Written by: Madeline Blake
Date:

Moving to another state is a pretty big deal. Although you’re still staying in the same country, you’re still facing a huge change. States, even those right next to each other, can be very different from each other. From the laws regulating driving to the type of food people like to eat to the slang people use, each state is unique. So it’s important to choose wisely when you’re looking for your new home. Ideally, you’ll want to live in one of the most affordable and safe states in America. That way you don’t have to worry about the cost of living or the crime rate. Luckily for you, here at Verified Movers, we have all the important information about all 50 states. So let’s take a look at those you should consider and those you should avoid when looking for an affordable yet safe new home.

2021, a year that’s changed our lives as well as our country

We can all probably agree that both 2020 and 2021 have been pretty crazy so far. And while 2020 was the year of change where some people, as well as states, came out stronger than the rest, 2021 is when the dust finally started to settle a bit. Obviously, every equally as dramatic event would bring about change. That, naturally, also includes how expensive or cheap, safe or unsafe particular places are. And even though states may seem like something inanimate and unmoving, it’s important to know that states, their economies, politics, and constitution are just as alive and as fluid as humans are. After all, states are comprised of people and these people are what dictates how each state operates and presents.

A mother putting a face mask on her daughter.

Since the beginning of 2020, a lot has changed in our lives!

It may seem that the world and the US with it have been standing still. However, the reality is rather different. People have indeed been moving a lot, and in some states more than ever before. While the reasons were various, it is safe to say that all wanted to do something that will better their living conditions.

That said, it’s only natural that people are gravitating towards states and cities that seem safe and affordable. Especially during uncertain and trying times. And while some people were looking for extra safety in peak panic, others were trying to simply make do with what they had. And what many people had since the beginning of the pandemic, really wasn’t much. Now, that things are seemingly starting to look up again, in 2021, it’s normal that things are shifting. But with all these changes happening so quickly, what even are the most affordable and safe states in America right now?

Safety above all: Where can I move and not think twice about walking alone at night?

Who doesn’t want to be safe? Needless to say, almost everyone ranks safety among the top-most priorities in life. That’s why many people will likely be looking to relocate to Maine with one of the tried and tested long distance movers Maine has to offer. Don’t forget that moving safely is also safety. Unfortunately, since the dawn of time, complete safety was never an option. It takes one flyaway rock to hit you in the face and you’re donezo. However, even though life is more often than not pretty uncertain, there are some things you can do to ensure as much safety as possible for yourself and your family. Choosing a safe state to live in is a great example of that. As of right now, the top 10 safest states in the country are:

Even the safest states vary in safety

First of all, as mentioned above, not every city or every neighborhood of every state is equally as safe. And second, there are various forms of crime. Obviously, these states are ranked as the safest overall. So you would be right to expect all of them to have less of all types of crime. And even though that’s mostly true, there are still some variations within the states themselves. But if you’re interested in a more thorough breakdown, here is what you can expect.

A woman walking alone at night freely after she moved to one of the most affordable and safe states in America.

In order to feel completely safe, it’s best to choose a very safe state!

Residential safety is what many people are interested in

Residential safety is very important to most people. Who wants to have their home broken in? Exactly, no one. Luckily, there are many ways you can secure your new home. But there’s only so much you can do if you don’t live in a safe environment. The states with the least property crimes over the last 12 months have been:

Choose a state that’s low in violent crimes

Before you book a move with one of the long distance moving companies Idaho offers, or any other state for that matter, you should check the violent crime rates beforehand. A violent assault is the worst thing that can happen to you or your loved one. Because of that, it’s important to choose a safe state that’s low in violent crimes. The top 5 safest states, when it comes to violent crime, as of right now are:

What states are considered to be the most affordable in 2021?

