This Chicago Suburb Is The Safest And Most Affordable City In The U.S.: Ranking

ELGIN, IL — Elgin came in at No. 1 on a recent ranking of America’s safest and most affordable cities by GOBankingRates.

The personal finance website used cost of living and crime rate averages to determine the ranking.

“Whether you’re looking for vibrant cultural scenes, strong job markets, excellent schools or outdoor recreational opportunities, these cities provide a safe and affordable environment to call home,” according to GOBankingRates.

Elgin came out on top with an average household mortgage of $1,840 and a total monthly cost of living of $4,008, according to the website, which added that the city had 851 property crimes and 215 violent crimes in 2022. Cary, North Carolina, was second in the ranking and Gilbert, Arizona, was third.

The only other Illinois community on the list of 50 cities was Joliet, which ranked 17th with an average household mortgage of $1,417 and a monthly cost of living of $3,572, as well as 1,534 property crimes and 770 violent crimes, according to GOBankingRates.

View the full list from GOBankingRates.