Special Report
The Most Miserable Cities in America, According to Residents
Published:
Last Updated:
2020 was one of the most challenging years in recent history. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the lives of millions of people, happiness was not an easy measure to quantify. It’s also highly individual. What makes a person happy is influenced by different factors that may frequently change, depending on social, financial, and health status.
There is no doubt that the pandemic has tested us in many ways. Many have had to face financial, domestic, health, and other challenges as a result. What people may not realize is that where they live may have an effect on how happy they are.
To identify the most miserable cities in America, according to residents, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the happiness score of all 383 metro areas in the U.S. from digital health company Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index. The index measures whether individuals feel a sense of purpose, have supportive relationships, are financially secure, satisfied with their community, and are in good physical health. Sharecare surveyed more than 450,000 U.S. adults on five domains of individual well-being and analyzed more than 600 elements of social determinants of health from additional data sources.
The South appears to be the region with the most cities where residents feel unhappy. Though Sharecare’s data shows resilience and improvement in well-being in many places, happiness gaps have persisted in rural areas, and, in many cases, such gaps have even increased.
Counties in non-metro areas scored lower on the Index’s 100-point scale than counties in metro areas in happiness. Metro counties scored higher for all domains except community resources such as libraries and churches.
Not only has the COVID-19 pandemic made many people feel less happy than previous years, but it has caused the average person’s stress level to increase significantly. Read about how stress and other things can lead to memory loss and brain shrinkage.
Click here for the 50 most miserable cities, according to residents
50. Dalton, GA
[in-text-ad]
49. Morristown, TN
24/7 Wall St.
48. Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ
47. Fort Smith, AR-OK
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Jacksonville, NC
45. Grants Pass, OR
[in-text-ad]
44. Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA
43. Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS
42. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
[in-text-ad-2]
41. Texarkana, TX-AR
40. Visalia-Porterville, CA
[in-text-ad]
39. Rocky Mount, NC
24/7 Wall St.
38. Clarksville, TN-KY
37. Terre Haute, IN
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Merced, CA
35. Lawton, OK
[in-text-ad]
34. Pueblo, CO
33. Laredo, TX
32. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
[in-text-ad-2]
31. Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
30. Battle Creek, MI
[in-text-ad]
29. Yuba City, CA
24/7 Wall St.
28. Michigan City-La Porte, IN
27. Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY
[in-text-ad-2]
26. Ocala, FL
25. Cumberland, MD-WV
[in-text-ad]
24. Valdosta, GA
24/7 Wall St.
23. Jackson, MI
22. Madera, CA
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Hot Springs, AR
20. Muskegon, MI
[in-text-ad]
19. Longview, WA
18. Manhattan, KS
17. Sebring, FL
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Hinesville, GA
15. Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ
[in-text-ad]
14. Beckley, WV
24/7 Wall St.
13. Goldsboro, NC
12. Hanford-Corcoran, CA
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ
10. Carbondale-Marion, IL
[in-text-ad]
9. Homosassa Springs, FL
8. Brownsville-Harlingen, TX
7. Hammond, LA
[in-text-ad-2]
6. El Centro, CA
5. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX
[in-text-ad]
4. Las Cruces, NM
3. Sumter, SC
2. Farmington, NM
[in-text-ad-2]
1. Pine Bluff, AR
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