Now that safety is out of the way, let’s focus on affordability. Unfortunately, many of us took a financial hit over the last two years. Many have recovered, but sadly, many also haven’t. And even if you managed to escape this whole ordeal unscraped, moving can be pretty demanding on the pocket. So it’s only natural that you’d want to move with affordable long distance movers Ohio, for example, prides itself in and also move to an affordable state. But since so much has changed since the beginning of 2021 regarding which American states are the safest and most affordable, how can you decide which state to choose? Here are the most affordable states as of writing this:

It goes without saying that there are a lot of factors that go into the costs of living, as we will further delve into. It is important to note that, when moving, we all have some compromises to make, and these will differ from one person to the next. Some states might be cheaper than others in a certain aspect. However, they also might be more expensive in others. Make sure to take this into consideration before making your decision to move. Some expenses might be more ‘digestible’ for your budget than others. So, try your best to envision what might and might not work for you. Alas, putting it all on paper is one of the most objective routes you can take.

A stack of money, a credit card, and a laptop on a table.

If you move to one of the most affordable and safe states in America, you’ll likely have more money to spend how you please.

Given that the average is, obviously, a 100, all these seem relatively affordable. For example, living in Oklahoma is just as affordable as hiring one of the long distance moving companies Oklahoma has to offer. However, even though these states are obviously pretty affordable, the story doesn’t really end there. Even this “cost of living index” can be further broken down. For example, these states can also be compared to one another based on grocery or housing costs. When it comes to grocery costs, the top 5 most affordable states are:

When it comes to housing, things change a bit, so the top 5 most affordable states when it comes to housing costs end up being:

As mentioned, not all expenses have the same impact on your budget. Grocery costs are something you will experience on a daily basis. On the other hand, if you plan on purchasing a home, housing costs will be a one-hit-wonder. This is something you really ought to consider before your move. And do not forget that moving itself is a costly venture.

Moving to one of the most affordable and safe states in America

Once you decide which state to move to, it’s time to prepare for the actual moving process. You’ll want to start early so you have time to plan everything and prepare properly. Contact one of the top long distance moving companies for assistance to make your relocation to any of the most affordable and safe states in America significantly easier. Then start on the packing! Remember to declutter and get rid of things before you do anything else – that way you’ll have less to pack and your move will cost less too. In order to save some more money, consider using what you already have for packing, instead of purchasing pacing boxes. Use your suitcases, totes, bags and bins to pack your things for the road ahead. Items like t-shirts, socks, and pillowcases can be used as cushioning materials, saving you some additional money.

Finally, don’t forget to do your research, especially if you’re moving something out of the ordinary like a vehicle, a pet, weapons, or something similar. Different states may have different regulations regarding this. It’s important that you stay informed, so as to avoid any unpleasant surprises. In addition, it would be smart to visit your future neighborhood before the move takes place. Especially if you are moving with your kids or with your pet. Finding out where the nearest park, as well as grocery stores and other important places, will do you good in the long run.

The criteria for the most affordable and safe states in America

Moving to another place is by no means a step one takes lightly. As the relocation brings forth many changes in one’s life, including their imminent surroundings, habits, job, school, and virtually everything else, it can be regarded as one of the biggest changes in one’s life. So, when you’re looking to move out of state and choosing where to go, you need to consider some things:

The answers to these questions will inform your choice of the state where you find your new home. But here’s something we can all agree on: we all want to save money and we all want to be safe. This is why the most affordable and safe states in America are where top US movers have the most business. But how do you decide which states fit the bill?

Man going to work in one of the most affordable and safe states in America.

If you’re moving for work, pick a state where you can find a job easily.

What to pay attention to when it comes to affordability

When looking for affordable states to live in, you might be tempted to just look at prices. How much does a new house cost? How much would you be paying for utilities? What is the cost of healthcare, groceries, gas? But simply comparing prices is not enough. When you’re moving state to state, it’s important to know something else: the real cost of living – how far your dollar gets you and how easily you earn one.

When looking for affordable states, then, you have to look at more than just prices. You have to compare earnings and expenditures as well as take into consideration other things that affect your budget like taxes, healthcare, and insurance regulations, veterinary and education costs if you have pets or children, and more.

