Many people around the world dream of starting a new life in America, mainly due to opportunities and welcoming culture, but the reality can be quite different. Despite being known for its vibrant city life and various ways to achieve financial success, the United States also faces challenges of being unhappiest and struggles with high rates of depression. Economic stability is certainly important for overall happiness, but numerous other elements make certain areas of the country unlivable. In this article, we will explore some of the unhappiest cities in the US, along with the reasons behind their struggles and the specific challenges residents face.
Buffalo
The city located in New York has a troubling depression rate of 22 per cent. Economic troubles, high cost of living and growing crime rates in the past years make it tough for people to be happy here and impact the overall mental health of its residents.
Las Vegas
You might think this Nevada town is all about entertainment and vibrant nightlife. In reality, Las Vegas ranks as the least happy city in America. The high cost of living, unemployment, rising home prices and high sales taxes make life challenging. On the other hand, due to all the flashy buildings and casinos, the city offers limited green spaces to breathe fresh air and encourages unhealthy habits like gambling.
Philadelphia
While this Pennsylvania city is known for being lively and has a rich culture, residents often struggle with depression and there is a lot of crime. The city also deals with slow economic growth and the cost of living is higher than the average US city.
Jackson
It is considered among the poorest cities in Mississippi, Jackson- has a poverty rate of 32.2%, along with a weak economy and a 7.7 per cent unemployment rate. Residents also deal with rising criminal activities.
Cleveland
Although Cleveland is a socially active city and has many attractions to explore, it suffers from high crime compared to other cities in the United States. The city’s gloomy and rainy weather feels depressing throughout the year for the residents.
Detroit
This Michigan-based town used to be a blooming city, but now it’s considered among the unhappiest cities. It now struggles with a bad economy, higher separation and divorce rates and low employment. Due to its large population, Detroit’s current situation raises concerns about its future.