Revealed: The 30 Worst American Cities To Live In

30. Fort Smith, Ark.

Image Source / Epic Water FiltersFort Smith is one of the worst places to live in based on a variety of factors including economic opportunities, education, crime, and public health. Only 20% of adults in the city hold a bachelor's degree, significantly lower than the national average of 31.3% and the smallest percentage of any large Arkansas city. Low educational attainment can stifle an area's economic progress and limit citizens' earning potential.The average household in Fort Smith makes $38,051 per year, significantly less than the national median income of $57,617. Apart from Little Rock, Fort Smith has the highest crime rate in Arkansas and one of the highest in the United States. In 2016, there were 808 violent crimes recorded per 100,000 city residents, much more than the state's 551 occurrences per 100,000 and the national rate of 386 incidents per 100,000.

29. Salt Lake City

Image Source /  Conde Naste TravellerThe area's high violent crime rate is one element that detracts from Salt Lake City's (what should be good) quality of life. In 2016, 937 violent crimes were recorded per 100,000 city residents, about four times the state average of 243 per 100,000 Utah residents and more than double the national rate of 386 events per 100,000 American citizens.Salt Lake City's housing costs have also been rapidly growing in recent years, outpacing the region's wage growth, making homes unaffordable for many low-income inhabitants. Despite its high prevalence of violent crime, Salt Lake City has achieved significant economic growth in recent years. Between 2014 and 2016, the city's employment market grew at a quicker rate than the rest of the country.

28. Springfield, Mass.

Image Source / MA.govSpringfield is the only city in Massachusetts to be ranked among the worst places to live in, and one of just three in the whole New England area. Springfield has the highest unemployment rate of any Massachusetts city, at 6.9%, and is significantly above the national average of 4.9%. The city's financial difficulties are exacerbated by the high unemployment rate.Springfield has the greatest poverty rate of any city in the state, with one out of every four inhabitants living in poverty. Springfield, like the majority of the cities on our list, has reasonably priced real estate. The average home is valued $154,300, the lowest median home value in the state and less than half of the state's median home value of $366,900.

27. Oakland

Image Source / SFGATEOakland has the highest median household income of any city on this list, at $68,060 per year, which is greater even than the national median income of $57,617. The city's high salaries, however, are mainly countered by a high cost of living, with goods and services costing around 27% more in Oakland than they do nationally on average. The cost of housing is very high.Oakland's average home is valued approximately $650,000, or roughly ten times the city's median salary. The typical house value in the United States is just 3.6 times the median income. A high prevalence of violent crime can depress property values, but this has not been the case in Oakland. In 2016, the city had the highest rate of violent crime in California, with 1,443 occurrences per 100,000 population.

26. Merced, Calif.

Image Source / Merced Sun StarMerced is one of numerous California cities on our list where unemployment is high. About one out of every ten employees in the city is unemployed, making it the sixth most unemployed city in the United States. The city's high poverty rate may be due to the high unemployment rate. More over one out of every four Merced inhabitants is poor, far higher than the national poverty rate of 14%.Merced is actually an exception to the rule, since most American cities have a large concentration of restaurants, pubs, and entertainment venues within them. The city surprisingly has a somewhat lower-than-average concentration of restaurants and eateries, while the concentration of bars is around half that of the rest of the country.

25. Miami Beach, Fla.

Image Source / World AtlasMiami Beach, one of three cities in Miami-Dade County on this list, is one of the most expensive cities in the country. The typical property value in the city is little under half a million dollars, or roughly nine times the $53,685 median household income. In contrast, the average home in the United States is only worth 3.6 times the median household income.Property values are frequently depressed by high crime rates, but not on Miami Beach. In 2016, there were 1,023 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the city, about three times the national rate. Unlike the majority of the places on this list, Miami Beach has a well-educated populace. In comparison, just 31.3% of individuals in the city hold a bachelor's degree or above.

24. Stockton, Calif.

Image Source / Visit StocktonStockton has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the United States. 8.7% of the city's workforce is unemployed, significantly higher than the national unemployment rate of 4.9 %. The city's low median income is due to its high unemployment rate. The city's average household earns about $49,271 per year, less than three-quarters of the state's median income of $67,739 per year.Because the cost of living in Stockton is quite high, low-income individuals are put under even more financial duress. The cost of goods and services in the city is around 7% more than the national average. The percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree in Stockton is 16.7% and the poverty rate is 17.7%. The median home value in Stockton is $243,700.

