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

21. Brownsville, TX

This border town not only deals with crime but also with high unemployment rates. More than 27% of its residents live below the poverty level. While the cost of living and home prices are much lower here, good-paying jobs are hard to find. Because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Brownsville is also one of the most hurricane-vulnerable cities in the country. Noise pollution, due to the air traffic in and out of the local airport, is a major factor affecting the quality of life.

• Unemployment rate: 6.5%
• Median household income: $40,924
• Walk Score ranking: 35 (car dependent)

22. Waianae, HI

People may find it hard to picture any locale in Hawaii not being a paradise, but this small coastal town doesn't fit that image. Although it has some of the highest housing costs in the nation, yearly incomes for individuals are among the lowest in the state, averaging just under $23,000. High burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates occur here, with 1:29 people likely to become a target.

• Unemployment rate: 3.5%
• Median household income: $67,466
• Walk Score ranking: 69 (somewhat walkable)

23. Rockford, IL

When a city faces high unemployment numbers, increased crime rates aren't usually far behind. Housing costs in Rockford are about 62% less than in other U.S. cities, but people aren't moving here. Maybe it's because this city has gained a reputation for being one of the most dangerous in the country.

• Unemployment rate: 8.1%
• Median household income: $44,771
• Walk Score ranking: 41 (car dependent)

24. Tucson, AZ

A lack of high-paying jobs and a poverty rate that's 66% higher than the national average means it's hard to make a living here. Add in the extremely hot temperatures in the summer and a dwindling water supply, and you'll understand why Tucson is a less-than-ideal place to live. Daily gridlock on the city's one main freeway, along with 40-minute commute times, make it even less desirable.

• Unemployment rate: 4.3%
• Median household income: $45,227
• Walk Score ranking: 43 (car dependent)

25. Jackson, MS

Life in Jackson is tough, and one of the first things locals will tell you is to avoid going out at night. Jackson frequently makes the list as one of the most dangerous cities in the country. Crime rates here exceed both state and federal averages. The city's water treatment facility failed over the summer after years of neglect, leaving residents high and dry.

• Unemployment rate: 4.3%
• Median household income: $40,064
• Walk Score ranking: 43 (car dependent)

26. North Charleston, SC

People in North Charleston — the most dangerous city in South Carolina — live with crime rates that are 195% higher than the national average. Median household incomes fall far below the national median. The wage disparity between men's and women's salaries is significant here and across the state. The average male's salary is $62,242, while females average $45,267.

• Unemployment rate: 3.2%
• Median household income: $47,201
• Walk Score ranking: 26 (car dependent)

27. Baltimore, MD

Between 2019 and 2020, the population of Baltimore started to decline, and that trend continues. Although median household incomes have improved over the last decade, 20% of the population lives below the poverty level. Most of those who do are women between the ages of 25 and 34. Baltimore isn't a safe city, either. One out of every 61 residents here is at risk of becoming a victim of violent crime.

• Unemployment rate: 5.9%
• Median household income: $52,164
• Walk Score ranking: 64 (somewhat walkable)

28. Philadelphia, PA

Gun violence and the opioid crisis are major contributors to the staggering crime rates in the City of Brotherly Love. In 2021, there were 2,326 shootings here. The number of homicides has steadily risen over the last eight years, doubling between 2013 and 2021.

• Unemployment rate: 6.4%
• Median household income: $52,164
• Walk Score ranking: 75 (very walkable)

29. North Las Vegas, NV

The cost of living is high here, and individual income is 30% lower than the national average — that is, if you can find a job. Unemployment is around 33% higher than in the rest of the country. Although the crime rate has been steadily decreasing over the years, drug use, burglary, and car theft are the biggest problems.

• Unemployment rate: 6.7%
• Median household income: $60,972
• Walk Score ranking: 34 (car dependent)

30. Americus, GA

This is a small town with 16,230 residents and little to no industry or businesses to provide a liveable wage. More than 28% of the people who reside here live below the poverty level, and incomes are much lower than the national average. Assaults are the most reported violent crime. And there are four active superfund sites here, land that has been contaminated by hazardous waste.

• Unemployment rate: 4.4%
• Median household income: $33,405
• Walk Score ranking: 27 (car dependent)