What to pay attention to when it comes to safety

When we talk about how safe a state is, what we focus on most are crime rates. Looking at the crime rate in a state will give you a pretty good idea of how safe you’d be in it. But it’s important to know what to focus on violent crimes like murder and assault and property crimes like break-ins and robberies. Knowing how common those are will tell you how likely you are to become a victim of them. But keep in mind that not all areas of a state will share the same rate of crime. So once you pick a state, look into more localized crime statistics as well.

Handcuffs.

Crime rates are an important aspect of state safety.

However, low crime rates are not the only thing that signifies safety. Look into how locals rate their police and politicians, what kind of community building is happening (if any), and what kind of legal protections you can expect in the workplace, for example. These things might not affect your physical safety. But you’ll definitely feel better knowing you have some social and legal security as well.

The most affordable states in America

The United States regularly rank among the 20 most expensive world countries to live in. There are definitely good reasons for that. You probably already know of the infamously expensive states like California and New York. But luckily, the states differ a lot among themselves. So while some are very expensive, others are exactly the opposite. If you’re on a budget and looking for a new place to live, here are the ten most affordable states in America in 2020:

If your goal is to save as much money as possible and stretch your paycheck as far as you can, then these are the states you’ll want to consider. As you can see, the difference between some of the states on our list is not that great. Whether you move to Tennessee or South Dakota, for example, is down to personal preference as your money will be worth about the same. But before you let that get you carried away, you should know that the further down the list you go, the bigger the difference becomes. Be that as it may, there’s no doubt about it – hiring Mississippi movers will be a good choice for your wallet.

Grocery store.

Think about how much a dollar is worth in a particular state.

The least affordable states in America

While $50,000 is plenty enough to live on in Arkansas, it will most certainly not be enough in others. So if you’re a budget-minded person and worried about expenses, there are some states you simply should not even consider. Here are the ten most expensive states in America in 2020 that you should stay away from if you’re moving on a budget:

In these ten states, everything from food to housing to childcare could run you thousands of dollars more than in the ten most affordable states in the country. So if your main goal is to save money, then you most likely won’t be needing long distance movers Hawaii or a fur coat to ward off the cold in Alaska.

Person holding burning bills.

If you’re on a budget, don’t choose an expensive state to live in.

The safest states in America

Unfortunately, there appears to be a correlation between less expensive neighborhoods and higher rates of crime. So when you’re looking for a cheap place to live, you might be rightfully concerned about safety. For that reason, you should definitely make it one of your priorities to choose a safe state to move to. Here are the ten safest states in America in 2020 to consider for your relocation if low crime rates are your main priority:

Of course, different areas of these states might be more or less dangerous than the statistics imply. But overall, if you’re looking for safety, you should be getting in touch with interstate movers NH soon!

Person relaxing in their home in one of the Most Affordable and Safe States in America

Feeling safe and comfortable in your new home is important.

The least safe states in America

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and neighborhood. So it’s perfectly understandable if you want to avoid those states where you are more likely to fall victim to acts of violence. With that in mind, here are the ten most dangerous states in America in 2020 that you should avoid moving to:

Unfortunately, as you can see, there is some overlap between the most affordable and the most dangerous states to live in. This can put you in a position of having to prioritize between affordability and safety. However, there is also one easy decision in front of you: since Alaska finds itself among both the most expensive and the most dangerous states, you can scratch that one off your list if affordability and safety are your primary concerns.

Judge's gavel.

High crime rates are enough for most people to avoid a state.

The best of both worlds: the most affordable and safe states in America

Ideally, you want to live in a state that is both affordable and safe. Unfortunately, the least expensive state is not also the least dangerous. Neither is the least dangerous state the least expensive one. But there is a solution: compromise. You can live in a state that is reasonably affordable and reasonably safe and the get the best of both worlds.

So for your consideration here are the safest of the twenty most affordable states:

And here are the most affordable of the twenty safest states:

So there you have it: if you’re looking for the most affordable and safe states in America, odds are you’ll be moving to Kentucky, West Virginia, or Iowa.

It goes without saying that research like this is not only smart when moving, but also recommendable. So, make sure to check back up on this research, as we make sure to update it each year.