23. Daytona Beach, Fla.

Image Source / TourScannerWith a typical yearly family income of about $31,273, Daytona Beach is one of the poorest communities in the country. The city's low median income is most likely owing to a labour shortage. 6.3% of the workforce in Daytona Beach is unemployed, far higher than the national unemployment rate of 4.9%. The median home value in Daytona Beach is $132,300.The city's high crime rate, which may drive away potential employers and small business owners, may be contributing to the lack of jobs. In 2016, there were 1,221 violent crimes and 6,297 property crimes per 100,000 Daytona Beach inhabitants, about three times the national average. The poverty rate in Daytona Beach is 20.1% and the percentage with at least a bachelor’s degree is 21.6%.

22. Charleston, W.Va.

Image Source / PlanetwareDespite the fact that Charleston's median household income of $46,720 is much lower than the national median of $57,617, a dollar goes further in West Virginia's capital city. In Charleston, goods and services are 17% less expensive than they are on a national level. The city's cheap cost of living, on the other hand, is probably symptomatic of its poor appeal as a location to reside.Charleston has high crime rates, with violent and property offences being more than three times as prevalent as they are nationally. The city has some of the worst air quality in the country. Hazardous air quality is reported on roughly 18% of days per year, compared to only 6% on average across the country. The poverty rate in Charleston is 20%.

21. Shreveport, La.

Image Source / Shreveport BossierLouisiana has the sixth highest violent crime rate in the US, with 566 occurrences per 100,000 of the population. Violence is significantly more widespread in Shreveport. In 2016, there were 959 violent offences per 100,000 population, about twice the state average. Poorer communities are more likely to see violence, and a big percentage of Shreveport people are struggling financially.In comparison to 20.2% of the state's population and 14% of the US population, 30.8% of the city's population lives in poverty. Shreveport, like many other cities on this list, is losing inhabitants. Shreveport's population has decreased by 3.7% in the previous five years, despite the fact that the United States' population has increased by 3.7%.

20. Compton, Calif.

Image Source / FlickrMore than one out of every four Compton inhabitants lives in poverty, much above the national poverty rate of 14.0%. The city's poor job market contributes to the high poverty rate. In Compton, 8.2% of employees are jobless, compared to 4.9% of all workers in the United States. The occupations that are available in the city are likely to be low-paying.High-paying employment is generally only available to people with a college education, and just 8.1% of adults in Compton have a bachelor's degree or more, less than a third of the 31.3% of adults in the United States. Compton is no exception to the rule that poor communities have higher crime rates. In 2016, there were roughly 1,158 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the city.

19. Little Rock, Ark.

Image Source / MediumLittle Rock, Arkansas' capital, is the worst city in the state and one of the worst in the country to live in. Little Rock's violent crime rate of 1,533 events per 100,000 citizens is about triple the national violent crime rate of 386 incidents per 100,000, making it one of the most hazardous cities in the country. The high percentage of violent crime in the city may deter some people from migrating or establishing a family there.Despite the fact that the United States' population rose by 7.1 % in the previous decade, Little Rock's population climbed by only 0.2 %. An unusually substantial percentage of the population of Little Rock is college educated, which is likely attributable in part to the concentration of jobs that need higher education that are prevalent in state capitals.

18. Gary, Ind.

Image Source / The GuardianGary, Indiana, is one of the country's most economically devastated cities. One out of every three city dwellers is poor, which is more than double the national poverty rate of 14.0%. Gary is also one of just a few cities in the country where the majority of households earn less than $30,000. The poverty rate in Gary is 33.3% and the percentage of people with a Bachelor’s degree is 11%.The area's decreased real estate values mirror the low earnings. Gary's median house value is under $64,800, making it the city with the lowest median home value in the United States. The financial difficulties are due in part to a poor work market. Gary's unemployment rate of 9.0% is one of the highest in the country, well above the national unemployment average of 4.9%.

17. Pueblo, Colo.

Image Source / Travel LensPueblo is the only city in Colorado to make the list of the worst places to live. The average household makes about $38,380 per year, far and by the lowest median income in the state. Many inhabitants in Pueblo are also facing financial difficulties. The city has the highest poverty rate in Colorado, with nearly one out of every four inhabitants living in poverty.Crime is more common in poor places than in prosperous cities, and Pueblo is no exception. In 2016, there were 980 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, the highest violent crime rate in the state and about treble the rate in Colorado. The median house value in Pueblo is $126,200 and the percentage of people with a Bachelor’s degree is 18.7%.

16. Rockford, Ill.

Image Source / Fortune BuildersThe unemployment rate in Rockford, Illinois, is 7.7%, the highest in the state and much higher than the national unemployment rate of 4.9%. With a violent crime rate of 1,658 occurrences per 100,000 people in 2016, the city is also the most dangerous in the state, more than four times the national violent crime average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.The city's property prices are expected to be impacted by the city's poor employment market and high crime rate. The average home in Rockford is valued $89,200, which is less than half of the state's median home value of $186,500. The percentage of people living in poverty in Rockford is 22.6%, nearly a quarter of inhabitants.

