Cabarrus Today

Concord, North Carolina, has been recognized as one of the safest and most affordable cities in the South, ranking eighth on a list compiled by GOBankingRates. According to the report, the city boasts an average monthly expenditure of $2,021, with an average rent of $1,790. The violent crime rate per 1,000 residents stands at 1.06, while the property crime rate per 1,000 residents is reported at 9.82. Concord also received a livability score of 80 out of 100.

Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes expressed pride in the city's recognition, attributing it to the hard work of law enforcement and the collaboration with other public safety entities and city departments. In his words, "Our officers do a great job building relationships with the community and providing excellent service."

Mayor Bill Dusch echoed Chief Hughes' sentiments, emphasizing the importance of safety and affordability in attracting families and businesses to the area. He stated, "Concord continues to be recognized as one of the best places to live, work, and play. It’s an honor to be recognized and receive confirmation that our intentional efforts and the hard work of our public safety professionals are having an impact."

The methodology used by GOBankingRates to assess the cities included calculating total living costs and safety scores based on property and violent crime rates. To be considered for the rankings, cities needed to achieve a livability score of 75 or higher.

Apart from Concord, two other North Carolina cities featured in the list were Cary, ranking second, and Raleigh, ranking thirteenth. Cary, a Raleigh suburb, boasts a livability score of 90, while Raleigh scored 84 on the livability scale.

The top 10 safest and most affordable cities in the South, according to GOBankingRates, include Rogers and Bentonville in Arkansas, Covington and Georgetown in Kentucky, Huntsville and Hoover in Alabama, Concord in North Carolina, Plano in Texas, and Edmond in Oklahoma.

GOBankingRates analyzed cities across several states to determine the rankings, focusing on factors such as cost of living indices, average rent costs, and crime rates. The report underscores the significance of safety and affordability in shaping the desirability of cities for residents and businesses alike.