Welcome to the Bottom of the List
Sure, every city has its charm—but not all are equally beloved by their residents. In fact, some U.S. cities consistently rank poorly when locals are asked about quality of life, safety, infrastructure, and overall satisfaction.
To build this ranking, we looked at resident surveys, quality-of-life indices, safety statistics, and livability scores from sources including, U.S. Census data, and community polls. The result? A list of the 30 “worst” cities in America—ranked from bad to downright dismal—according to the people who live there.
Before you start... what city do you think ended up at number 1?
30: St. Louis, Missouri
Crime rate: Among the highest in the nation
Population decline: Residents continue moving away
Public perception: Many locals cite safety concerns
Despite vibrant cultural spots, residents often say St. Louis struggles with crime and depopulation, leaving many feeling uneasy about its future.
Carlos Santa Maria, Adobe Stock
29: Cleveland, Ohio
Median income: Well below national average
Poverty rate: Among the highest for major cities
Infrastructure: Aging buildings and roads
Cleveland boasts sports pride, but residents frequently complain about economic stagnation and crumbling infrastructure.
28: Detroit, Michigan
Vacancy rate: High number of abandoned homes
Unemployment: Above national average
Public services: Many neighborhoods lack basic services
Detroit is rebuilding, but locals admit that many areas still feel forgotten, making everyday life frustrating.
A Healthier Michigan from Detroit, United States, Wikimedia Commons
27: Baltimore, Maryland
Violent crime: Among the top five nationally
Schools: Poor test scores and underfunded districts
Public trust: Residents report distrust in city leadership
Baltimore has rich history, but residents say crime and systemic issues overshadow its potential.
26: Memphis, Tennessee
Violent crime: Rates consistently rank near the top
Poverty: Affects a large portion of residents
Public amenities: Many neighborhoods lack investment
Music history shines here, but locals often feel the city is unsafe and underfunded.
WillyBearden, Wikimedia Commons
25: New Orleans, Louisiana
Infrastructure: Ongoing road and flood issues
Crime rate: Among the nation’s highest
Cost of living: Rising faster than wages
New Orleans is beloved by tourists, but many residents say it’s tough to live in long-term due to safety and affordability.
Jacinta Quesada, Wikimedia Commons
24: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Crime: High in certain districts
Cleanliness: Trash and litter complaints common
Traffic: Congestion frustrates commuters
Philadelphia’s history is unmatched, but locals often express frustration with safety and city upkeep.
23: Birmingham, Alabama
Median income: Low compared to U.S. average
Crime: Frequently cited as a major issue
Public services: Struggles with basic infrastructure
Residents say Birmingham has promise but suffers from persistent poverty and crime.
formulanone from Huntsville, United States, Wikimedia Commons
22: Stockton, California
Crime: Property crime is a frequent complaint
Cost of living: High compared to wages
Homelessness: Visible in many areas
Stockton residents say the city is caught between affordability issues and safety concerns.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
21: Kansas City, Missouri
Homicide rate: Consistently among the nation’s worst
Potholes: A top frustration for locals
Public trust: Low faith in city government
Kansas City has great BBQ, but residents frequently cite crime and failing infrastructure as daily struggles.
20: Jackson, Mississippi
Water crisis: Ongoing infrastructure failures
Poverty rate: Among the highest in the U.S.
Population trend: Many residents moving out
Locals love their community spirit, but widespread infrastructure and poverty issues drag the city down.
19: Gary, Indiana
Population decline: Lost over half its peak residents
Vacancy: Thousands of abandoned homes
Crime: Longstanding safety issues
Residents describe Gary as struggling to recover from industrial decline, with visible scars across the city.
WeaponizingArchitecture, Wikimedia Commons
18: Oakland, California
Housing costs: Skyrocketing beyond affordability
Crime: High rates of theft and violence
Homelessness: A growing concern among locals
Oakland is rich in culture, but residents say costs and safety issues make life tough.
DianeBentleyRaymond, Getty Images
17: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Property crime: Among the highest in the U.S.
