50 of The Most Miserable Cities In Each State
If you are looking for a new home but are unsure where you would like to live, then you should check out this article that goes over the most miserable cities in America, as these are the cities that you should avoid moving to. Picking the correct city to live in can be pretty difficult as many things factor in, such as crime rate, the cost of living, poverty, and good schooling. We have compiled a list of the most miserable cities in each state, making it much easier for you to avoid these cities with many problems.
Most of these cities on the list used to be thriving cities, but over the years, these cities have become some of the worst places to live in America. So if you are interested in finding out more about these miserable cities, be sure to check out this article that goes over 50 of the most miserable cities in America.
Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is considered to be the most miserable city to live in and is the southernmost city in the state. Residents of Keokuk are leaving in numbers which is largely due to the drastic decrease in the housing market. An average home in Keokuk only costs around $67,000, which is about half of what the state's average home costs.
Keokuk has seen a decrease in its population and is dwindling every year. Another reason why Keokuk is struggling is that there aren't many job opportunities, leaving several people unemployed. It seems like Keokuk will be a dead city within a couple of years if things don't change.
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo is considered to be the most miserable city to live in in the state of Colorado, and it is largely due to the high crime rate and poverty that hinders this city. There aren't many grocery stores in the city, which has led to many families struggling to get food on the dinner table.
Pueblo also struggles with a violent crime rate which you wouldn't expect in such a small city. The crime rate has increased over the years as there isn't much work available in the city. This is another city that you should stay clear of, especially if you want a nice and quiet life.
Cold Springs, Nevada
When it comes to the great state of Nevada, Cold Springs is considered the most miserable city in the state. Cold Springs is quite different from the rest of the cities on this list as it has a low poverty rate, an increasing population, and a low unemployment rate.
The reason why Cold Springs is considered to be the most miserable city to live in is that there really isn't much to do in the city. Another reason why it is terrible to live in Cold Springs is that all the good-paying jobs are about 30 miles away from the city.
Wilmington, Delaware
Despite Wilmington being the largest city in Delaware, it is ranked as the most miserable city in the state. Residents find that Wilmington is miserable to live in because there has been a rise in the crime rate, making the quality of life within the city decline.
Wilmington is considered to be the most dangerous city in the state, which has led many residents to move away. There isn't much opportunity in Wilmington, and people are having a hard time living as the average income is around $40,000. There are about 72,000 people living in Wilmington, with many looking to get out.
Bessemer, Alabama
When it comes to the great state of Alabama, Bessemer is ranked the worst city in the state as it is riddled with violent crime and poverty. The city of Bessemer has a population of around 27,000 people and has a number of problems which makes this a pretty hard place to live in.
Poverty is another factor that affects Bessemer negatively, as the average yearly wage is around $30,000, while the average cost of living in the city is about $46,000. Many residents of Bessemer are struggling to stay afloat as it isn't easy to find a good job, and the crime rate is constantly rising.
Georgetown, South Carolina
When it comes to the poorest and most miserable city in South Carolina, Georgetown is ranked as number one as the small city has been dwindling in population for several years. With a population of around 9,000 residents, Georgetown has a high poverty rate of 37%.
Crime has risen over the past couple of years which has led many residents to move out. Since almost half of the population isn't making a good living, the city of Georgetown is suffering immensely. Georgetown might look like an amazing city to live in, but since you can't really make a good living, it should be avoided at all costs.
Newburgh, New York
Newburgh is considered to be the most miserable city in New York and is mostly due to the high poverty and crime rate. Most residents of Newburgh are not in the best financial position, as the poverty rate is around 30%. This has led to crime rising within the city, and many residents find that the quality of life is pretty low.
Newburgh has a population of 28,000 residents, but that number has been shrinking every year as more and more people are leaving to find a better place to live. So if you are looking to move to New York, it is best not to choose Newburgh.
Grantsville, Utah
Although Grantsville is considered to be the most miserable city in Utah, it is far better than most cities that are on this list. The reason why Grantsville is considered to be a terrible city to live in is because of the access to grocery stores and other places of business, such as hospitals. Everything is located outside of the city limits, making the quality of life pretty low.
Another reason why Grantsville isn't the best place to live is there is a high percentage of residents that are addicted to drugs, making this city not the best to raise children.
Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a small city located in Wisconsin and is considered to be the most miserable city in the state to live in. Beloit is home to around 36,000 residents and is suffering from a high poverty rate that has created more crime within the city. Since the quality of life has been decreasing, so has the property value of homes.