15. Youngstown, Ohio

Image Source / The KeywordYoungstown, Ohio, is one of the most impoverished cities in the country. The city has the third highest poverty rate in the United States, with 38% of the people living in poverty. In addition, Youngstown is the only city in the United States where more than half of all households earn less than $25,000 each year. The city's low property values mirror the city's low earnings.Youngstown has a median house value of $43,300, which is less than a fourth of the national median home value of $205,000. Youngstown, like many other disadvantaged cities, has a high crime rate. In 2016, there were 3,780 property crimes per 100,000 city residents, well above the national rate of 2,451 per 100,000. The percentage of people in Youngstown with a Bachelor’s degree is an astonishing 12%.

14. San Bernardino, Calif.

Image Source / Pensions & InvestmentsSan Bernardino is California's second-worst city to live in, and one of the worst in the nation. The poverty rate of San Bernardino is 29.4%, which is the third highest in the state and more than double the national poverty rate. The dearth of suitable work in the city is most likely to blame for widespread financial difficulty. The median home value is $240,400.7.3% of employees are unemployed, far higher than the statewide unemployment rate of 5.4%. Because of the high concentration of crime, employers and small business owners may be hesitant to operate in the city. In 2016, the city had 1,331 violent crimes per 100,000 population, which was more than three times the statewide rate. The percentage of people who hold a bachelor’s degree is 9.1%.

13. Florence-Graham, Calif.

Image Source / AlchetronThe median household income in Florence-Graham is $34,738 per year, less than half of the average California family income of $67,739 per year. The high cost of living in the city puts additional financial hardship on the city's lower-income people. The cost of goods and services in Florence-Graham is around 37% more than the national average. The poverty rate in Florence-Graham is 31.5%.High-paying employment are frequently only available to individuals with a college degree, and Florence-low Graham's earnings may be due to a scarcity of college-educated workers. Only 4.4% of people in the city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the smallest percentage of any U.S. city and a fraction of the 31.3% national bachelor's degree attainment rate.

12. Homestead, Fla.

Image Source / TripadvisorHomestead is the worst city in Florida and the 14th worst in the country. It is one of three cities in Miami-Dade County that rank among the worst places to live in the country. Homestead's average household makes $32,001 per year, compared to the national median income of $57,617. The city's high cost of living adds to residents' financial burden.In Homestead, goods and services are actually 15% more costly than they are on a national level. Bars, restaurants, and cafés are plentiful in most cities, but Homestead seems to be an exception. For every 100,000 inhabitants, there are fewer than half as many bars and restaurants as there are in the rest of the United States.

11. Hartford, Conn.

Image Source / BIG Language SolutionsIn both Connecticut and the greater New England region, Hartford is the worst city to live in. The average Hartford household makes $36,637 per year, less than half of Connecticut's median income of $73,433. Low-income residents in the city face additional financial hardship since products and services are 17.3% more costly than they are on the national average.The low median income is partly due to the city's poor job situation. 9.4% of employees are unemployed, the highest percentage in New England and nearly double the national unemployment rate of 4.9% in 2016. People may be fleeing Hartford because of the city's dismal economic situation. Hartford's population has decreased by 5% in the previous five years.

10. Milwaukee

Image Source / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ScaledMore than one out of every four Milwaukee residents lives in poverty, which is more than double the state's poverty average of 11.8%. Milwaukee is no exception to the rule that poor cities have greater crime rates than more prosperous cities. For every 100,000 Milwaukee inhabitants, there were 1,546 violent offences.  The median home value in Milwaukee is $114,700.That’s more than five times the statewide violent crime average of 306 per 100,000. Milwaukee's population is dwindling, as it is in practically every Midwestern city on this list. The city's population has decreased by 0.5 % in the previous five years, despite a 3.7 % increase in the national population. The percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree is 23.3%.

9. Baltimore

Image Source / TripadvisorBaltimore has the lowest median yearly household income in Maryland, at $47,350. The high expense of living in the city puts additional hardship on the city's disadvantaged households. The cost of goods and services in Baltimore is around 12% more than the national average. The poverty rate in Baltimore is 21.9% and the median house value is actually $153,500.Long commutes take up valuable personal time and can lower overall quality of life. The typical commute time in Baltimore, a city with some of the country's most crowded streets, is more than half an hour, far longer than in the great majority of American cities. The percentage of Baltimore residents that have at least a bachelor’s degree is 30.8%.

