Where To Find the Safest Cities on the East Coast Without Sacrificing Affordability

When considering a move to the East Coast, many people assume they must choose between affordability and safety—or accept living in overcrowded, expensive metros like Boston and New York. However, this assumption doesn’t hold true. Research reveals numerous communities across the East Coast that combine strong security metrics with surprisingly low living expenses, making them attractive options for those seeking quality of life without excessive costs.

To identify which safest cities on the east coast offer the best combination of safety and value, GOBankingRates conducted a comprehensive analysis examining population demographics, violent crime statistics, property crime rates, livability scores, and regional cost data including housing, groceries, healthcare, utilities, and transportation expenses. Information was collected from authoritative sources including the FBI’s annual crime reports, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Zillow’s rental database, AreaVibes’ community metrics, and Sperling’s Best Places rankings.

A State-by-State Look at the Safest Cities Offering Genuine Affordability

North Carolina emerges as the dominant region, with five of the ten safest cities on the east coast appearing on this rankings list. This concentration reflects the state’s consistent balance of reasonable housing costs, solid employment opportunities, and community development that prioritizes resident safety and neighborhood quality.

Virginia and Florida complete the picture with strong representatives, each offering distinct advantages for those prioritizing both security and budget-consciousness. The combination of factors—from neighborhood watch programs to community investment—creates the foundation for these safest cities’ success.

Virginia Communities: Combining Historic Charm With Modern Safety

Blacksburg stands out as a security leader, boasting the lowest violent crime rate among all cities analyzed at 43.72 per 100,000 residents, paired with the lowest property crime rate at 581.43 per 100,000. The community of 45,749 delivers a remarkable livability score of 88, among the nation’s highest. Monthly living expenses total $3,983.73, with particularly favorable transportation costs reducing the overall burden.

Staunton offers the most budget-friendly option of all safest cities analyzed. With average monthly costs of just $3,287.52, the city achieves this through remarkably low rent averaging $1,485.83 and minimal miscellaneous expenses of $1,801.69 monthly. Despite these advantages, its violent crime rate of 140.56 per 100,000 remains well below national averages, though it’s the highest among the top ten selections.

North Carolina’s Competitive Advantage in the Safest Cities Category

Five North Carolina communities successfully compete among the safest cities on the east coast, demonstrating the state’s reliable appeal for security-conscious residents.

Cary represents the pinnacle when evaluating the complete package of safety and affordability. The city of 178,600 achieves a livability index of 90—among the nation’s elite. Both violent crime at well-below-average rates and property crime follow similar patterns, making it exceptionally secure. Average rent of $1,820.71 keeps monthly costs at just $3,736.10.

Apex complements Cary’s appeal, delivering a livability score of 87 with violent crime at only 54.53 per 100,000. The city of 66,024 maintains average rents of $2,093.71 within a monthly budget of $4,031.20.

Wake Forest delivers strong livability metrics at 84, with property crime rates at 1,043.11 per 100,000 (totaling 536 incidents across 51,385 residents over twelve months). Monthly housing averages $1,906.96 within a total budget of $3,894.89.

Concord serves as a springboard into North Carolina’s affordable markets, featuring a livability index of 79, average rents of $1,838.55, and monthly expenses reaching $3,732.78 for a population of 109,660.

Holly Springs rounds out the state’s representatives with the highest livability score among North Carolina entries at 85. Residents enjoy a violent crime rate of just 66.07 per 100,000 (30 incidents among 45,406 residents), though monthly costs reach $4,153.58—the highest on this entire list—primarily due to average rents of $2,203.86.

Florida and Pennsylvania: Regional Alternatives

Port Orange, Florida attracts those seeking warmer climates without sacrificing safety principles. The community of 64,037 achieves an 82 livability index alongside a remarkably low crime rate of 45.29 per 100,000 residents (just 29 violent incidents annually). Average rent of $2,049.77 contributes to monthly expenses of $3,999.20, with notably minimal miscellaneous costs at $75.51.

Kingston, Pennsylvania offers small-town appeal with extraordinary affordability. The population of 14,232 reported just twelve violent crimes and 207 property crimes over the measured period, establishing an 80 livability index. The exceptionally low average rent of $1,341.64 monthly produces a total budget of $3,277.88.

Maine’s Quality-of-Life Alternative

Brunswick, Maine appeals to those willing to invest slightly more for superior livability conditions. The city of 21,888 boasts an 87 livability score—rivaling top performers nationwide. Healthcare proves particularly affordable, while violent crime remains minimal at sixteen incidents annually. Monthly rent averages $2,116.67 within a $4,020.43 total budget.

Understanding the Data Behind These Safest Cities

The ranking of these safest cities on the east coast involved sophisticated analysis across multiple variables. Crime statistics from the FBI’s annual reports were standardized per 100,000 residents for accurate comparison. Livability indices from AreaVibes incorporated commute times, available amenities, healthcare quality, and school ratings.

Cost of living indices from Sperling’s Best Places—covering groceries, healthcare, utilities, and transportation—were multiplied by national averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. These calculations determined average expenditures for each city. Combined with Zillow rental data, researchers calculated total monthly living costs.

The analysis applied weighted scoring: property crime rates (1.50 weight), violent crime rates (1.50 weight), average rent (1.25 weight), monthly expenditure costs (1.25 weight), and livability indices (1.00 weight). All scores were combined and sorted to establish this ranking of the safest cities on the east coast offering optimal affordability.

All data reflects conditions as of October 2023, providing a reliable snapshot for comparison purposes.

Making Your Decision

Whether prioritizing the safest cities on the east coast purely for security metrics or seeking the optimal blend with affordability, these ten communities offer documented advantages over typical East Coast alternatives. North Carolina’s concentration in this ranking reflects genuine economic and community development advantages, while Virginia’s standouts—particularly Blacksburg—deliver uncompromised safety standards. The existence of such accessible, secure options challenges the conventional wisdom that East Coast living demands either significant financial commitment or acceptance of compromise on personal security.