Residents are leaving in droves each year as there aren't many good job opportunities, and crime is driving everyone out. Beloit used to be a thriving city, but things have changed for the worst, making this one of the last cities anyone would want to move to in the state of Wisconsin.
Robstown, Texas
When it comes to the great state of Texas, Robstown is ranked as the most miserable place in the state. The poverty rate in Robstown is pretty high and lies around 35%. The small town is only home to about 11,000 residents, and that number is dropping significantly every year.
Jobs are scarcely available, which has led to the demise of Robstown as everyone that wants a good job is moving out to another city. Robstown's future does not look good, as residents are looking for a better place to live. This is another city that you should avoid if you are looking to move soon.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is considered to be the most miserable city to live in in Missouri as it is dealing with a high percentage of residents under the poverty line and is considered to be the most dangerous city in the state. St. Louis is home to around 315,000 people, but the population has been dwindling as several people are leaving each year.
There are around 25% of residents under the poverty line, and crime is quite violent within the city limits. St. Louis might be the most iconic city in Missouri, but it is recommended that you find a better place to live if you plan on moving soon.
Rexburg, Idaho
Rexburg, Idaho might look like an amazing place to live as the surrounding landscape and overall appearance of the city look pleasing, but the residents of Rexburg have been struggling to find good job opportunities and afford to live a good life.
The average cost of a home is around three times more than the average median income. Around 41% of the residents are below the poverty line, which has led many residents to move. There aren't many job opportunities in the area, which is really hurting the city of Rexburg. There are around 27,000 people living in Rexburg, with many struggling to make ends meet.
Arkansas City, Kansas
Arkansas City is located in Kansas and is considered to be the most miserable city to live in. Arkansas City is a small city that has been struggling to keep residents from moving away. Several residents have resorted to moving away as they find it hard to be financially set in Arkansas City.
Around 20% of the residents are under the poverty line, and it just keeps getting worse every year. Since residents are struggling financially, the city's crime rate has risen dramatically. Since there are no job opportunities and crime is on a rise, people are leaving Arkansas City each year.
Helena, Arkansas
Helena is considered to be the most miserable city in Arkansas, which can be blamed mainly on a high crime rate. Residents of Helena have been moving out in droves as many have gotten tired of the low job availability and worsening crime rate. This is one city to stay away from if you want to move to Arkansas, as nothing seems to improve.
Helena has a deep history and was the location of the Battle of Helena during the American Civil War. The city was once pretty prosperous, but now the city is slowly dying.
Union City, Georgia
Union City might sound like a city with a lot of job opportunities, but sadly that just isn't the case, as it is ranked as the most miserable city to live in in the state of Georgia. Union City is having a hard time keeping businesses around and has seen an increase in the percentage of workers that are unemployed.
With a high percentage of unemployment always comes crime, and Union City has become riddled with it over the recent years as more and more residents are finding no work. There are around 20,000 people in the city and that number is dropping every year.
Harve, Montana
When it comes to small cities that are quite miserable to live in, Harve is considered to be the worst in the state of Montana. With a population of under 10,000 residents, Harve has seen better days as it once was a booming small city.
Despite having a high unemployment rate, Harve has increased in population over the past five years, but this isn't a good thing as many people are having a hard time finding a good job. Around 20% of Harve's residents are under the poverty line, and it just keeps getting worse every year.
Lexington, North Carolina
When it comes to the great state of North Carolina, Lexington is considered to be the most miserable city in the state. The poverty rate is significantly high in Lexington, at around 31%, which is largely due to the small number of jobs available in the area.
Since there aren't many job opportunities available, residents have resorted to crime, which has risen dramatically over the years. Residents of Lexington are leaving in droves as many people are looking for a better place to live. This is yet another city on the list that you shouldn't move to.
Highland Park, Michigan
When it comes to the great state of Michigan, Highland Park is ranked as the worst city to live in. Highland Park is located just a couple of miles away from downtown Detroit, and the city has seen better days as most of the buildings are abandoned.
Around half of Highland Park's residents are under the poverty line, which has led to an increase in crime throughout the city. Homes in Highland Park only cost a fraction of the state's average home cost as everyone is leaving the city, and there is no opportunity to grow.
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Yazoo City might be the most colorful city in Mississippi, but it is considered to be the state's most miserable city to live in. Mississippi has been ranked the poorest state in America, and sadly it is no different when it comes to Yazoo City. Amazingly, about 50% of the residents are under the poverty line and are struggling to make ends meet.
Yazoo City is home to around 12,000 residents, but that number is shrinking every year as people are leaving each year to find a better place to live. If things don't change, then Yazoo City will become dead pretty soon.
