Study finds Madison, Wisconsin, most secure city to live in

For homeowners who want security, packing up your belongings, hiring a moving truck and heading to Madison, Wisconsin, might help, as the city was named the most secure large metropolitan area to live in last year, according to a recent annual Farmers Insurance study.

The report states Olympia, Washington, is the most secure mid-size city in which to reside, and Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington, tied for the most secure small town.

Madison reportedly moved up two spots in the rankings from 2009's study, while Lewiston and Clarkston repeated as the most secure small towns. Olympia was back on top as the most secure mid-size community after winning the top honor in 2007 and 2008.

The rankings are based on several community traits, such as crime statistics, extreme weather conditions, potential risk of natural disasters, possible terrorist threats and housing depreciation.

According to Dane County Market, the average sales price for Madison residential properties in 2010 was $252,848, a 3.1 percent increase from 2009. The median home sales price last year was $222,000, which equates to a 1.8 percent rise from the previous year.

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