This Midwestern Town Was Just Named the Cheapest and Safest Place to Live in the U.S.

"Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The study found that the annual cost of living in this small town, also known as the "Gateway to the Ozarks," is $32,941, while the median household income is $42,035. Poplar Bluff's violent crime rate is 0.372, and its property crime rate is 2.111 per 1,000 residents. According to Redfin, the median home price here is just under $142,000, which is about $281,000 below the national median."

"MoneyLion noted that Midwestern cities dominated the ranking, accounting for 31 of the study's 50 destinations. Four of the top 10 communities are located in Indiana, with Huntington at No. 2, Bedford at No. 4, Yorktown at No 8, and Auburn at No. 10. Ohio mirrored those results and also ranked four towns among the first 10."

"Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania (No. 5), is the East Coast's most affordable and safest place to live, with an annual cost of living of $36,640, a violent crime rate of 0.869, and a property crime rate of 2.347. North Augusta, South Carolina (No. 13), is the top result for the South, with Brandon, Mississippi (No. 15) following close behind."

MoneyLion analyzed FBI crime data and cost of living metrics for communities with populations exceeding 10,000 to identify the safest and most affordable places to live. Poplar Bluff, Missouri emerged as the top destination, featuring a low annual cost of living of $32,941, median household income of $42,035, and median home prices approximately $281,000 below the national average. The town maintains low violent and property crime rates at 0.372 and 2.111 per 1,000 residents respectively. Midwestern cities dominated the rankings, with 31 of the 50 top destinations located in the region. Indiana and Ohio each contributed four communities to the top 10 list. Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania ranked as the East Coast's most affordable and safest option, while North Augusta, South Carolina led Southern communities.

Read at Travel + Leisure