Derry, New Hampshire
Derry is another city on the list that is considered to be the most miserable city in New Hampshire. Despite being a miserable place to live, Derry is one of the safest cities in the state and has a low rate of poverty. The reason why Derry is considered a terrible place to live is that the cost of living is quite high.
The good thing is that residents of Derry still make a good amount of money but they are starting to struggle with each passing year. Derry might be one of the best cities on the list, as the city is still in good shape.
Bastrop, Louisiana
Louisiana is already considered to be one of the most dangerous states to live in, as there is a high crime rate and Bastrop is considered to be the most miserable city within the state as the crime rate is significantly high within the city. Bastrop has been suffering recently as more and more businesses are leaving the area, which has left a large number of residents under the poverty line.
The violent crime is concentrated in poorer neighborhoods and has led many residents to leave as they find the quality of life within the city to be very poor.
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage might be the most popular city in Alaska, but it is far from the best that the state has to offer, as it is ranked the worst in the state. There are only about twelve major cities located in Alaska, but Anchorage is by far the worst as it is riddled with violent crime and poverty.
When it comes to the cost of living in Anchorage, it is considered to be quite high as most goods are imported from the states below, making everything pretty expensive. Housing in Anchorage isn't cheap either, so you better have a good job if you are planning to move here.
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Martinsburg is considered to be one of the most miserable cities to live in in West Virginia, as the poverty rate is pretty high. With a population of 17,000, Martinsburg has been experiencing a drop in population as people are finding it hard to make a living. The unemployment rate has dramatically risen within the past couple of years as businesses have relocated to bigger cities.
There are several abandoned buildings located in Martinsburg, which has led to more violent crime and drug usage. The homeless problem has started to increase as well, and residents are tired of a low quality of life within the city.
East St. Louis, Illinois
East St. Louis is considered to be the most miserable city to live in in Illinois as it is riddled with crime. East St. Louis is pretty dangerous as most of the residents are below the poverty line. Several residents have been leaving in droves as the quality of life is poor, and there are no job opportunities.
There are several buildings that have been abandoned which has led to even more crime throughout the city. The unemployment rate keeps on rising, and it doesn't look like it is going to stop anytime soon. East St. Louis is definitely a city you should avoid at all costs.
Yelm, Washington
When it comes to the great state of Washington, Yelm is considered to be the most miserable city in the state. Yelm might be the worst city in Washington, but it is far from that, as the poverty line is much lower than you would expect. The reason why Yelm is considered to be a terrible place to live is that the crime rate is pretty high compared to other cities in the state.
Yelm might be one of the worst cities to live in, but the population has been increasing dramatically each year which is probably due to the number of jobs available.
Orono, Maine
Orono is considered to be the most miserable city to live in in Maine, as it is the poorest city in the state. Orono used to be a booming city back in the day with many job opportunities, but that has changed drastically as the city is struggling to keep businesses around.
There isn't much to do in Orono as most of the entertainment has long been driven away. Residents find Orono pretty miserable to live in as there isn't much opportunity and nothing fun is around for young people to do. This is one city that you should stay away from if you want a good living.
Barre, Vermont
Barre is considered to be the most miserable city to live in in Vermont, as the unemployment rate is very high. With a population of 8,800 residents, Barre has seen better days as people are leaving each year. The poverty rate is pretty high in Barre, and many residents have a hard time finding good-paying jobs.
Since there isn't much work available in Barre, residents have been forced to move to other cities with more opportunities. Crime has started to rise within Barre as the poverty rate just keeps on increasing. Barre might have a nice appearance, but it should be avoided if you want to make a good living.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is one of the bigger cities on the list that is considered to be the most miserable in the state of Ohio. You might think that the population would be increasing in Cleveland, but that just isn't the case, as many residents are leaving in droves.
Cleveland has become more violent in crime over the past couple of years and isn't the best place to find a job, as several companies have already moved to other cities. Cleveland was once a thriving city, but now it doesn't look like it has a bright future as many people feel the quality of life is diminishing.
Franklin, Virginia
Franklin is considered to be the most miserable city to live in in Virginia, as the unemployment rate just keeps going up each year. Around 10% of the 8,000 residents are unemployed, which has really taken a toll on Franklin. The small city was once a thriving community, but things changed when companies started to leave for bigger cities.
Franklin's quality of life has decreased over the years as crime is on the rise, and nobody feels safe anymore. The poverty rate isn't bad in Franklin, but everything else factored in makes this city among the worst to live in.
