If someone questions you, “Which are the most unhappy cities in America?” then what would be your response? Most people first think, Is that even a thing? Actually, these are the cities that are miserable in some aspects.
Problems such as crime, unemployment, rising living costs, mental health concerns, and housing problems have never gone away after the recession.
Over the years, several studies have been conducted to measure what makes people unhappy where they live.
- Cities with high crime and unemployment are the worst.
- Don’t be surprised if you see California, Michigan, and Florida on the list.
- Mental health and money issues are key factors.
- Data and rankings are taken from verified sources.
1. Stockton, California
It’s been years. Stockton hasn’t recovered from the crash of the housing market. At one point, home prices dropped so badly that all houses were in foreclosure.
Due to these factors, the unemployment rate has climbed. Not only did residents lose their property, but the city also never bounced back from the situation.
2. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis has appeared on every list of unhappy cities in the US on the internet. The violent crime rate is responsible for this. It was higher than the national average for years. The crime rate pushed the poverty and low quality of life in the city further.
At the same time, Memphis has a strong culture and music. It is a city that has soul, but it still struggles to survive.
3. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland has been strongly affected by its brutal winters, factory closures, population loss, and economic decline. Forbes even mentioned the city has a long sports history as part of the misery factor. Only Cleveland fans can understand it better than anyone.
Still, people there are loyal to the city in a way that’s almost impossible to explain unless you’ve been there.
4. Detroit, Michigan
It is not easy to say, but Detroit has been a hub of crime, unemployment, abandoned homes, and school closures in the last couple of years.
There’s been progress in downtown areas, but outside those spots, many areas are stuck in poverty and a lack of investment.
5. Flint, Michigan
Flint has a water crisis. Along with this, there are no jobs in the factory, the poverty rate has increased, and thousands of people have migrated from this area to other cities.
Still, Flint is the top contender for unemployment, crime, and low-income levels in the US.
6. Miami, Florida
No doubt, Miami is very glamorous from the outside, but the people living there are exhausted with rising costs. Housing prices are at an all-time high, traffic is horrible, and wages are not sufficient for living.
In recent times, there has been an increase in the foreclosure and corruption cases in South Florida.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana
People often visit New Orleans for the music, food, and nightlife. However, residents share a different story about the city. They say that crime is very common, insurance is out of reach for the average person, and every other person has money issues.
Yahoo Finance listed New Orleans among the unhappiest cities because of violent crime, unemployment, and the high cost of living.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is on the list because of high taxes, a high crime rate, and unaffordable living costs.
Thousands of visitors come to Chicago every year, but they are not aware of the circumstances of the city from the inside. Only locals feel the pain.
9. Fresno, California
Fresno has dealt with unemployment for years. Compared to other cities in the US, the unemployment rate is quite high in Fresno.
The reason for fewer jobs is limited economic opportunities. As a result, families can’t live happy lives amid rising costs and lower-paying jobs.
The city is also fighting a battle of housing pressure and poverty.
10. Baltimore, Maryland
In Baltimore, there has been a spike in violent crime cases and disparities in income. The Zebra states that half of the city has abandoned buildings, criminal gangs/groups, and very few job opportunities.
11. St Louis, Missouri
St Louis is also a victim of criminal activities. Reports suggest that the majority of the population has fled from this city. The rest who live here have depression and financial struggles.
The city has a long history in the books, yet the government has not resolved any of the issues.
12. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”. It is quite popular for its 4.2-mile Las Vegas trip. For locals, it is different. Housing costs are on a sharp rise, and rent is quite high.
There are no green spaces in this city. Most of the city is a concrete jungle.
13. Gary, Indiana
According to Travel Alot, Gary is the perfect example of what a recession can do to a city. Several factories have been closed, jobs are outnumbered, and thousands of people have migrated.
There are Some Happiest Cities in America Too….
Rachel Wu, associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, points out that a person’s surroundings can help promote happiness.
She believes that if a place has a high employment rate, low poverty, low housing cost, low crime rate, and good infrastructure, that place is a happy place to live. These are the 10 happiest cities in the U.S.:
- Fremont, California
- San Jose, California
- Irvine, California
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Overland Park, Kansas
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Scottsdale, Arizona
- San Francisco, California
- Huntington Beach, California
Sources and References:
- Forbes — Cleveland has a long history in sports.
- Yahoo Finance — New Orleans is a centre of violent crime, unemployment, and high cost of living.
- The Zebra — Half of Baltimore City is empty.
- Travel Alot — Gary is the perfect example of a city after a recession.
