Crime, Poverty, & Disasters: The Most Miserable Cities In The United States
It's a sad fact, but not all cities in the United States are destinations for those looking to make a move in their life. Have it be the crime rate, a cities affinity for natural disasters, or the fact that it was unable to rebuild after an economic crash; not all cities are created equal.
From Danville, Virginia, on the east coast to Lancaster, California, on the west coast, here are some of the most miserable cities in the US.
San Bernardino, California
Don't let the state of California fool you; San Bernardino isn't exactly a place to lay down roots. The city is considered one of the most poverty-stricken cities in the US, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with 30% of its occupants living under the poverty line.
And that's not even taking into consideration the high crime rate; something San Bernardino has struggled with for years. According to the Morgan Quitno Press, this particular California city is one of the most dangerous in the country.
Macon, Georgia
Time hasn't been great to the city of Macon, Georgia. From 2010-2018 the city lost 1.7% of its 153,000 person population. And it's no secret as to why those people wanted to get out of the city.
In Macon, 26% of people are living in poverty with dilapidated homes and overgrown yards. According to some residents who live in the city still, Macon is losing its race against blight, and they don't have the recourses to stop it.
Pasadena, Texas
Even in a year like 2021, Pasadena, Texas, is still living back in the times of the Civil War. In the northern part of the city are the Latino people, while the southern-most part of the city houses white families.
Race issues, social class differences, and not to mention the headquarters of the Ku Klux Klan, Pasadena, Texas, isn't even one of the cities that's okay to drive through. It's okay to ditch this one altogether.
Reading, Pennsylvania
According to the 2010 census, Reading, Pennsylvania, has one of the highest percentages of people living in poverty in a city of more than 65,000 in the entire country, at a solid 36%. The following year, the city of Reading was declared the poorest small city in the US.
After a mass closing of the city's factories and industry, more than 44% of households had to resort to food stamps. Life there cannot be easy.
Plainfield, New Jersey
For people who don't like other people, West New York, New Jersey, is not the place to visit. It is estimated that there are 52,800 people per square mile in the whole city, making it one of the more densely populated areas in the country.
Not only that, but the town is growing, even with 22% of the population lying under the poverty line. Even without that percentage, the sheer number of people per square mile sounds miserable.
Lancaster, California
A desert city with a weirdly high population of over 160,000, Lancaster, California isn't what people should think of when they think of the Golden Coast. With little else to do in the secluded area, issues with drug addiction have run ramped and the poverty rate is at a startling 23%.
And while Mayor R. Rex Parris is doing what he can to revamp the city's image, it still has a long way to go. Needless to say, this Lancaster isn't a tourist destination for those visiting California.
Huntington, West Virginia
First off, Huntington, West Virginia, is a coal mining town, so the people there are most likely going to have some underlying lung issues, which sounds horrible. On top of that, the city is wildly considered one of the most unhealthy in the country.
According to a Fox News article, more than half of the adults in the area are obese, with the city leading the charge in cases surrounding heart disease and diabetes.
St. Louis, Missouri
Unfortunately, when it comes to St. Louis, Missouri, crime and the city kind of go hand in hand. The city is stark with gun violence, with gun-related deaths rising 33% since 2015. With that statistic, it's no wonder people are leaving. From 2010-2018, a solid 5% of the city's almost 303,000 people have found homes elsewhere.
While the past and present mayors have been making crime their number one priority, the city is still poverty-stricken and violent, even in 2021.
Hemet, California
Ever since the 2008 recession, Hemet, California, has gone downhill very fast. Once a promising community, Hemet has around 23% of people living in poverty, even with its low-income housing that has brought people to the city.
Unfortunately, cheap housing sometimes brings not-so-great people, and the crime rate in Hemet has shot through the roof. In 2016 alone, 398 aggravated assaults were logged, 170 robberies were reported, and 623 cars were stolen off the streets. Not exactly a family-friends area. And, hello, it's prone to wildfires!
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport, Louisiana, doesn't really have a lot going for it. Aside from its natural beauty, this particular southern city is riddled with crime-related violence, including aggravated assault, something that doubled from 2015 to 2016.
On top of that, the city is prone to flooding from the neighboring Red River, and the 26% of people living in poverty don't exactly have the funds to reconstruct their already delipidated homes and yards.
Youngstown, Ohio
Once a proud steel manufacturing city with a population of 170,000, Youngstown, Ohio, has since become a deteriorating town of 65,000 people. Of those people, a startling 37% live below the poverty line.