Central Falls, Rhode Island
Central Falls is another city on this list that is considered to be the most miserable city in Rhode Island. Since residents of Central Falls only have a yearly income of $26,000, it has turned the housing market into a nightmare for them as they cannot afford the high cost of living within the city.
Around 30% of Central Falls residents are under the poverty line, and it is nearly impossible for them to purchase a home as housing is around five times what each resident makes on average yearly. Central Falls has also fallen victim to a high crime rate, so it isn't looking good for the city.
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks might be considered the most miserable city to live in in North Dakota, but it is actually one of the better cities to live in on the list. Grand Forks has a population of around 56,000 residents and has a pretty low unemployment rate considering the number of people that live there.
Grand Forks has a low cost of living, making it one of the better choices to live on the list. The reason why Grand Forks is considered to be miserable to live in is that the poverty rate is pretty high compared to the other cities located in North Dakota.
New Bedford, Massachusetts
New Bedford is considered to be the most miserable city in the state of Massachusetts, as it is riddled with crime and poverty. Despite having a low quality of life, New Bedford's average home price is around $200,000, making it extremely hard for residents to afford a home as the average yearly wage is around $40,000.
Residents of New Bedford are leaving in droves as they are tired of the crime and poverty that has stricken the city. There aren't many job opportunities in New Bedford, which has led many of its residents to move out.
Douglas, Arizona
Douglas, Arizona is located near the border of Mexico and has seen better days as Douglas has been ranked the most miserable city located in Arizona. Douglas is a pretty small city and is shrinking every year as many people are leaving to find a better place to live.
Douglas is hindered by a high crime rate and poverty, making it very difficult for its residents to make a good living. The average home costs around $90,000 in Douglas, making it one of the cheapest places to purchase a home in the state, but even then, people are still struggling to make a living in Douglas.
St. Paul, Minnesota
When it comes to the most dangerous city in Minnesota, St. Paul is ranked among the worst as the city is riddled with crime. St. Paul is known for its violent crimes, making this city one of the most miserable to live in. Around 20% of St. Paul's residents are under the poverty line, and people are leaving the city each year as they are tired of the poor quality of life.
St. Paul is home to around 300,000 people, with most finding that it is hard to make a good living as housing is still pretty expensive despite the low quality of life.
Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue is considered to be the state's most miserable city to live in. You would think that Bellevue is riddled with crime and poverty, but that isn't the case, as the city is suffering from a low quality of life. Since there are not that many grocery stores in the city, it can be quite hard to put food on the table.
Bellevue is home to around 54,000 residents and has an unemployment rate of 4%, which is pretty low considering the size of the city. Bellevue might not be the worst city to live in on the list, but it sure is the most miserable in the state.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis might be the largest city on the list, but it is still considered to be the most miserable city to live in. Memphis is one of the most dangerous cities in America, and one of the reasons why people feel like the quality of life is pretty low. Memphis has a high crime rate due to the poverty rate being high, and it doesn't help that there are about 650,000 residents looking to make ends meet.
Finding a job in Memphis is hard and is leading many residents to find work outside of the city just so they can earn a good living.
Okmulgee, Oklahoma
When it comes to the state of Oklahoma, Okmulgee is considered to be the most miserable city in the state. Okmulgee is a small city that has been suffering for the past couple of years as its population has been dwindling from a high poverty rate.
Since residents are always moving out of Okmulgee, housing prices have crashed, with the average cost of a home being only half of the state's average. Since the poverty rate is high, crime has skyrocketed over the past couple of years, leaving residents feeling like their quality of life is little to none.
Cambridge, Maryland
Maryland is considered to be the wealthiest state in America, but not all the cities within the state are in good shape. Cambridge is considered to be the most miserable city in Maryland, as a large percentage of its residents are below the poverty line.
Cambridge has a high cost of living, making it even harder for people to afford household things. Since unemployment is on the rise, that means that crime is up in Cambridge as people are resorting to theft to make up for their low wages. There are around 12,000 residents, with that number dropping every year.
Makaha, Hawaii
Makaha, Hawaii might look like a beautiful city, but it is far from the best place to live in Hawaii, as it is ranked the most miserable city to live in in the state. With a population of around 12,000, you would think that it is relatively inexpensive, but this isn't the case, as an average home is priced at around $400,000.
The high cost of living has left many of the residents under the poverty line and makes it difficult to raise a family. The cost of living just keeps rising and leaving more people unable to afford their homes.
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is another city on the list that is ranked the worst among the cities of Connecticut. Bridgeport was once a thriving city, but now the city is suffering from poverty and crime, which has led many residents to leave to find better opportunities.
