to rank is the Midwest, with 13 cities altogether.
Surprisingly, no cities in Florida cracked the top 50 for affordability and safety.
Ranked from first to 50th, here are the safest, most affordable cities for a family of four.
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1. Fishers, Indiana
Household median income: $128,141
Single family home average value: $444,417
Average annual cost of living: $64,924
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 6.09
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.99
Leftover savings after cost of living: $63,217
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2. Sugar Land, Texas
Household median income: $137,511
Single family home average value: $449,949
Average annual cost of living: $64,633
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 12.88
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.73
Leftover savings after cost of living: $72,878
3. League City, Texas
Household median income: $119,870
Single family home average value: $373,532
Average annual cost of living: $57,131
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 12.19
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.14
Leftover savings after cost of living: $62,739
4. Naperville, Illinois
Household median income: $150,937
Single family home average value: $610,926
Average annual cost of living: $79,991
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 8.58
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.64
Leftover savings after cost of living: $70,946
5. Carmel, Indiana
Household median income: $134,602
Single family home average value: $560,332
Average annual cost of living: $72,855
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 8.35
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.58
Leftover savings after cost of living: $61,747
6. Allen, Texas
Household median income: $129,130
Single family home average value: $517,824
Average annual cost of living: $68,647
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 8.23
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.12
Leftover savings after cost of living: $60,483
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7. McKinney, Texas
Household median income: $120,273
Single family home average value: $515,466
Average annual cost of living: $69,009
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 9.07
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.05
Leftover savings after cost of living: $51,264
8. Frisco, Texas
Household median income: $146,158
Single family home average value: $684,708
Average annual cost of living: $83,717
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 13.57
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.86
Leftover savings after cost of living: $62,441
9. Huntsville, Alabama
Household median income: $70,778
Single family home average value: $276,735
Average annual cost of living: $52,894
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 7.05
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.30
Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,884
10. Olathe, Kansas
Household median income: $112,232
Single family home average value: $407,368
Average annual cost of living: $62,234
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 11.47
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.34
Leftover savings after cost of living: $49,998
11. Elgin, Illinois
Household median income: $88,316
Single family home average value: $321,374
Average annual cost of living: $55,726
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 8.83
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.24
Leftover savings after cost of living: $32,590
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12. Concord, North Carolina
Household median income: $84,752
Single family home average value: $380,202
Average annual cost of living: $59,241
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 9.79
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.12
Leftover savings after cost of living: $25,511
13. Pearland, Texas
Household median income: $112,470
Single family home average value: $383,029
Average annual cost of living: $66,446
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 16.69
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.06
Leftover savings after cost of living: $46,024
14. Meridian, Idaho
Household median income: $98,686
Single family home average value: $532,485
Average annual cost of living: $69,631
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 4.95
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.65
Leftover savings after cost of living: $29,055
15. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Household median income: $85,220
Single family home average value: $278,843
Average annual cost of living: $53,037
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 13.55
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.05
Leftover savings after cost of living: $32,183
16. Rochester, Minnesota
Household median income: $87,767
Single family home average value: $335,990
Average annual cost of living: $55,228
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 15.92
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.62
Leftover savings after cost of living: $32,539
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17. Aurora, Illinois
Household median income: $90,109
Single family home average value: $309,099
Average annual cost of living: $54,759
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 10.94
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 3.11
Leftover savings after cost of living: $35,350
18. Sterling Heights, Michigan
Household median income: $78,429
Single family home average value: $311,142
Average annual cost of living: $57,496
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 11.11
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.68
Leftover savings after cost of living: $20,933
19. Joliet, Illinois
Household median income: $88,026
Single family home average value: $251,139
Average annual cost of living: $51,099
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 10.02
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 4.06
Leftover savings after cost of living: $36,927
20. Carrollton, Texas
Household median income: $99,115
Single family home average value: $424,195
Average annual cost of living: $64,947
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 15.05
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.69
Leftover savings after cost of living: $34,168
21. Elk Grove, California
Household median income: $122,229
Single family home average value: $657,469
Average annual cost of living: $79,258
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 12.03
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.87
Leftover savings after cost of living: $42,971
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22. Independence, Missouri
Household median income: $59,480
Single family home average value: $198,416
Average annual cost of living: $47,387
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 13.27
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.01
Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,093
23. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Household median income: $90,685
Single family home average value: $422,360
Average annual cost of living: $64,775
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 16.56
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 0.95
Leftover savings after cost of living: $25,910
24. Grand Prairie, Texas
Household median income: $78,889
Single family home average value: $322,783
Average annual cost of living: $55,548
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 16.03
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.88
Leftover savings after cost of living: $23,341
25. Round Rock, Texas
Household median income: $97,187
Single family home average value: $436,850
Average annual cost of living: $61,848
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 21.56
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.38
Leftover savings after cost of living: $35,339
26. Richardson, Texas
Household median income: $96,257
Single family home average value: $458,869
Average annual cost of living: $64,106
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 20.21
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.25
Leftover savings after cost of living: $32,151
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27. Goodyear, Arizona
Household median income: $101,814
Single family home average value: $479,790
Average annual cost of living: $69,309
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 16.39
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.59