Interestingly, Youngstown is also a haven for organized crime and is considered to be pretty corrupt. According to The New Republic, everyone from the chief of police and the force to the county engineer and several defense attorneys is run by the local mob.
Danville, Virginia
Ever since its tobacco and textile mills shut down, Danville, Virginia, went from one of the richest towns in the Piedmont area to one of the poorest. With 21% of the 40,000 person population now living in poverty, it's no wonder people are looking to move elsewhere.
Between 2010 and 2018, around 5.5% of the population left Danville, looking for work and a new life elsewhere. Thankfully, the town is doing its best to turn things around.
Jackson, Mississippi
Mississippi might be full of southern charm, but the city of Jackson is just sad to think about. Not only is 29% of the population living under the poverty level, but in February of 2021, more than 20,000 homes were threatened with getting their water turned off due to $45 million worth of unpaid utility bills across the city.
In 2020, the city's homicide rate reached an all-time high with 79.69 homicides per 100,000 residents.
Mansfield, Ohio
Since the loss of the industrial age of work in Mansfield, Ohio, not to mention the closing of the GM factory in 2010, more and more jobs have been lost, bringing the poverty rate in the city up to 24%.
With people looking for an easy way to put food on the table, the crime rate has surged to an all-time high in the city, too, rising 37% from 2012 to 2017.
Cleveland, Ohio
Once considered the "best location in the nation" by businesses, Cleveland, Ohio, has since had a major downturn in appeal. Since losing its manufacturing industry, a solid percent of Cleveland's population lives in poverty, a solid 35%. And the crime rate has also risen, namely gun violence.
And the fact that Forbes named the place one of the most miserable cities in the United States doesn't really do much for Cleveland's character.
Harlingen, Texas
Dry, hot, and known to have little to no rainfall, Harlingen, Texas, isn't for the faint of heart. Not only does around 30% of the population live under the poverty line, but now they're experiencing something that hasn't ever really been a point of worry.
In recent years, Harlingen has experienced an absurd amount of flooding. Call it global warming or call it bad luck, but a good chunk of the estimated 65,000 residents living there don't have easy lives.
Anderson, Indiana
Since the closing of the GM motor factories in Anderson, Indiana, more than 23,000 people have lost their jobs. According to the Indiana Business Review, the city is leaning towards a negative economic trend. The journal stated that due to the downward spiral in the city's economy, there would be an "acceleration in the number of food stamp recipients."
Due to mass unemployment, around 25% of the city's population lives under the poverty line.
Fort Pierce, Florida
When people think of the sandy beaches of Florida, Fort Pierce doesn't come to mind. not only does 36% of the population live in poverty, but the city has to reapply sand to its beaches every so often because of erosion.
One a prominent citrus farming town, many of the orchards have been shut down due to disease. Now, people are just trying to get by in the tiny hurricane-prone city located between the big cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Union City, New Jersey
In 2010, Union City, New Jersey, was named the most densely populated city in the country, with 54,138 people per square mile. For people who enjoy precious “me time,” this is one miserable city. Not to mention 23% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Thankfully, Union City has gotten a bit better over the years. In 2015, it was even named one of the best small cities to live in by AARP.
Georgia Is Too Expensive
While it might come as a surprise to see Georgia on this list, there is a reason. People tend to visit Georgia, typically Atlanta, but they don't move there. On the contrary, it seems people are trying to leave the state. What it comes down to are expenses.
Governing magazine acknowledged that rent costs were up 28% in the city since 2000, compared to the nine percent raise in other states around the country. In 2018, A HotPads report found that the renting prices were rising three times faster than that of other cities. It’s no wonder people want to find other places to settle down!
Saginaw, Michigan
Cold, icy, and was it mentioned it's cold? Saginaw doesn't have the same charm as other cities across Michigan. In the late 20th century, industry throughout the city rapidly declined, leading to a huge surge in unemployment. Now, around 34% of the population lives in poverty.
The city's recent population loss has also given way to urban blight, with people abandoning their homes and criminals using the buildings as their "bases of operation." Saginaw is just a domino effect, with the last piece being overall hardship.
Compton, California
While Compton, California, is in no way as dangerous as it was back in the 1970s, the city still isn't' the greatest and is in no way a place people want to visit on vacation. Riddled with gang violence, a high poverty level of 23%, and a whole lot of unemployment, Compton is arguably one of the more miserable cities in the country.
Of course, people from Compton are loyal to the city to their very core.
