BEDFORD — A new national study has confirmed what many Lawrence County residents have long known: Bedford offers a high quality of life without the high price tag.
According to a 2026 research report by MoneyLion, Bedford has been ranked the No. 4 cheapest and safest place to live in the United States. The study analyzed hundreds of American cities with populations over 10,000, filtering for those that successfully balance low crime rates with an annual cost of living under $55,000.
The ranking utilized FBI crime data from the second quarter of 2025 alongside housing and expenditure data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Zillow. Bedford’s high ranking is driven by its remarkable affordability:
- Annual Cost of Living: $34,998
- Violent Crime Rate: 0.505 (per 1,000 residents)
- Property Crime Rate: 2.523 (per 1,000 residents)
- Median Household Income: $50,253
“Bedford proves that peace of mind doesn’t have to break the bank,” noted study author Heather Taylor. “It is one of a handful of Midwestern cities where housing costs and low crime statistics create an ideal environment for families and retirees alike.”
Indiana’s Dominance in the Top 10
Bedford was not the only Indiana community to make the cut. The “Hoosier State” tied with Ohio for the most cities in the top 10, including:
- Huntington (#2)
- Bedford (#4)
- Yorktown (#8)
- Auburn (#10)
Beyond the numbers, Bedford, known as the “Limestone Capital of the World,” is experiencing a period of steady growth. Local officials point to the city’s blend of heritage and industry as a draw for new residents.
Major employers in the defense and manufacturing sectors, such as Naval Support Activity Crane, General Motors, and Heidelberg Materials, provide a stable economic base. Meanwhile, the city’s proximity to natural attractions like Bluespring Caverns, the Hoosier National Forest, and the extensive Milwaukee Trail system adds to the “livability” score that helped secure the high ranking.
The MoneyLion “Cheapest and Safest” list specifically looked for cities where annual mortgage and expenditure costs remained low while public safety remained high. The Midwest dominated the overall list, accounting for 31 of the top 50 safest, most affordable cities in America.
