Cities along the West Coast have seen an increase in homelessness, an increase in crime and a staggering increase in real estate costs in recent years.
But believe it or not, there are still numerous metropolises in Oregon and Washington that are safe and affordable for those looking to relocate.
GOBankingRates analyzed cities across these states, looking at livability, rental costs and violent crime rates to come up with a list of the best places to live on a budget.
Topping the list was Pullman, Washington: population 31,972.
According to the personal finance site, the city “located in the far east of the state near the Idaho border” boasts a low violent crime rate of 0.9 per 1,000 residents.
The average cost of rent and utilities in the beautiful city is a reasonable $3,126.
Pullman boasts a regional airport and an art museum, and is located just 8 miles from the University of Idaho, which helps serve the local economy.
Second on the GOBankingRates list was Liberty Lake, also located in Washington.
Much smaller, with a population of 12,026, the city has a slightly higher violent crime rate of 2.2 per 1,000 residents. Rent and expenses are also slightly higher, coming in at $3,468.
Liberty Lake is just 16 miles east of Spokane, Washington’s second largest city, which means job opportunities are more plentiful than in other, more remote parts of the state.
Rounding out the top three safe and affordable metropolises was Central Point, Oregon.
Not far north of the California border, the small town of 19,123 is surrounded by rolling green hills and is close to ski resorts and national parks.
Vineyards also covers the city, where violent crime is 1.4 per 1,000 residents and rent and other costs total $3,818.
Cities in California were also analyzed by experts, but they did not make the list of the safest and most affordable places on the West Coast.
The Golden State is known for being one of the most expensive states in the country.
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