Hammond, Indiana
Unfortunately for Hammon, Indiana, the one thing keeping its residence employed is the very same thing that’s making it one of the most polluted cities in the country. Since Hammond came to be, its main focus has been industry, meaning a whole lot of smokey factories.
The thing is, all of the factories have done a number in terms of air and water pollution, a huge concern for the 76,000 people living there.
Cicero, Illinois
Since the 1920s, when Al Capone used Cicero, Illinois, as “his own private playground,” the city has lived up to the phrase. Known for its long-running issue with government corruption, the most recent scandal should have its 81,500 residents making other living arrangements.
Town President Betty Loren-Maltes took $12 million in funds. He’s currently getting cozy in federal prison. Sorry, but that little mishap is awful for overall town morale and isn't a way to get people to visit or live there.
Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah, Florida, is a good lesson in “just because a place is located on the coast, that doesn’t mean it is a good or even an active city.” In fact, in 2018, WalletHub went ahead and put together a bunch of finance data, including average monthly fitness club fees, number of fitness centers per capita, and the amount of physically inactive adults, to name a few.
Their result: Hialeah, Florida, is one of the worst cities in the country to have an active lifestyle.
Brownsville, Texas
With 35% of residents living below the poverty line, Brownsville, Texas, is often cited by sources as being one of the most impoverished cities in the country. On top of that, the city is located right on the border, making it one of America's most heavily patrolled areas.
That's not exactly something that says, "come and visit this city; it's super fun and inviting." It's actually one of the main reasons residents have trouble selling their homes.
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Don't let the fact that the popular Rutgers University is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey because that and some of the local eateries are the only things the city has going for it.
This particular city in New Jersey has one of the highest poverty rates, a staggering 37%, with only 54% of the total population actually having jobs. Not to mention that gun control has all but gone out the window. Since 2017, gun violence has risen 67%.
Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey, has a bad reputation for being one of the most dangerous cities in the country, with NeighborhoodScout naming it one of the top five most dangerous since it began the list.
With the average household income at $26,105 and the 37% of residents under the poverty line, there is only so much Camden can do to dig itself out of its very deep hole. Thankfully, it sounds as though crime is slowly decreasing, with only 22 homicides in 2017—the lowest number since the 80s.
Huntington Park, California
It's no surprise Business Insider ranked Huntington Park, California, the number tenth-most miserable city in the county. It has a staggeringly low average household income of $36,397 and high a poverty rate of 28%.
Even so, the city is considered a "working-class and immigrant haven," according to The Los Angeles Times, as the housing is affordable. Many of the residents aren't here legally, making the local governments slow to offer their support.
Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan, really can't catch a break. In the mid-2000s, it became known as one of the most crime-ridden and dangerous cities in the country. On top of that, from 2002 to 2004 and from 2011 to 2015, the city was under a state of financial emergency.
Now, they're in the middle of a public health emergency due to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia, and lead-contaminated water.
Gary, Indiana
One a booming place of manufacturing, Gary, Indiana, is now nothing more than a has-been town whose best days are long gone. During an interview with The Guardian, a Drug Enforcement Agent who grew up in the town laid it all out.
He said, "We used to be the [killing] capital of the US, but there is hardly anybody left to kill. We used to be the drug capital of the US, but for that, you need money, and there aren't jobs or things to steal here."
Iowa Is "Just A Boring State To Live In"
The sunsets over Iowa's cornfields are something to behold, and its job market and cities are continuing to grow, but none of that is keeping residents within the state’s borders. People 44 and younger are leaving Iowa in search of better job opportunities and a lifestyle change, while older people are leaving for retirement.
According to United Van Lines, "68.22 percent are moving out of the state to find employment, while 12.4 percent are leaving for retirement." Then there’s one Reddit user that complained about “the states weather extremes, poorly funded public schools, and crumbling infrastructure, and that Iowa’s is a boring state to live in.”
Rhode Island Has A High Cost Of Living
As the smallest state in the United States by area, Rhode Island is seeing a large outflow of people. While there are many reasons people are leaving the Ocean State, a majority leave for a few simple reasons, namely the cost of living and jobs. The cost of living in Rhode Island is extremely high, so if a job opportunity comes up, people tend to take it.
Also, retirees flock from the state in search of warmer and cheaper pastures. A 2018 Nation Movers Study by United Van Lines said, "the primary reason for them leaving was for jobs. Others left for family, lifestyle, or retirement reasons."
Maine Residents Want To Retire Somewhere Warmer
Maine is a beautiful coastal state with lovely ports, mountains, and wilderness as far as the eye can see. But people aren't exactly looking to make the state their home. Most residents, especially the elderly that account for 59 percent of the population, move out of Maine’s borders in search of finding somewhere else a bit warmer to call home.