Leftover savings after cost of living: $32,505
28. Chandler, Arizona
Household median income: $103,691
Single family home average value: $540,275
Average annual cost of living: $72,598
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 14.44
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.74
Leftover savings after cost of living: $31,093
29. Plano, Texas
Household median income: $108,649
Single family home average value: $524,436
Average annual cost of living: $74,397
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 16.63
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.61
Leftover savings after cost of living: $34,252
30. Clovis, California
Household median income: $100,360
Single family home average value: $522,467
Average annual cost of living: $65,719
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 17.68
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.33
Leftover savings after cost of living: $34,641
31. Surprise, Arizona
Household median income: $93,371
Single family home average value: $433,856
Average annual cost of living: $76,329
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 12.49
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.00
Leftover savings after cost of living: $17,042
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32. Murrieta, California
Household median income: $109,780
Single family home average value: $702,517
Average annual cost of living: $81,385
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 12.20
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.66
Leftover savings after cost of living: $28,395
33. Overland Park, Kansas
Household median income: $103,838
Single family home average value: $456,137
Average annual cost of living: $65,782
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 22.47
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.03
Leftover savings after cost of living: $38,056
34. Midland, Texas
Household median income: $91,169
Single family home average value: $319,514
Average annual cost of living: $52,969
Property crime rate (per 1000): 18.91
Violent crime rate (per 1000): 4.30
Leftover savings after cost of living: $38,200
35. College Station, Texas
Household median income: $51,776
Single family home average value: $358,185
Average annual cost of living: $56,138
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 13.35
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.59
Leftover savings after cost of living: ($4,362)
36. Odessa, Texas
Household median income: $73,030
Single family home average value: $241,720
Average annual cost of living: $48,341
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 17.83
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 3.94
Leftover savings after cost of living: $24,689
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37. Nampa, Idaho
Household median income: $72,122
Single family home average value: $408,137
Average annual cost of living: $60,312
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 8.53
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 3.65
Leftover savings after cost of living: $11,810
38. Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Household median income: $85,755
Single family home average value: $355,693
Average annual cost of living: $57,380
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 14.90
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 4.12
Leftover savings after cost of living: $28,375
39. Peoria, Arizona
Household median income: $93,403
Single family home average value: $498,304
Average annual cost of living: $73,975
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 12.93
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.12
Leftover savings after cost of living: $19,428
40. Centennial, Colorado
Household median income: $128,167
Single family home average value: $683,685
Average annual cost of living: $83,560
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 19.49
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.13
Leftover savings after cost of living: $44,607
41. Lewisville, Texas
Household median income: $85,002
Single family home average value: $408,339
Average annual cost of living: $63,535
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 18.11
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.26
Leftover savings after cost of living: $21,467
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42. Simi Valley, California
Household median income: $117,703
Single family home average value: $875,320
Average annual cost of living: $95,187
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 9.70
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.22
Leftover savings after cost of living: $22,516
43. Laredo, Texas
Household median income: $63,264
Single family home average value: $214,370
Average annual cost of living: $47,904
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 13.67
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 4.26
Leftover savings after cost of living: $15,360
44. Green Bay, Wisconsin
Household median income: $62,546
Single family home average value: $263,178
Average annual cost of living: $49,528
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 15.29
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 3.87
Leftover savings after cost of living: $13,018
45. Menifee, California
Household median income: $89,183
Single family home average value: $589,971
Average annual cost of living: $76,631
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 11.69
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.94
Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,552
46. Garland, Texas
Household median income: $74,717
Single family home average value: $300,610
Average annual cost of living: $54,516
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 23.87
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.29
Leftover savings after cost of living: $20,201
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47. Santa Clarita, California
Household median income: $119,926
Single family home average value: $860,702
Average annual cost of living: $92,722
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 12.23
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 1.78
Leftover savings after cost of living: $27,204
48. Fort Wayne, Indiana
Household median income: $60,293
Single family home average value: $235,184
Average annual cost of living: $47,357
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 23.52
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.71
Leftover savings after cost of living: $12,936
49. Denton, Texas
Household median income: $73,719
Single family home average value: $366,076
Average annual cost of living: $56,847
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 21.87
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.47
Leftover savings after cost of living: $16,872
50. Edinburg, Texas
Household median income: $57,789
Single family home average value: $212,303
Average annual cost of living: $47,036
Property crime rate (per 1,000): 21.81
Violent crime rate (per 1,000): 2.99
Leftover savings after cost of living: $10,753
Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities with at least 100,000 population to find the safest and most affordable places for a family of four. For each city, the household median income was sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Using the total population as well as the number of property crimes and violent crimes reported by city, as sourced from the FBI’s 2023 Crime in the U.S. report, the [1] property crime rate per 1,000 residents and the [2] violent crime rate per 1,000 residents was calculated. Cost of living was sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces, expenditure costs for a family of four (oldest child 6 to 17) were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, average home value was sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for March 2025 and the average mortgage was calculated using the Federal Reserve Economic Data. Using the median household income and the total cost of living, the [4] leftover savings for a median household income was calculated. The [1] property crime rate per 1,000 was scored and weighted at 1.00, the [2] violent crime rate per 1,000 was scored and weighted at 1.00, the [3] total cost of living was scored and weighted at 1.00, and the [4] leftover savings from median household income was scored and weighted at 1.00. All the scores were summed and sorted to show the safest and most affordable city for a family of four. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 29, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 50 Safest, Most Affordable Cities for a Family of Four
