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Just as there are nice places, there are some places considered as the worst places to live in the US.
This article shows us the worst places to live in the US, and why they are considered as such.
What is the definition of the worst place to live? Is it a high rate of crime, a high rate of poverty, a shortage of jobs, or something else entirely?
Some people may consider a state with few cities and a small population to be the worst place to live. Others may consider a highly populated state with high living costs to be the worst. Below is a list.
20. New Mexico
New Mexico is one of the most beautiful states in the country. It is also one of the most difficult to live in.
The crime rate in New Mexico is one of the most significant deterrents to moving there. It has violent crimes more than double the national average in 2018.
They concentrate crime in areas of poverty, and the poverty rate of New Mexico is about 20% (19.5%). Unsurprisingly, the unemployment rate is similarly high (4.9 percent, third highest in the country).
19. Oklahoma
Looking at a state’s population’s general health might help you decide if it’s a decent location to live or not. Unfortunately, the statistics shows Oklahoma is one of the worst states in the country to live in.
With 14.2 percent of Oklahomans living without insurance, this state has the second-lowest inurement rate in the country.
This, combined with a high poverty rate of 15.6%, does not make for an ideal living scenario. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the life expectancy rate here is one of the lowest in the country.
18. Nevada
They frequently associated lower education with a lower quality of life. In Nevada, just around a quarter of the population has achieved a bachelor’s degree. That wouldn’t make Nevada one of the worst places to live in on its own.
The state’s allocation of hospital resources and public health spending have aided its inclusion on our list.
Nevada ranks dead last in terms of primary care doctors per capita. Also, no state spends less on its inhabitants’ health than Nevada. Only $50 per person per year.
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With 11.2 percent of the population living without health insurance, Nevada has one of the highest rates of uninsured citizens in the country. As a result, residents of the state have a lower than average life expectancy.
Nevada has long had one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Albeit its poverty rate of 12.9 percent is slightly lower than that of some of the other states.
17. Tennessee
Tennessee is known for its Great Smoky Mountains, country music, and hot chicken. It also has a sinister side that makes it one of the worst places to live in the United States.
Memphis has one of the worst crime rates in the country. The state has the third-highest violent crime rate, with rape, robbery, murder, and severe assault all contributing to the total.
Tennessee has the sixth-lowest life expectancy in the US, at 76.1 years. Also, about three years less than the national average.
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Obesity, low physical activity, smoking, and child birth weight are all critical indicators of a population’s general health. Yet, this state ranks among the bottom ten.
Tennessee has a lower unemployment rate than some of the other states listed. It has one of the highest poverty rates in the country, at 15.3 percent.
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16. Florida
Floridians are less likely than the average American to have a college education. They are more likely to endure major financial difficulties.
Compared to the national averages of 32.6 percent and 13.1 percent, only 30.4 percent of adults in the state hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. While, 13.6 percent of residents live in poverty.
The state has a higher life expectancy than others. In Florida, the average life expectancy at birth is 80 years.
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This is approximately a year greater than the national average. In terms of population, Florida is also one of the fastest growing states in the US.
The population of the Sunshine State increased by 14.9 percent in the last decade. More than double the national population growth average of 6.6 percent.
15. California
Previous governors have mismanaged California, resulting in a large debt burden. Governor Jerry Brown has routinely run surpluses, which is better than other states.
California’s economy is likewise rising at a higher rate than the rest of the country. The primary reason we think the state to be poorly governed, is because there is a lot of right-wing propaganda involved in making Democrats look bad.
We believe that using Illinois as an example is more effective for right-wing propaganda. There are many red states that are far worse than California.
14. Maine
Maine is the lowest ranked state in New England.It is the only state in the region with a bachelor’s degree attainment rate that is lower than the national average.
In Maine, only 31.5 percent of adults have completed four years of college. We compared this to 32.6 percent of persons in the United States.
Adults with a higher level of education are more likely to report healthy lifestyles. Also, with better health outcomes than the general population.
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Maine has the lowest life expectancy in the New England region, at 78.6 years. It has nearly six months less than the national average and the lowest of any New England state.
Maine does not trail behind its regional neighbors in every metric used to assess quality of life. The state’s poverty rate of 11.6 percent is lower than Rhode Island’s 12.9 percent and the national rate of 13.1 percent.
13. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s average life expectancy at birth is only 78.3 years. This is approximately a year less than the national average of 79.1 years.
Adults with a college degree are more likely to live healthier lifestyles and report better health outcomes. Pennsylvania’s lower than average life expectancy may be linked to the state’s lower educational attainment.
In Pennsylvania, 31.8 percent of adults have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 32.6 percent of Americans. A state’s slow population growth may show that it is a less desirable area to live compared to its neighbors.
Pennsylvania’s population increased by only 1.6 percent over the last decade. However, the national population increased by 6.6 percent.
12. Idaho
Idaho has one of the lowest rates of bachelor’s degree completion among states. In Idaho, only 27.7% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or above, far less than the national average of 32.6 percent.
They associate higher educational attainment with better health and higher earnings in the United States.
Despite having a lower bachelor’s degree attainment rate than the national average, Idaho residents are less likely to be poor and live longer than the average American. The state’s poverty rate of 11.8 percent is lower than the national poverty rate of 13.6 percent.
11. Delaware
Delaware citizens are more likely than the average American to be unhealthy. Delaware’s average life expectancy at birth is 78.6 years, which is about six months less than the national average.
Residents in Delaware are more likely to be financially secure. The state’s poverty rate of 12.5% is slightly lower than the national figure of 13.6 percent.Delaware’s population has been expanding faster than the rest of the country in recent years.
The number of people living in the state has increased by 9.3 percent in the recent decade. This is greatly above the national population growth of 6.6 percent.
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10. Wyoming
The rate at which a state’s population grows can show how appealing it is to potential new residents. Also to those wishing to establish a family.
Wyoming’s population increased by 6.1 percent over the last decade. This is a slower rate than the national rate of 6.6 percent.
The work market in Wyoming is relatively weak. In 2018, an average of 4.1 percent of the labor force was unemployed, compared to a national average of 3.9 percent.
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Despite the dearth of work options, Wyoming residents are more likely than the average American to be financially comfortable.
Only 11.1 percent of Wyoming citizens are poor, a lower percentage than in most states and much below the national poverty rate of 13.1 percent.
9. Indiana
Despite having one of the lowest percentages of extreme poverty on our list, other factors suggest that Indiana is one of the worst locations to live in the country.
They rate Indiana 48th in terms of public healthcare spending per capita. This is with only $55 per person granted by the state in 2020.
This state also ranks in the top ten in the US for high rates of adult smoking, adult obesity.Also, and adults who report taking little or no exercise in their spare time.
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It’s no surprise that Indiana has one of the lowest life expectancies in the country. This is at 77.1 years vs the national average of 79.1 years.
The state also receives poor ratings in reports on inclusivity. Their public accommodations statute lacks prohibitions against discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or age.
Its temperature influenced Indiana’s ranking on our list. This is with hot, humid summers. Also with chilly, damp winters, and plenty of cloud cover in between. The weather here leaves a lot to be desired.
8. Kentucky
Kentucky may appear to be a decent option if you’re seeking for a state with a low crime rate at first glance. However, if you delve a little deeper, you’ll discover that Kentucky is one of the worst states in the country to live in.
Kentucky is one of the most unhealthy states in the US. This is with citizens living an average of 75.4 years. Being the third-shortest in the country.
This could be for a lot of reasons, but that one out of every four Kentuckians smokes is undoubtedly one of them.
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This is one of the state’s main causes of early death. Kentucky also has a very high adult obesity rate. With residents reporting that they exercise less than in other states.
Kentucky’s poverty and unemployment rates are both among the top ten worst in the US, with 16.9% and 4.3 percent, respectively.
7. Arkansas
Arkansas is another of the nation’s worst states to live in. It has citizens among the poorest in the country.
The state’s poverty rate of 17.5 percent is the sixth highest in the US. The median household income ($47,062) is $15,000 less than the national average.
While money isn’t everything, Arkansas citizens’ health is another incentive to consider moving elsewhere.
Arkansas has the second-lowest life expectancy in the country, trailing only West Virginia. It also has the fifth-lowest life expectancy, at 75.8 years. It’s also one state with the highest rates of obesity, inactivity, and smoking.