Long-time Maine resident Elsa K. wrote on Quora, "It gets cold during the winter. And windy and snowy. I’m from northern Iceland, and the winters in Maine aren’t as long or dark as in Iceland, they are colder and snowier."
Minnesota Has Horrible Weather
Minnesota is one of those states where you have to love the cold and snow to live there happily since it is one of the chilliest states in the country. The Land of 10,000 Lakes had a nice three-year stretch of people flocking to its frozen landscape, but that came to a halt in 2019. And it's not just because of the weather.
According to 98.1 Minnesota’s New Country, "62.43 percent of people moved out of the state for different jobs. And17.99 percent of people left because of retirement. Everyone knows someone who snowbirds down to a warmer state for the winter!"
Oklahoma Has Fewer And Fewer Jobs
Unfortunately for Oklahoma, Americans are no longer interested in flocking to the state to see its wide-open prairies and forests. The past few years have debunked a ten-year trend of people coming into the state. Now, more people seem to be leaving Oklahoma after college.
Vice president at the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Chad Wilkerson, says, "that a driving force in recent out-migration from the state has been relatively fewer job opportunities than in some other parts of the country following the oil price drop of 2014-2015."
North Dakota Residents Don't Enjoy The Lifestyle
It probably doesn't come as much a surprise that North Dakota is one of the least populated states in the country. The sparse population isn’t even due to a lack of employment opportunities. On the contrary, it’s said that if a person moves there, they will most certainly find a job.
It’s more so the lifestyle that has people adverse to moving to The Peace Garden State. United Van Lines says, "The most common reason to leave North Dakota – cited by nearly 61 percent of those who move out – is the lifestyle." Someone on Quora wrote, “every state has something interesting about it. What’s interesting about North Dakota?”
Mississippi Has One Of The Highest Unemployment Rates
There is a lot to be admired about Mississippi — the southern culture and the people for instance. But the Magnolia State suffers from one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Tack on the humid weather, bugs, and overall stickiness, and people are not exactly jumping at the opportunity to move to Mississippi.
During a healthcare and economic summit in 2018, a Tradition report stated that "When we analyze population estimates by age, we see Mississippi is losing people at the age when they would be entering their prime earning years, while other states are gaining them." According to Census data, Mississippi is losing millennials at a rapid rate.
Arkansas Struggles With Poverty
Ironically, Arkansas is known as "The Land of Opportunity," but struggles with poverty and unemployment. While the state boasts beautiful parks, wilderness areas, and a great university, nearly 71 percent of the state's residents flee in search of work.
The Washington Post reported, “[in 2018] the state became the first to require Medicaid recipients to hold jobs, and thousands lost their health insurance in the months that followed. Critics of the Medicaid move say Arkansas doesn’t have enough work to go around.”
West Virginia Has A Dwindling Economy
West Virginia attracts visitors with its soaring mountains and flowing rivers, but the dwindling economy has young people flocking to other states. With the state's opioid crisis, the unemployment rate is one of the highest in the country. The ever-decreasing population can’t support businesses that would otherwise expand to West Virginia and make job opportunities.
Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at WVU, John Deskins, says, "population growth is part of making the state attractive to potential businesses. A business has to be confident it’s going to find workers it needs before it locates in an area." This is a vicious cycle.
Pennsylvania Retirees Would Prefer Less Snow
As young people move into Pennsylvania, older people are flocking to warmer states. In 2019, the state saw 240,832 of its residents leave, per The Center Square. And while Pennsylvania has a lot to be admired, such as the affordable living and the sports teams, a vast majority of retirees would rather move somewhere with less snow and wind chill.
Pew Charitable Trusts released a study saying, "What is clear is that there is not one overarching reason for relocating. Most of those who left Philadelphia characterized themselves as not fleeing, but, rather, as seeking new opportunities elsewhere."
Missouri Doesn't Have Enough Work
While Missouri is called the "Gateway to the West" due to the huge archway that dominates the skyline, residents seem to move through other gateways and on to other states. The reasons for people leaving the state are simple. With factories closing, there aren't enough jobs.
According to moneywise, “Jobs are the reason behind 63 percent of the moves.” And the Bureau of Labor Statistics states that “factories have been closing around Kansas City, causing that metro area to lose 1.9 percent of its manufacturing jobs over the past year.”
