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Have you ever moved from a place only to realize after the fact how many great amenities you don’t have in your new city? Hopefully, every place you’ve moved has been better than the last, but there are some things you should always consider before relocating.
We always agree, home is where the heart is, but there are certainly aspects of a city that can make living there all the more enjoyable. New roads, generous sidewalks, bike lanes, and plenty of green space are all perks that come to mind. Though many cities offer these great amenities, they should not be taken for granted.
To help you make the best relocation choice, we have compiled a list of cities that just don’t measure up. These cities are considered some of the worst places to live in the US because of high crime rates, high cost of living, or poor cultural amenities.
Memphis, TN
Memphis has a very high crime rate, and 1 in 41 residents have the chance of falling victim to a violent crime. The city is also prone to flooding, and many of its businesses and homes will be in a 100-year floodplain within the next 30 years.
Houston, TX
Houston is already at risk of hurricanes and tornadoes, and the risk is expected to rise over the next few years. The city also experiences low air quality often, and crime rates for both property and violent crimes are high.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the US. A 600 sq ft or less apartment will cost almost $3,000 a month in rent, and a gallon of gas will cost nearly $6.
Mendota, CA
Almost 40% of Mendota’s population live below the poverty level, and the unemployment rate is high at almost 10%, with a US average of 6%. Average test scores in public schools are also way below the national level.
Anchorage, AK
A very high crime rate makes Anchorage one of the most dangerous places to live. It also has some of the most expensive real estate in Alaska, so rent can be high, and it may not be the best place for first-time home buyers.
Penns Grove, NJ
Penns Grove has a list of issues that include extremely high poverty rates, unemployment rates, and low salaries. Even though it’s a small borough, both violent crime and property crime rates are higher than the national average.
Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque’s living cost is slightly lower than the national average, but property taxes are the highest in New Mexico. Home prices are also high. Albuquerque also has a high crime rate, with 22 homicides between Jan and Apr 2024.
New York City, NY
There’s a lot to see and do in the Big Apple. But it’s one of the most expensive places to live in the US. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is almost $4,000 a month. While the average salary is higher than in many other cities, the cost of living means that about 16% of residents still live below the poverty level.
Corpus Christi, TX
While it’s a famous tourist town, most people don’t want to live in Corpus Christi. Unemployment is high, and job growth is meager. The rate of violent crimes is also high. As Corpus Christi is on the Gulf Coast, there’s also a higher risk of hurricanes and other dangerous weather.
Idabel, Ok
Idabel may be a small town, but it has a crime index of 1, which means it’s more dangerous than 99% of other US cities. Violent crimes have increased by almost 150% over the past few years. Idabel also has a high poverty level (over 30%), which may be a factor in the crime rates.
Bessemer, Al
About a quarter of Bessemer’s residents live below the poverty level, with very little job growth. Schools fall below the state average in both math and reading, and crime rates, including violent crimes, are high.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee experienced a lot of growth in the 1950s. But since then, its progress has dwindled considerably. There isn’t much job growth, but the bigger issue is the increasing violent crime rates. Also, the Milwaukee public school system’s test scores fall below the state average in reading and math.
St. Louis, MO
Many people visit St. Louis, and almost 3 million people call the city home. But, compared to the rest of Missouri and the US, it’s not considered a safe place to live. Major crime, particularly violent crime, is a huge issue. Property crime rates are also high.
Flint, MI
Many people have heard about the Flint water crisis. Even though lead pipes were supposed to be replaced in 2023, the city has still not replaced all pipes. Utility prices, unemployment rates, and poverty levels are all high, and it has one of the highest crime rates in the nation.
Dayton, Oh
Dayton peaked in the 60s but has been declining ever since. Wages are low, crime rates are high, and unemployment is almost 6%.
Detroit, MI
In 2013, the city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy/ This has caused taxpayers to endure one of the highest property taxes in the US. As the economy has struggled, the population has decreased, crime rates are high, and business growth is low.
Little Rock, AR
Little Rock has crime rates that rival larger cities like Memphis, St. Louis, and Detroit, with violent and property crimes being the most rampant. The cost of living and unemployment rate is about average, but many of the city’s population still live below the poverty level.
Seattle, WA
Seattle’s music and technology scene has grown over the past few years, but so has the cost of living, particularly for housing. This has led to an increase in homelessness, with almost 6,000 people living on the streets. High crime and addiction rates and mental health issues are also a problem.
New Orleans, LA
It seems like New Orleans has two sides: the tourist and the residential sides, which are entirely different. Tourist areas are full of uniqueness and vitality. But the city has one of the highest murder rates in the country. Other types of violent crime and property crime are also high.
Brownsville, TX
Home prices and the cost of living are low in Brownsville, but many residents still live below the poverty level, and unemployment rates are high. Brownsville is also near the Gulf of Mexico, so it’s a city vulnerable to hurricanes.
Waianae, HI
It’s hard to think of anywhere in Hawaii as less than paradise. However, Waianae has some of the highest housing prices in the nation but one of the lowest average incomes. Crime is also high, especially motor vehicle theft, larceny, and burglary.
Tucson, AZ
Tucson has a high poverty rate and a lack of jobs, making it difficult to earn a living. The summers are scorching, and the water supply is dwindling. Another issue is that there’s only one main freeway in the city, which means commute times are long.
North Charleston, SC
Crime rates in North Charleston are much higher than the national average. Median household incomes are much lower than the national average, and there’s a big difference between the average men’s and women’s salaries.
North Las Vegas, NV
Crime rates have been decreasing over the past few years, but drug use, car theft and burglary are still a problem. The cost of living is also high in North Las Vegas, and the unemployment rate is much higher than the national average.
Americus, GA
This small town has barely any businesses or industries, making it hard for residents to make a living. Almost 30% of residents live below the poverty level, and incomes are lower than the national average.
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