This is the Worst City to Live in California
The COVID-19 pandemic was a public health crisis that sent shockwaves through the U.S. economy — and the country’s social fabric. In addition to claiming over half a million American lives, the pandemic sent unemployment soaring and exacerbated existing problems, as drug overdoses and crime rates spiked in some parts of the country.
Even before the pandemic, however, there were cities and towns already grappling with severe social and economic distress. These communities have long struggled with challenges such as high unemployment, poverty, crime, drug misuse, and limited access to essential services.
Based on a weighted index of two-dozen social and economic measures, 24/7 Wall St. identified the worst place to live in every state. We considered cities, towns, villages, and census designated places home to at least 8,000 people.
Based on a range of key socio-economic measures, California City ranks as the worst place to live in California.The city of about 14,000 residents located in the southern half of the state has one of the worst job markets in the country. Over the last five years, an average of 19.1% of the labor force were unemployed, more than triple the 6.0% statewide average over that time. The high unemployment is likely attributable in part to the relative lack of local businesses. There are a far lower than average concentration of places like bars, restaurants, hotels, gyms, theaters relative to the population in California City than there are nationwide.
Home values can be indicative of a given area’s desirability. In California City, the typical home is worth $124,500 — a fraction of the median home value across the state as a whole of over half a million dollars.
Our index is composed of data across four categories: affordability, economy, quality of life, and community. Data is all for the most recent year available and came from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, The Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other sources. This is the worst city to live in every state.
PlaceMedian home value ($)Unemployment rate (%)Poverty rate (%)Alabama: Atmore94,30015.734.6Alaska: Fairbanks211,5007.711.0Arizona: Douglas100,30011.430.1Arkansas: Helena-West Helena73,40011.845.2California: California City124,50019.124.1Colorado: Pueblo141,0008.423.5Connecticut: Hartford165,30012.028.1Delaware: Wilmington168,0008.426.0Florida: Florida City153,10014.040.0Georgia: Albany99,80013.730.8Hawaii: Makaha404,90012.731.0Idaho: Mountain Home144,2006.616.4Illinois: Sauk Village70,40016.331.8Indiana: Gary66,10012.430.6Iowa: Fort Madison81,6008.915.9Kansas: Coffeyville55,8006.029.3Kentucky: Mayfield100,20011.634.7Louisiana: Opelousas98,1008.843.3Maine: Sanford183,8006.413.9Maryland: Baltimore160,1008.321.2Massachusetts: Holyoke195,8006.029.3Michigan: Highland Park45,70022.646.5Minnesota: Virginia92,2006.425.5Mississippi: Yazoo City70,90020.544.8Missouri: St. Louis138,7007.021.8Montana: Havre149,3006.617.8Nebraska: Scottsbluff116,6006.418.0Nevada: Fernley221,2005.89.9New Hampshire: Berlin92,1008.018.5New Jersey: Bridgeton109,2006.931.2New Mexico: Gallup132,0007.428.4New York: Binghamton91,00010.432.6North Carolina: Reidsville103,5009.524.3North Dakota: Jamestown144,8003.214.7Ohio: East Cleveland58,10018.837.5Oklahoma: McAlester101,6006.919.5Oregon: Klamath Falls159,5009.322.7Pennsylvania: McKeesport48,00012.131.4Rhode Island: Central Falls159,1006.830.2South Carolina: Lancaster141,60018.035.3South Dakota: Huron91,9001.619.7Tennessee: Memphis101,8008.725.1Texas: Robstown64,00015.438.4Utah: Price144,7007.721.9Vermont: Barre158,3007.422.8Virginia: Petersburg108,10011.724.1Washington: Tukwila315,0007.617.2West Virginia: Huntington98,2006.832.3Wisconsin: Beloit89,9008.823.1Wyoming: Rawlins171,7005.311.0
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