Utah Doesn't Have Job Opportunities
Utah is actually a popular retirement location, with its national parks and snowcapped mountains. That being said, the state has a difficult time keeping its younger residents. Job opportunities have been cited as reasons for 65 percent of outbound moves, while another reason is the rising house prices.
According to a 2019 quarterly report conducted by the National Association of Realtors, "the median price for an existing single-family home in Salt Lake City has climbed eight percent over the last year to a stiff $358,000."
Michigan Jobs Don't Have Good Pay
While Michigan has 3,300 miles of coastline and beautiful parks, residents aren't fooled. Michigan has harsh weather conditions, making elderly people search out other states for their retirements. And as far as young people are concerned, they’re flocking to other states in search of better-paying jobs and opportunities.
According to Bridge Magazine, "While the state offers job opportunities in computers, math, and management, it’s got even more lover-paying work – such as in food preparation, paying under $20,000 per year." The lack of meaningful work leads highly-educated young people to develop “brain drain,” says the Joint Economic Committee, which causes them to search for better opportunities elsewhere.
Kentucky's Minimum Wage Is $7.25
Kentucky's sweeping bluegrass landscape is not enough to keep residents from moving out of the state. With one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, residents are leaving in search of jobs that pay more than the minimum wage of $7.25. Yes, that’s what the minimum wage has been for the past ten years in the state!
According to a United Van Lines report, "More than half the people who move out of Kentucky are leaving to take a better job somewhere else." Thankfully, Kentucky officials have stated that more job opportunities will open up in the coming years.
Hawaii Is Too Expensive
Hawaii is arguably one of the nation's most beautiful states. With its white-sand beaches, jungle-like landscape, and beautiful mountains, it’s obvious why tourists love visiting. But those tourists never want to stay for more than a few weeks, and wouldn’t consider living there for an extended period. This is mainly due to the ridiculously high price that is tacked onto island living.
Ex-Hawaii resident Michael Hernandez, says, "The only way that I would return to Hawaii is if I hit the lottery [in Florida] and could make enough to move my family and retire. However, that seems almost impossible with just how much more everything costs on the island."
Maryland Is An Expensive State To Settle Down
Maryland is known for its rich history, good quality of life, and numerous outdoor activities, but those factors aren't keeping residents from leaving the state. People are venturing to other parts of the nation because of the high cost of living in Maryland, job opportunities, and retirement.
According to a United Van Lines report in 2018, 49.76 percent of people are leaving because of employment opportunities elsewhere, while 21.74 percent of residents are searching for a place to retire. The population of Baltimore is said to be at a 100-year low!
Ohio's Young People Are Flocking To More Vibrant Cities
For many people living in coastal states, Ohio offers a nice change of pace with a lower cost of living and welcoming residents. And while plenty of people are moving to Ohio, more are trying to leave the state. A majority of the moves are job-based, due to Ohio's low employment rate and slow industry growth.
According to United Van Lines, "the biggest reason [people are leaving] by far is jobs, at 60.75 percent." Michael Stoll, chair of the Department of Public Policy at UCLA, says, “[We’re seeing] young professionals migrating to more vibrant, metropolitan economies like Washington D.C. and Seattle.”
Virginia Is Being Left For Retirement
Even with its beautiful beaches, mountains, and low taxes, people are moving out of Virginia. Ironically, the state is considered to be one of the best for retirees because of the previously mentioned aspects. And yet, seniors are the majority age bracket that is leaving Virginia.
But retirement isn't the only reason people are moving out; job opportunities are another factor. According to the Nation Movers Study by United Van Lines, 23.54 percent of people are moving for retirement, while 48.25 percent are moving for new employment opportunities.
New Jersey's Property Tax Is Very High
The Garden State has a coastline of beaches, some of the best pizza in the nation, family suburbs, and tasty local produce. But none of that is stopping people from leaving New Jersey. Although residents from the tiny state are proud to be New Jerseyans, they are moving in droves because of the property taxes and weather.
According to United Van Lines, "people are moving out [of New Jersey] faster than from any other state. More than a third flee the state because of job opportunities elsewhere, and an equal share leaves to find greener pastures for retirement."
Wisconsin Has Harsh Winters
Even though Wisconsin's low cost of living and steady employment growth is attractive to people, it’s not stopping residents from packing up their Green Bay Packers cheesehead hats and moving on out. It’s not surprising that people are moving away since the state has one of the harshest winters in the country.
According to the National Weather Service, "In the entire state’s recorded weather history, every winter but five, [when it] hit temperatures of at least 30 below zero." In 2018, it was reported that more than half of those who moved out were ages 55 and older, probably wanting to retire somewhere warmer!