6. Louisiana
Louisiana has the country’s third-highest poverty rate (18.6%) and third-highest unemployment rate (4.9%). This makes it unquestionably one of the worst states to live in.
The lack of education is likely to blame for the high poverty and unemployment rates. Louisiana is one of only six states where fewer than 25% of residents have achieved a bachelor’s degree.
The state’s high poverty rate has impacted residents’ health. They widely regarded Louisiana as one of the most unhealthy states in the country.
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Smoking, obesity, and premature death are all common. The average life expectancy is only 76.1 years.
Louisiana’s high crime rates result from the state’s high poverty and unemployment rates. The state has had the highest murder rate per capita for the past 31 years.
Its location on the country’s southern shore means severe weather frequently hit it. This resulted in flooding, infrastructure damage, and even death.
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5. Georgia
Georgia’s new voting limitations set the tone for similar legislation across the country. As well as the business backlash that followed, with Major League Baseball removing this year’s All-Star Game from Atlanta.
According to academics at Northern Illinois University, the state ranks 49th in a voting difficulty rating. The new law’s supporters point out that Georgia allows no-excuse absentee voting.
Although, President Joe Biden’s home state of Delaware does not. However, despite no evidence of election fraud in 2020, the extensive crackdown on alleged election fraud has drawn strong criticism from the business community.
Georgia likewise lacks statewide anti-discrimination protections.
4. Texas
Texas constantly attempts to outdo itself with laws and regulations that are perceived as exclusive. This is despite its strength as a place to do business.
It is one of the few states that does not have a legislation protecting against discrimination in public accommodations.
Texas Democrats defeated a bill that would have further restricted voting in a state that is already one of the most difficult to vote in by some criteria.
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Governor Greg Abbott and legislators are pushing ahead in a new special session to enact the legislation.
The Lone Star State is likely to finish at the bottom of this list. To hold down the process and draw national attention, Democratic lawmakers left the state.
3. West Virginia
West Virginia is one of just two states where the population has decreased over the last decade. It shows the state’s ongoing social security and economic problems. West Virginia is, without a doubt, one of the worst states to live in.
The state suffers from poor mental health at a higher rate than residents of any other state. Their overall health is likewise worse than it is in most other parts of the country.
The state not only has the greatest number of smokers, but it also has the second-shortest life expectancy, at only 75 years. This affects the climate change.stu
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Virginia’s economic predicament is as bad as its health issue. This is as seen by lower-than-average property values and median yearly household income.
At 5.3 percent, the unemployment rate is the second highest in the country. At 17.8 percent, the poverty rate is the fourth highest.
2. Arizona
Arizona, is home to natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls, and Monument Valley. It is an enticing spot for outdoor enthusiasts to settle down.
However, appearances can be misleading, and Arizona is actually one of the worst places in the country to live in.
While the state’s natural features are not to be overlooked, overcrowding in cities like Phoenix contributes to some of the worst air quality in the country. This, paired with inadequate public health funding, is bad news for citizens with lung problems.
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The state also has a scarcity of doctors and mental health care workers. Arizona also has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country (4.8 percent).
This contributes to the state’s higher-than-average poverty rates (14 percent). The usage of air conditioning is a necessity in the summer. The high energy bill that comes with it is a luxury that many residents cannot afford.
Some citizens living in poverty turn to crime to pay their expenses. Arizona has the 10th worst violent crime rate in the country.
1. Alabama
This state, like its western neighbor, has one of the country’s highest poverty rates (16.8%). This is with most households earning less than $50,000 per year, compared to the national average of $62,000.
Education attainment accounts for a portion of the state’s poverty statistics. This is with only 25.5 percent of individuals in Alabama holding a bachelor’s degree or above.
When poor income is combined with a lack of education, disaster ensues. Individuals with lower educational achievement are more prone to pick unhealthy food and lifestyle choices.
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Alabama has one of the lowest life expectancy rates in the US. with residents living about four years less than the national average at 75.4 years.
In addition, the state has the second-highest rate of cardiovascular disease. This includes; the third-highest rate of diabetes, and one of the highest rates of premature death in the country.
Alabama is one of just five states with no legal protections against discrimination for non-disabled citizens. This makes life much more difficult for minorities.
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