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

11. Bessemer, AL

With 26% of residents living below the poverty level, Bessemer has had struggles, including a lack of job growth. Its schools have a low 22% proficiency in reading and math, falling far behind the average proficiencies in schools around the state. Crime rates are high, and if you live here, you have a 1:38 chance of falling victim to a violent crime.

• Unemployment rate: 4.2%
• Median household income: $30,284
• Walk Score ranking: 26 (car dependent)

12. Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee may have experienced robust growth throughout the 1950s, but since then, the Cream City's progress has dwindled to intermittent, small spurts. Lagging job growth may be the problem, but it's more likely to be the increasing rates of violent crime. Low proficiency in test scores in math and reading throughout the Milwaukee public school system are well below statewide numbers.

• Unemployment rate: 5.4%
• Median household income: $43,125
• Walk Score ranking: 62 (somewhat walkable)

13. St. Louis, MO

More than 2.8 million people call St. Louis their home, but when it comes to being safe, the city has developed major problems making it one of the worst places to live. Compared to the rest of the state, violent crime is a major issue here, with one of every 50 people likely to become victims of murder, rape, robbery, or assault. Property crimes are even more prevalent, with 57 crimes occurring per every 1000 residents.

• Unemployment rate: 4.1%
• Median household income: $45,782
• Walk Score ranking: 66 (somewhat walkable)

14. Flint, MI

Most people have heard about Flint's water crisis which started in 2014 and is expected to be resolved by the end of 2022. Today, high unemployment rates, costly utilities, a 37.3% poverty level, and some of the highest crime rates in the nation make it one of the worst places to live in the U.S.

• Unemployment rate: 10.8%
• Median household income: $30,383
• Walk Score ranking: 44 (car dependent)

15. Florida City, FL

Only 25% of the residents of Florida City own a home. Most people rent, paying around $1700 or more per month. Although unemployment is low, 31% of the residents live below the poverty level. On average, individuals earn just under $13,000 per year. In 2020, Florida City was rated the most dangerous city in Florida.

• Unemployment rate: 2.3%
• Median household income: $37,556
• Walk Score ranking: 67 (somewhat walkable)

16. Dayton, OH

With a combination of high crime rates and low wages, Dayton is a city that ranks among the worst places to live in America. Once an innovative city with lucrative manufacturing jobs, its population peaked in 1960 and has steadily declined as those companies moved to less costly areas in the southern states. While the local governments are spending money to try and improve the quality of life there, it has a long way to go.

• Unemployment rate: 5.4% (National median 3.7% )
• Median household income: $57,318 (National median $64,994)
• Walk Score ranking: 45 (car dependent)

17. Detroit, MI

Motor City has seen some hard times, and it will be a long time before they're out of the woods. In 2013, the city filed for bankruptcy, and as a result, taxpayers have had to take on the fiscal burden, paying one of the highest property tax rates in the country. The population has dwindled, the economy is struggling, infrastructure needs major repairs, crime is rampant, and business growth is minimal.

• Unemployment rate: 7.9%
• Median household income: $32,498
• Walk Score ranking: 51 (somewhat walkable in safer areas)

18. Little Rock, AR

The capital city of Arkansas has a crime problem. With record-high numbers of homicides and property crimes, officials are scrambling to deal with the issues. The number of offenses rivals much larger cities like Detroit, St. Louis, and Memphis. The cost of living is reasonable, and employment numbers are close to the national average, but more than 15% of the city's population lives in poverty.

• Unemployment rate: 3.9%
• Median household income: $53,620
• Walk Score ranking: 33 (car dependent)

19. Seattle, WA

Although the Emerald City has historically been recognized as a great place to live, it's now becoming one of the worst. As Seattle's tech and music scene boomed, the cost of living, especially for housing, soared. The lack of affordable housing has led to a rapid rise in homelessness, with more than 5700 people living on the streets. Other issues accompany the homeless problem, including higher addiction rates and widespread mental health issues.

• Unemployment rate: 2.8%
• Median household income: $97,185
• Walk Score ranking: 74 (very walkable)

20. New Orleans, LA
There's no argument that the Big Easy is full of vitality and uniqueness, but if you live here, you have a 1:74 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and a 1:21 chance of dealing with a property crime. New Orleans is a dangerous place, with one of the highest murder rates in the country. Lots of young, single, upwardly mobile professionals find their way here, making the per capita income higher than most places in the state. But, 23% of the city's residents live below the poverty level.

• Unemployment rate: 6.5%
• Median household income: $43,258
• Walk Score ranking: 58 (somewhat walkable)