Bridgeport is a pretty expensive city to live in despite the high crime rate and low job availability. Many of the residents that do make a good living are finding it harder to live in Bridgeport as they don't see why they should pay so much to live in a miserable city. This is another city that should be avoided at all costs.
Florida City, Florida
When it comes to the great state of Florida, Florida City is ranked among the most miserable cities, and it is largely due to a high poverty line that lies around 41%. The small city is located just forty miles outside of Miami and is home to about 12,000 residents.
Florida City is considered to be very dangerous and has even made it on the list of the most dangerous cities in America. The high unemployment rate has led many people to commit crimes as they find it hard to pay off their rent. Florida City might sound like a great city, but it should be avoided.
Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester is considered to be the state's most miserable city to live in, as the poverty rate is pretty high compared to the rest of the state. There are around 34,000 residents that live in Chester, with nearly 36% of the population being under the poverty line.
The jobs that do exist in Chester do not pay well at all, which has led several of its residents to be unemployed. The residents of Chester have also seen a rise in crime over the past couple of years, and the population is dwindling because of it. This is one city you should avoid.
Mendota, California
Mendota is located in central California and is considered to be the worst city in the state. This small city has several residents living under the poverty line, and many are struggling to pay off their rent despite the low housing costs.
Mendota can be quite boring as there isn't much to do in the city, and many of the restaurants have long since closed down. Mendota is a pretty miserable place to live and should be avoided if you are looking for a new home. Mendota has also seen a spike in crime lately, making this one of the worst cities in California.
Mayfield, Kentucky
When it comes to the great state of Kentucky, Mayfield is considered to be the most miserable city to live in. Mayfield is riddled with crime and has seen an increase in burglaries and grand theft auto as many residents are well below the poverty line.
There are around 10,000 residents that live in Mayfield, but that number has been dropping as many people want to have a better quality of life. The average wage is around $26,000, while the average living cost in Mayfield is $46,000, so people are really struggling to make a living.
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton is considered to be the most miserable city in the state of New Jersey as the poverty rate is pretty high, along with crime. New Jersey doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to good cities, and it is no different with Bridgeton, as residents find it quite difficult to live there.
Since crime is always something that you have to worry about, Bridgeton has a low quality of life which has led the population to decline in the city. Unemployment is on the rise as several businesses resorted to moving, making it even harder to make a good living in Bridgeton.
Gallup, New Mexico
When it comes to the great state of New Mexico, Gallup is considered to be the most miserable city in the state. Gallup is a very small city that is home to a population of 22,000 residents. Gallup's population has been decreasing over the past couple of years as there aren't many job opportunities.
Since there isn't much work available, the city of Gallup has noticed a spike in crime as people are looking for other ways to make money. Gallup doesn't have many grocery stores located within the city, making it even harder to get a good meal on the table.
Green River, Wyoming
The last city on the list is located in Wyoming and is considered to be the most miserable city in the state. Green River is considered to be a terrible place to live, but it is far better than most cities on the list. The reason why Green River is a miserable city is because of the limited amount of things to do and the number of jobs located within the area.
Residents of Green River have to commute long distances in order to have a good-paying job, and places such as grocery stores and gas stations are few and far between. Green River might be the most pleasant place to live out of all the cities on this list.
Gary, Indiana
The city of Gary is considered to be the most miserable city to live in in Indiana, as many of its residents live below the poverty line. Gary used to be a booming city as it is located off the southern shore of Lake Michigan, but sadly over the years, the city has dwindled.
Gary is considered to be pretty miserable to live in because it is hard to find a good living, and the rise in crime has led many to feel that they don't want to live in Gary anymore. Residents are leaving each year, making this city feel dead with each passing year.
Sweet Home, Oregon
Sweet Home might look like a beautiful city to live in, but it is considered to be the most miserable city in Oregon. Sweet Home has a high unemployment rate, and the average yearly salary is significantly low for the cost of living within the city.
The good thing about Sweet Home is that there isn't a rise in crime like you normally see in other declining cities in America. Despite having its perks, Sweet Home should be the last choice on your list if you are looking to live in Oregon, as there are several better cities to choose from.
Box Elder, South Dakota
Box Elder is considered to be the most miserable city in South Dakota, but it is far better than most cities on this list. The crime and poverty rates in the city are quite low, and the only reason that it is ranked as the state's worst to live in is because of the high cost of living and that there isn't much to do within the city.
When it comes to entertainment within Elder Box, there isn't much to look forward to, and because of it, many people are moving out of the city each year.