Thread: Worst Places To Live In USA | Can You Guess The 30 Worst US Cities To Live In?

Can You Guess The 30 Worst US Cities To Live In?

The Top 30 Worst Places to Live in the United States

By Facty Staff Writer
Updated: Jan 28, 2025

With thousands of cities across the country, moving somewhere new can feel like a fresh start. But not every city offers a good quality of life. Some of the worst places to live in the U.S. deal with high crime rates, failing economies, expensive housing, or poor infrastructure.
These bad cities to live in tend to rank low in several areas — from jobs and education to public safety and walkability. If you’re looking to avoid the worst cities in America, here are 30 that come up again and again.

1. Memphis, TN

Residents here have a 1 in 41 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime, making it the most dangerous city to live in. Nearly 7% of its homes and businesses will be in 100-year flood plains within the next 30 years. The historic districts, restaurants, and pockets of southern hospitality may be big pluses in Memphis, but the crime and climate issues are a deterrent.

• Unemployment rate: 4.7% (National median 3.7% )
• Median household income: $41,864 (National median $64,994)
• Walk Score ranking: 35 (car dependent)

2. Houston, TX

Out of 50 cities studied for problematic climate change, Houston landed at the very bottom of the list. The risk of tornadoes and hurricanes will continue to rise. The city's air quality is dismal, with only 41% of days classified as "good" in 2021. Yet, the local government hasn't done much to improve things. Houston also has extensive violent and property crime, which causes significant concerns for residents and local leaders alike.

• Unemployment rate: 4.2%
• Median household income: $53,600
• Walk Score ranking: 47 (car dependent)

3. San Francisco, CA

The City by the Bay is one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. The median income is higher here, but so are the costs for gasoline and utilities, which fall well above the national average. Job growth hovers just above 1%. Renters pay an average of $4,030 per month for a place to live. About 10% of the population lives below the poverty level. As for crime, the city experienced more than 50 murders and nearly 4,000 assaults in 2021.

• Unemployment rate: 4.6%
• Median household income: $119,136
• Walk Score ranking: 89 (very walkable)

4. Mendota, CA

What pushes Mendota to the top of the worst places to live list comes down to an array of issues. Around 38.5% of the population lives below the poverty level, one of the highest rates in the country. Unemployment is high, too. Public school test scores also fall far below the national level.

• Unemployment rate: 5.9%
• Median household income: $36,376
• Walk Score ranking: 75 (very walkable)

5. Anchorage, AK

Anchorage has some of the costliest real estate in Alaska, so it's not the best place for first-time home buyers who are strapped for cash. Crime is also an issue. Statistics show that Anchorage is safer than only 5% of cities in the nation, making it one of the most dangerous places to live in the U.S. Property crimes and motor vehicle thefts make up the majority of crimes, but rates rivaled those of much larger American cities.

• Unemployment rate: 4.4%
• Median household income: $84,813
• Walk Score ranking: 31 (car dependent)

6. Penns Grove, NJ

According to a 2021 study, New Jersey had an outbound percentage of 71%, which put it at the top of the list for the number of residents lost to other states. Penns Grove is a small New Jersey borough with big problems. Poverty rates are at 37.7%, average salaries are low, and unemployment rates are well above the national average. Despite its small population, residents have a 1:91 chance of experiencing a violent crime and a 1:24 chance of being the victim of a property crime.

• Unemployment rate: 4.8%
• Median household income: $32,361
• Walk Score ranking: 64 (somewhat walkable)

7. Albuquerque, NM

Although the cost of living in Albuquerque is a bit below the national average, the property taxes here are the highest in the state. Home prices exceed the national average, but buyers get less for their hard-earned money. About 16% of residents live below the poverty level. The biggest problem in Albuquerque is crime. An uptick in murders in 2022 has led this city to come under serious scrutiny by the FBI.

• Unemployment rate: 3.8%
• Median household income: $53,936
• Walk Score ranking: 43 (car dependent)

8. New York City, NY

The Big Apple may have a lot of amenities to offer, but it's also one of the country's most expensive places to live. The average rent is just over $3600 per month. While individual salaries may seem higher than those in other American cities, the increased cost of living takes bigger chunks out of paychecks. The percentage of residents living below the poverty level in NYC falls just below 16%.

• Unemployment rate: 3.9%
• Median household income: $89,812
• Walk Score ranking: 88 (very walkable)

9. Corpus Christi, TX

While visitors flock here to hang out on the Gulf Coast beaches, few people want to set up housekeeping in Corpus Christi. Job growth is stagnant, and unemployment is high. One in every 113 people is likely to become a victim of murder, assault, or rape, with the downtown area being especially dangerous. Hurricanes and other dangerous weather events are an ongoing concern for this coastal city.

• Unemployment rate: 5.4%
• Median household income: $57,387
• Walk Score ranking: 40 (car dependent)

10. Idabel, OK

Small-town life doesn't necessarily translate to a safe place to live. Despite its population of fewer than 7000 people, Idabel has a crime index of 1, meaning it is less safe than 99% of other American cities. Murder, rape, and other violent crimes have experienced a significant increase in recent years, up by 146% over the national average. The 31.7% poverty level may be a factor.

• Unemployment rate: 4.4%
• Median household income: $29,175
• Walk Score ranking: 44 (car dependent)