Washington, D.C. has once again earned the dubious distinction of being the least desirable city in America, according to a new poll.
For the second year running, the nation’s capital has topped the list of places where Americans would least want to live, with a whopping 33% of survey respondents ranking it among the top five worst cities.
Clever, the company behind the study, polled 1,000 people in June and analyzed migration data from the U.S. Census to uncover why D.C. has fallen out of favor. The findings are clear: a staggering 65% of people said that sky-high living costs make a place unlivable, with D.C. being no exception.
The city’s reputation has also taken a hit due to a surge in crime, with 2023 seeing 274 murders — the highest number in over two decades.
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s “equitable” approach to tackling crime has some residents claiming it’s destroyed their quality of life.
But while D.C. struggles, other cities face their own challenges. New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, also landed on the list of least desirable cities, largely due to their unaffordable housing markets.
L.A. took the cake, with an annual income of $162,000 needed to afford a home there.
Surprisingly, D.C. did shine in one area: the Clever study crowned it the best place for working parents, thanks to its high scores in work and health categories, remote work opportunities and a strong network of pediatricians.
Across the country, other once-thriving cities are struggling. Baltimore, now known for leading the nation in murders and robberies, ranks seventh on the least desirable list, while Detroit, plagued by high rates of rape and aggravated assault, is also on the decline.
Both cities, along with Birmingham, Alabama, and Buffalo, New York, are grappling with the fallout from crumbling industrial infrastructure.
On the flip side, sunny Tampa, Florida, has been crowned America’s most desirable city for 2024. With year-round warmth, low crime and homes that are far more affordable than in other major cities, it’s no wonder 23% of people put Tampa in their top five.
Despite the grumbling, it seems most Americans are still content where they are, with 73% saying they’re happy with their current home.
Yet, frustration lingers for many, with 59% feeling dissatisfied and 43% even embarrassed by their state.
California, in particular, has fallen out of favor, coming in last in a recent Consumer Affairs poll due to poor marks in education, health and safety. The once-Golden State has lost its luster, with New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Alaska trailing close behind in the rankings.