8. Springfield, Mo.

Image Source / Springfield M.GovSpringfield is one of two Missouri cities to make the list of the worst places to live, along with St. Louis. In Springfield, as in St. Louis, crime has a significant negative impact on general quality of life. In 2016, there were 1,345 violent crimes per 100,000 city residents, more than three times the national violent crime rate.In 2016, the city had 8,518 property crimes per 100,000 residents, making it the third highest property crime rate in the United States. A substantial percentage of Springfield citizens are financially disadvantaged. One out of every four city residents is poor, the highest percentage of any significant city in the state. The poverty rate in Springfield is actually 24.4%.

7. Albany, Ga.

Image Source / Travel LensSeveral of the communities on this list are losing citizens, but none are losing them as quickly as Albany, Georgia. Albany's population has decreased by 4.8% in the previous five years, despite a 3.7% increase in the US population. The population decline is presumably due in part to the current economic climate. The median home value in Albany is $88,800.The poverty rate in the city is 32.5%, which is more than double the state's 16% and the national figure of 14%. More jobs in the city would very certainly help to alleviate severe financial distress. Albany has the highest unemployment rate of any Georgia city, with 7.0% of employees unemployed. The percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree is 20.1%.

6. Wilmington, Del.

Image Source / Blank RomeMany people in Wilmington, Delaware, have low salaries and a high cost of living, which lowers their overall quality of life. The median family income in the city is $36,435 per year, significantly below the national median of $57,617, and 27.7% of the city's population lives in poverty, about double the national poverty rate. The median home value in Wilmington is $145,600.Meanwhile, products and services in Wilmington are almost 17% more costly than the national average. Wilmington is also regarded as one of America's most dangerous cities. In 2016, Wilmington had 1,798 violent offences per 100,000 population, which was more than all but four other cities and more than triple the national violent crime rate. The percentage of people living in poverty is 27.7%.

5. Cleveland

Image Source / ATP TourCleveland, one of the poorest cities in the country, has a poverty rate of 35%, which is more than double the national average and greater than all but one other city in the state. Cleveland also has the second highest unemployment rate in the state, at 6.9%. The city is also risky. In 2016, the city had 1,633 violent crimes per 100,000 population.This was more than all but eight other U.S. cities and quadrupled the national violent crime rate. Poverty, a high crime rate, and a gloomy employment market are all possible factors in the population decline. Cleveland's population declined by 2.4% in the recent decade, while the country's population rose by 7.1%. The median home value in Cleveland is $66,800.

4. Memphis

Image Source / The IndependentMany individuals in Memphis suffer from severe financial difficulties and a high crime rate, which lowers their overall quality of life. The poverty rate in the area is 26.9%, the worst in the state and far higher than the national poverty rate of 14%. Memphis, like many other poorer cities in the United States, has a higher crime rate.In 2016, the city had 1,830 violent crimes per 100,000 population, which was greater than all but three other U.S. cities and about five times the equivalent U.S. violent crime rate. The amount of people living in poverty in Memphis is 26.9% and the median home value is $96,800. The percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree is 25.6%.

3. St. Louis

Image Source / Time OutSt. Louis is Missouri's worst city to live in, and the third worst in the US. The city of St. Louis is particularly tough to live in due to a concentration of violence in some areas. In 2016, there were 1,932 violent crimes per 100,000 city residents, the third highest rate of any U.S. city and five times the national average.Economically challenged locations have higher crime rates, and St. Louis is a relatively impoverished city. Residents live in poverty at a rate of 23.8%, more than the majority of U.S. communities and over 10 percentage points higher than the national and statewide poverty rates of 14%. Similar to practically every other Midwestern city.

2. Flint, Mich.

Image Source / FlickrFlint is both Michigan's and the United States' second-worst city to live in. Flint has the greatest poverty rate of any city in the US, with 44.5% of the population living in poverty. A sluggish job market in the city contributes to the city's financial distress. The city's unemployment rate of 9.8% is more than double the national unemployment average of 4.9%.Due to high crime rates and a relatively limited number of college-educated residents, the city may be undesirable to many employers and small business owners. The violent crime rate in Flint is more than quadruple the state's figure of 1,587 occurrences per 100,000 inhabitants. In addition, just 10.5% of city inhabitants hold a bachelor's degree, or roughly a quarter of the population.

1. Detroit

Image Source / The GuardianDetroit, Michigan, the poster child of American post-industrial urban decline, is the country's worst city to live in. After decades of decline, the city today has fewer than 700,000 people, down from 1.8 million during the zenith of U.S. car manufacture in the 1950s. The percentage of people that have at least a bachelor’s degree in Detroit is 14.9%.Detroit is an impoverished, economically devastated city where more than one out of every three citizens live in poverty. With 10.9% of the workforce unemployed, the city has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Detroit is also a risky city. In 2016, there were almost 2,000 violent offences per 100,000 people. The percentage of people living in poverty in Detroit is 35.7%.