Nebraska Has Too Many "No Experience Necessary" Jobs
While Nebraska is home to Warren Buffet, the state isn't exactly one that has people flocking to it for its lovely weather and surrounding natural attractions. It’s quite the opposite, actually. People are leaving the state in search of better job opportunities and weather that doesn’t change every five minutes, as residents joke.
A United Van Lines report stated, "A hefty 70 percent of those who move out of Nebraska are leaving in search of work." Something called “brain drain” is prevalent among residents due to the lack of high-paying jobs and the abundance of minimum-wage, no-experience necessary positions.
Montana Residents Move To Be Closer To Family
With its beautiful open landscape, mountains, and fresh air, it's hard to believe people willingly leave Montana. And while A-list celebrities are beginning to buy vacation homes in the state, locals are packing up their bags and leaving. Unlike other states on this list, the reason for leaving isn’t because of jobs or weather, but to be closer to family.
According to the radio station 107.5, "55 percent of all moves are to leave the state. The biggest reason for people leaving Montana is family." With people living on secluded plots of land, it makes sense that they might want to move closer to family, even out of state.
California Isn't All Golden
California is the land of beautiful people and one of the best climates in the nation. With palm tree-lined roads and beaches stretching up and down the coast, it's hard for people to not enjoy the Golden State.
That being said, more people are leaving the state than ever before because of the cost of living and the annoyance that is traffic congestion on all California freeways. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey, "In 2018, approximately 691,000 people moved from California to another U.S. state."
Connecticut Isn't A Good State For Retirement
Connecticut's gorgeous beaches, lovely seasons, and charming towns attract many visitors each year, but the residents are hustling to leave. As taxes and the price of living rise and the pothole-littered streets get worse, people close to retirement can’t help but move on out of the state.
Considering the harsh winters and expensive lifestyle Connecticut has to offer, it’s no surprise that older people are looking for a warmer and cheaper living arrangement. According to United Van Lines, "People nearing retirement (ages 55 to 64) are most likely to move out of Connecticut. More than half of those who depart have incomes of $150,000 and up."
Massachusetts Is An Expensive State
The coastal state of Massachusetts is the perfect place to sit back and watch sailboats, enjoy a fresh lobster roll, and it also has a great school system. Unfortunately, the state is also known to be extremely expensive to live in, especially near the center hub of Boston.
According to the radio station 90.9 wbur, "The high cost of housing in the Boston area, both to buy and to rent, is another factor, forcing quality-of-life trade-offs that many prospective residents my not be willing to make." Tack on the harsh east coast winters and the horrible traffic congestion in the state, and it's no surprise people are leaving.
New York City Is Not The Place To Start A Family
While New York probably offers one of the most unique styles of living in the country, it comes at a high price. All of the food, culture, and busy lifestyle aren't worth the lack of job security in some of the rural towns, or the four-figure studio apartment rent in the city.
And while New York is a great place for young people, others who are trying to start a family flock to more affordable living situations. According to Bloomberg, "close to 300 people move out of New York every day." Now, that stat should tell you something!
Louisiana Has A Low Employment Rate
Louisiana is an appealing state for many reasons; its coastal location, delicious food, and unique culture are just a few. Even though those attractions are good for visitors, residents are trying their hardest to leave the low employment rate the state has to offer its locals.
According to the recent 2019 numbers given by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "After hitting a high in 2014, the number of people employed in Louisiana has decreased significantly. In fact, 4,801 fewer people are employed."
Kansas Doesn't Have Favorable Weather
While The Wizard of Oz's Dorothy once famously said, "there's no place like home," many people are following the yellow brick road directly out of Kansas. This isn’t due to high unemployment rates or affordability, both of which are very attractive when it comes to the Sunflower State.
Rather, people are leaving for other job opportunities away from the “windy with a chance of a tornado or two” weather. According to United Van Lines, 63.8 percent of people cited work as their reason for leaving Kansas.
Illinois Residents Are Leaving For The Sun Belt
Illinois has great farm produce, deep-dish pizza, awesome colleges and sports teams, and one of the coolest cities in America, Chicago. Even so, residents of the state are flocking to other parts of the nation. There are a few reasons why people are leaving, one being the state's high property taxes.
According to Governing magazine, "A 2016 poll by Southern Illinois University found that nearly half of Illinois residents wanted to move to another state, citing taxes, weather, ineffective and corrupt local government and a lack of middle-class jobs."
