Not every city in the United States is an ideal place to live, and data can help explain why. High crime rates and struggling job markets mean that these places face challenges that make life tougher for their residents.
While every city has its charms, these issues often overshadow the positives. This list looks at 20 cities across America where data shows significant hurdles – impacting the quality of life for those who call these places home.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis frequently tops lists of dangerous cities, and for good reason. The city’s violent crime rate is a staggering 2,420 incidents per 100,000 residents, far above the national average. Residents also deal with an unemployment rate of 8.6%, which makes finding stable work a challenge. Median household income sits at $48,090, falling behind many cities of similar size.
On top of this, nearly 25% of the population lives below the poverty line, creating widespread economic struggles. Despite efforts to improve, Memphis continues to face significant obstacles that impact daily life.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham’s crime rates are a major concern, with residents facing a 1 in 15 chance of being robbed each year. These statistics overshadow some of the city’s other challenges, like its high unemployment rate and persistent poverty.
Roughly 22% of residents live below the poverty line, and opportunities for upward mobility are limited.
Detroit, Michigan
The violent crime rate in Detroit is 23 incidents per 1,000 residents, leaving people with a 1 in 43 chance of being a victim. Economically, Detroit continues to face hurdles, with a median household income of just $36,962. Over 30% of the population lives below the poverty line, reflecting widespread economic hardship.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland’s challenges start with its high violent crime rate of 17.1 incidents per 1,000 residents, leaving a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim.
About 33% of Cleveland residents live below the poverty line, a figure that reflects the city’s ongoing financial struggles.
Public schools are often underfunded, and affordable housing is in short supply, making it tough for families to thrive.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is known for its historic landmarks, but it also has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country. Residents face significant safety concerns, with a rate of 20 incidents per 1,000 people. On top of this, St. Louis struggles with economic challenges, including an unemployment rate of 6.9%. The median household income is $45,782, which is lower than the national average, and roughly 23% of the population lives in poverty. Despite its cultural contributions, the city’s challenges make it a tough place for many to live.
Stockton, California
Unemployment rates in Stockton hover above the national average, making it difficult for residents to find stable work. Combined with rising housing costs, these factors put Stockton on this list of challenging places to live.
Although the city has made efforts to improve its image, data shows it still faces serious problems. The city’s violent crime rate is 13.3 per 1,000 residents, leaving many concerned about safety.
Baltimore, Maryland
Beyond safety concerns, Baltimore struggles financially, with a poverty rate of over 20%. The median household income is $52,164, and unemployment is a persistent problem in many neighborhoods. Public schools often lack the funding and resources they need, creating barriers for children in the area.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque’s crime rate makes it one of the less desirable places to live in New Mexico. The violent crime rate is 13.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, which raises safety concerns for families. Unemployment and poverty also create hurdles, with many residents struggling to make ends meet.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Unemployment rates in Shreveport remain elevated, and the city’s poverty rate of 24% reflects the economic struggles faced by many families. Education and healthcare access are also limited, adding to the city’s challenges.
Furthermore, the city has a violent crime rate of 15.7 incidents per 1,000 people, which is higher than average.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Little Rock has a violent crime rate of 14.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, which leaves many feeling unsafe in their communities. Financial challenges are also prominent, with an unemployment rate above the national average and a median household income of $50,982, which doesn’t stretch far given rising costs. Nearly 20% of the city’s population lives below the poverty line, adding to the financial strain many families face. Despite its role as the state capital, Little Rock continues to struggle with issues that significantly impact quality of life for its residents.
Fresno, California
Fresno has long battled high crime rates and economic difficulties, making it a tough place to live for many. The violent crime rate is 12.5 per 1,000 residents, which is above the national average.
Financially, the city has a median household income of $56,554, which doesn’t go far in California’s high-cost economy. Unemployment remains a challenge, and the poverty rate in Fresno stands at around 22%.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is famous for its vibrant culture, but it’s also notorious for its challenges. The city’s violent crime rate of 14.9 incidents per 1,000 residents raises serious safety concerns.
Economically, the median household income is $43,258, and roughly 24% of the population lives in poverty.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage might seem like an ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts, but the city faces its own set of challenges. The violent crime rate is high for its size, at 11.9 incidents per 1,000 residents. On the financial side, the city’s median household income of $83,810 is higher than many cities, but the cost of living is also significantly higher.
Housing, transportation, and even groceries cost more than the national average, putting a strain on many families. Combined with limited access to healthcare and harsh winters, life in Anchorage can be tough for its residents.
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson has to deal with both financial and safety challenges that make life difficult for its residents. The city’s violent crime rate of 15.3 per 1,000 residents is one of the highest in the state. The unemployment rate is above the national average, and nearly 25% of residents live in poverty.
The city also struggles with infrastructure problems, including a crumbling water system that has left many residents without reliable access to clean drinking water. These ongoing issues have created a challenging environment for families and individuals trying to build a better future in Jackson.
Modesto, California
Modesto is another California city that appears to be in trouble. The violent crime rate is 11.7 incidents per 1,000 residents, and unemployment remains higher than average. The city’s median household income of $63,651 doesn’t always keep pace with the cost of living in the region.
Homelessness is also a growing concern, with many residents struggling to find affordable housing. While Modesto benefits from its location in the Central Valley, its challenges in safety and economic stability place it among the more difficult places to live.
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield has a violent crime rate of 14.8 incidents per 1,000 residents, which makes it one of the more dangerous cities of its size. Money challenges are also common, with the poverty rate hovering around 20%.
The median household income is $40,731, significantly below the national average, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet. Access to quality education and healthcare can also be limited, creating additional barriers for residents.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga might have stunning views and outdoor activities, but it struggles with crime and poverty.
The violent crime rate is 12.3 per 1,000 residents, raising safety concerns for families and individuals. The city has a median household income of $51,932, which falls below the national average.
Roughly 18% of the population lives in poverty, reflecting systemic challenges that affect many residents.
Bakersfield, California
The median household income in Bakersfield is $62,496, and this is modest compared to the cost of living in California, where housing and other essentials are often expensive. The city has been grappling with high crime rates and economic instability for years, and the violent crime rate is 11.2 incidents per 1,000 residents. Furthermore, unemployment remains higher than the national average.
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford has a violent crime rate of 13.8 per 1,000 residents, making it one of the less safe cities in Illinois. The city struggles with an unemployment rate that consistently sits above the national average. The median household income is $45,247, and approximately 20% of residents live below the poverty line.
Fort Smith, Arkansas
While Fort Smith has a rich history, there are issues that make it harder for the city to provide a high quality of life for its community. The city faces economic and safety challenges that impact daily life for its residents, and the violent crime rate is 10.9 per 1,000 people. The poverty rate is around 23%.