15 of the Most Miserable US Cities to Live In

Life in a city isn’t always glamorous. This is especially true for anyone living in a city where daily infrastructure challenges make everyday life a true struggle. These cities exist across the U.S., unknowingly contributing to the difficult lives their citizens are attempting to live. Some of these locations were once thriving, but many now find themselves dealing with multiple daunting issues that make these cities simply miserable places.

247 Tempo takes a hard look at some of these cities, places where a combination of factors makes life especially difficult for the people who live there. We ensured that each location listed has a population of at least 100,000, and regional issues are discussed in detail, giving a full picture of these miserable cities within the United States.

Sources used for this slideshow include data from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI crime reports, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and environmental rankings from organizations like the American Lung Association. We also utilized local news archives and community satisfaction surveys to paint a full, complete picture. Let's dive into the details of why these cities are simply miserable to live in full-time.

Albuquerque absolutely struggles as a city, with one of the highest property crime rates recently recorded in the United States. While known for its beautiful desert landscapes, Albuquerque is actually built out of many neighborhoods that suffer from a complete lack of investment. Plus, job growth has been finicky for decades, with much of the population living at or below the poverty line. When paired with hot summers, limited public transit, and dull amenities, daily life in Albuquerque isn't much fun.

While conveniently located in Central California, Stockton declared bankruptcy in 2012 and continues to struggle with economic stability to this day. Crime and drug usage are also significantly above the national average, especially during summer months, when temperatures consistently exceed 100°F. The weather here truly contributes to discomfort as well as higher living costs in terms of utilities.

Gary once thrived as a steel town, but now suffers from widespread unemployment and urban decay, something plaguing the Rust Belt to this day. The city has one of the highest violent crime rates per capita in the U.S., and infrastructure is crumbling in many neighborhoods. Public services are reportedly stretched thin; plus, winters are cold and gray here, adding to the discomfort of Gary residents.

Memphis continually faces high poverty levels and a persistent crime problem. The city’s humid summers are equally oppressive and contribute to a myriad of health issues, especially among its older populations. Public transportation is also reportedly limited, forcing most of Memphis's residents to own a car in order to get around. While jobs do exist and are trending upward, many are low-paying and have little opportunity for growth.

Birmingham is currently dealing with an economic plateau as well as a struggling healthcare system. Air quality is poor here thanks to industrial locations throughout the city, something only made worse by Birmingham's extreme weather. Many residents admit Birmingham's lack of cultural and recreational amenities is a downside, making it a deflating place to live overall.

Flint earned its unfortunate place in the national spotlight due to its terrible water crisis, an event that exposed thousands of residents to lead-contaminated water. The economic downturn, unfortunately, persists in other forms. Job prospects remain dismal, and public trust in the government remains low because of the water crisis, creating an overall sense of hopelessness within this city.

Milwaukee faces long and bitterly cold winters, making both commuting and overall city maintenance a chore every single year. Upticks in uncontrolled crime, traffic accidents, and a lack of access to high-quality healthcare and reliable employment contribute to the city’s ongoing struggles. Many residents find it difficult to stay for long despite their best efforts, making moving away a smarter move in the long run.

St. Louis has similar struggles to the rest of these cities, with violent crime, segregation, and decades of population decline to blame for its miserable status. There's a significant lack of access to quality schools or grocery stores, piling onto St. Louis's overall neglect. If that wasn't enough, the weather swings between humid, stormy summers and icy winters, making yearly living difficult here, at best.

Jackson’s has out-of-date and aging infrastructure that frequently fails, leading to boil-water notices and outages across its boundaries. Public schools are also woefully underfunded, and healthcare access is limited in Jackson's poorer neighborhoods, making its infrastructure issues all the more concerning. Extreme heat and humidity make summers particularly unpleasant, and crime tends to rise during these hot months.

While Maryland tends to maintain a higher quality of life compared to other states, Baltimore is plagued by gun violence and a lack of opportunities in many areas. The city deals with government corruption and seasonal weather extremes, with all of these factors exacerbating Baltimore's poor living conditions. Despite its strong tourist scene and palpable history, many neighborhoods remain underserved, leading to a miserable base population within city boundaries.

Shreveport faces rising crime rates and economic stagnation, despite its best efforts to revitalize the area. Flooding and extreme weather events occur regularly due to its Gulf Coast location, and hurricanes are a major reason for this area's decline. Many residents report dissatisfaction with their local government because of their lack of transparency, assistance with public resources, and many other interconnected issues. The job market also has little to offer in terms of high-paying or stable positions, making New Orleans a smarter move for most residents leaving town.

Newark has long battled poverty, crime, and many other difficulties, given its large population and proximity to Manhattan. Noisy Newark International is a true bummer, and additional pollution from nearby highways impact residents' quality of life. Housing is also ridiculously expensive relative to the average income, even in undesirable neighborhoods. Although there are cultural outlets and nearby metro areas to enjoy and work in, many of Newark's neighborhoods lack safe, inviting public spaces.

Cleveland has brutal winters and a stagnant job market that drives away younger residents who could take advantage of its affordable housing market. Many boroughs of the city are still recovering from years of decline and still maintain limited access to healthcare and fresh food. Bus routes and overall transit are also inadequate for a city this size, and crime remains a concern in several locations. Ultimately, Cleveland is a miserable place to consider moving to if you're shopping around for a new city to call home.

North Las Vegas has surprisingly high unemployment rates and limited public infrastructure compared to its neighboring cities. Scorching summer temperatures and a lack of green space diminish the overall quality of life in the state in general, but especially just north of Las Vegas. Many locals opt for commuting long distances for better jobs or basic services, such as primary health care and affordable groceries. Despite being close to Vegas, the northern edges of the city offer few entertainment or recreational options of its own.

Anchorage's extreme winter conditions with limited daylight during much of the year contributes to deadly bouts of seasonal depression and the overall miserable living situation of this place. Any and all job opportunities are heavily tied to government or resource extraction, limiting the types of options available, especially for those just entering the work field. Plus, mental health and substance abuse issues remain a major concern in the community, with little government assistance in sight. When paired with supply chain issues and other problems that arise due to Anchorage's geographical placement, this city will likely continue to struggle for years to come.