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3 North Carolina Cities Among The Safest And Cheapest Places To Live

You may read that headline and think- this is too good to be true. And when you’re looking for a place to call home safety and affordability are almost always…

Background with a modern neighborhood with buildings around the pond. Houses and trees reflected in the tranquil water during beautiful cloudy morning in South Carolina, USA.
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You may read that headline and think- this is too good to be true. And when you're looking for a place to call home safety and affordability are almost always top priorities. Yes, location is great, and space, but if you can't afford it and don't feel safe does the rest matter? And luckily for you according to a study by GoBankingRates, there are 3 North Carolina cities among the safest and cheapest places to live in the South.

And they are places you'll actually want to live! To create this list (of 25 total cities) GOBankingRates analyzed the 10 most populated cities in the following states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Kentucky
  • Lousiana
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • District of Columbia

They calculated the total living costs for each of the 10 most populated cities. Living costs included groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and rent. When it comes to safety the scores were based on "rates of property crime and violent crime per 1,000 residents". So what 3 North Carolina cities are among the safest and cheapest places to live?

Coming in at number two on this list is Cary, NC a suburb of Raleigh, NC. Cary is known to be a little pricey with some very expensive homes in the area so I'm surprised to see it rank this high. But let's take a look at what GoBankingRates found regarding Cary.

  • Average monthly expenditures: $2,049
  • Average rent: $1,732
  • Violent crime rate (per 1,000 residents): 0.8
  • Property crime rate (per 1,000 residents): 11.01
  • Livability score (out of 100): 90

I do agree on safety and the stats back it up for sure. I would expect the cost of living to be a little higher though! The next North Carolina city on the list is Concord which ranked 8th. Not bad at all to have two in the top 10 of this list. Expenses were very comparable to Cary, though crime rates were slightly higher (still very much on the low end, however). And finally, the last North Carolina city on this list is Raleigh at 13th. It's reasonable to expect the cost of living to be similar to Cary. The average rent in Raleigh is slightly lower, though crime rates are higher.

So good news North Carolina if you're looking for a fantastic place to live look no further than our own state. Charleston made the list representing South Carolina, and the safest and cheapest city in the South overall? It was Rogers, Arkansas. I think I'll stick with Cary! You can read the full GoBankingRates study and article here.

These Are the Most Dangerous Cities in America

It's always interesting to see which cities are considered safe and dangerous in the US. It can also be helpful if you're planning a big move. Now, there's a new study out that pinpoints the most dangerous cities in America.

The new study comes from Noradarealestate.com. In it, they say, "From gang violence to high levels of property crime, these cities have earned their spots on the list." Yikes.

Before we get to the crime in each region of the country, let's look at some of the No. 1s in this study. According to Noradarealestate.com, the "FBI's most dangerous city" in the West is Stockton, California. In the Midwest, it's St. Louis, Missouri. Then, in the South, it's Baltimore, Maryland; and in the Northeast, it's Hartford, Connecticut. Noradarealestate.com notes that even though these cities are dangerous in the report, "each of these cities has also demonstrated resilience and a commitment to addressing these issues through various initiatives and collaborative efforts. By focusing on community engagement, comprehensive strategies, and investment in socio-economic development, these cities can work towards creating safer, more inclusive, and prosperous communities for all residents." So, it's not all dismal. There is definitely hope.

So, what's the most dangerous city in America? Detroit. "The violent crime index, encompassing homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults, is alarmingly high," the study states. "The prevalence of guns and gang activity further exacerbates the issue, making Detroit a concerning place in terms of personal safety." That said, I love Detroit, and even though it's good to see which cities are trending up and down in terms of crime, remember that every city has its good and bad areas. So, don't write these towns off your list because of one study. Find the full study from Noradarealestate.com here.

Check out the most dangerous cities in America by region below, via the latest FBI data.

FBI's Most Dangerous Cities in the West

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Stockton, California, with a population of 308,348. Other cities in the top five include San Bernardino, California; Oakland, California; Anchorage, Alaska; and Pueblo, Colorado. Find the full FBI data here.

FBI's Most Dangerous Cities in the South

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Baltimore, Maryland. Other cities in the top five include Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; Nashville, Tennessee; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Find the full FBI data here.

FBI's Most Dangerous Cities in the Midwest

No. 1 on the FBI's list is St. Louis, Missouri. Other cities in the top five include Kansas City, Missouri; Rockford, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Find the full FBI data here.

FBI's Most Dangerous Cities in the Northeast

No. 1 on the FBI's list is Hartford, Connecticut. Other cities in the top five include Buffalo, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Rochester, New York; and Bridgeport, Connecticut. Find the full FBI data here.

Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.