When choosing a home, affordability and safety are top concerns for most shoppers. But as Chicagoland buyers know, the two do not always go hand in hand. To help, the personal finance site GOBankingRates determined the top 50 areas that boast low crime while maintaining a low cost of living — and Elgin came in at No. 1.
Just an hour outside of Chicago, Elgin reported just 215 violent crimes and 851 violent crimes during 2022, the lowest combined total on the list. Meanwhile, on average, the suburb maintains a $4,008 monthly cost of living, a monthly mortgage cost of $1,840. The median household income is $85,998.
Joliet also made GoBankingRates’ list at No. 17. There, the median household income is slightly lower than Elgin’s, at $84,971, while a monthly mortgage costs $1,427 and the monthly cost of living is $3,572. Crime stats were also low overall, with 1,534 property crimes and 770 violent crimes during 2022.
GOBankingRates’ full list of the top 10 safest and most affordable areas includes:
1. Elgin, Illinois
2. Cary, North Carolina
3. Gilbert, Arizona
4. League City, Texas
5. Rochester, Minnesota
6. Sugar Land, Texas
7. Pearland, Texas
8. Meridian, Idaho
9. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
10. Olathe, Kansas