Homelessness: Visible issue across the city
Job growth: Slower than national average
Locals say Albuquerque’s natural beauty contrasts with safety and economic challenges.
Grendelkhan, Wikimedia Commons
16: Shreveport, Louisiana
Crime: High compared to national levels
Median income: Among the lowest in the state
Public services: Poor maintenance of roads and utilities
Residents often describe Shreveport as overlooked, with little investment in its future.
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, Wikimedia Commons
15: Little Rock, Arkansas
Violent crime: One of the nation’s highest per capita
Schools: Struggling with performance issues
Public trust: Low confidence in leadership
Locals say Little Rock’s small-town charm is undercut by safety and school concerns.
Felix Mizioznikov, Adobe Stock
14: Fresno, California
Air quality: Among the worst in the U.S.
Poverty: Nearly a quarter of residents affected
Public services: Struggles with homelessness
Fresno’s agriculture is strong, but many residents feel their city lacks livability.
Nagel Photography, Shutterstock
13: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Segregation: Among the most segregated U.S. cities
Violent crime: A growing concern for residents
Schools: Performance lags behind national averages
Locals cite a deep divide between Milwaukee’s potential and its persistent struggles.
Isaac Rowlett, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
12: San Bernardino, California
Bankruptcy: City has struggled financially
Crime: Consistently high
Unemployment: Above state average
Residents describe San Bernardino as caught in a cycle of financial hardship and crime.
Amerique, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
11: Toledo, Ohio
Economic decline: Slow job growth
Schools: Below national performance
Public safety: Ongoing concerns
Toledo residents often say their city feels stuck, with little forward momentum.
10: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Traffic: Ranked among the nation’s worst for congestion
Crime: High rates affect many neighborhoods
Public trust: Frustrations with local leadership
Locals say Baton Rouge’s growth hasn’t translated into better daily life.
Felix Mizioznikov, Adobe Stock
9: Compton, California
Crime reputation: Still lingers despite improvements
Schools: Underfunded and struggling
Income levels: Lower than state average
Residents say Compton is improving but still faces stigma and real challenges.
8: Newark, New Jersey
Air quality: Poor due to industrial activity
Crime: Safety concerns persist
Schools: Ongoing performance struggles
Locals often describe Newark as a tough place to live despite being so close to New York City.
7: Youngstown, Ohio
Population loss: Down more than half since peak
Poverty: Extremely high rates
Vacancy: Abandoned homes dominate many areas
Residents say Youngstown never recovered from the collapse of manufacturing.
6: Anchorage, Alaska
Cost of living: High compared to wages
Crime: Some of the nation’s highest rates
Isolation: Harsh weather and distance cited by locals
Residents say beauty comes at a price—life here can be isolating and unsafe.
5: Oakland Park, Florida
Crime: Higher than national average
Poverty: Affects many households
Public perception: Locals report poor city management
Though close to Miami, residents often feel Oakland Park lacks resources and safety.
4: Flint, Michigan
Water crisis: Still impacting trust
Poverty: One of the highest in the nation
Crime: Consistently high rates
Residents say Flint’s ongoing crises make daily life feel uncertain and unsafe.
Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons
3: Camden, New Jersey
Crime: Historically among the worst
Poverty: Extremely high
Schools: Underfunded and struggling
Camden locals say the city has improved slightly, but still faces overwhelming challenges.
Gary Miotla, Wikimedia Commons
2: Detroit, Michigan (East Side)
Neighborhood decline: Particularly severe in East Side
Services: Residents cite lack of safety and utilities
Public trust: Low confidence in recovery
Residents in Detroit’s East Side feel left behind, with many neighborhoods struggling to survive.
Andrew Jameson, Wikimedia Commons
1: Monroe, Louisiana
Crime rate: Ranked highest in the nation per capita
Median income: Among the lowest in the U.S.
Quality of life: Residents consistently rank it poor
Locals say Monroe is plagued by crime, poverty, and lack of opportunity—earning its spot as the “worst” city according to its own people.
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