There’s a common denominator that all bad small cities have.
They are the places that have bad economies. They are the places where the school systems are in bad shape. They’re the places where people are out of work. They are the places where residents earn low salaries.
If home prices are low, it’s a sign that there’s not a lot of demand to live there.
And certainly, if crime is really high, no one wants to be there at all.
The cities we used in this report are small cities that have populations under 70,000. Many are suburbs of major cities where things aren’t going very well right now, at least according to Saturday Night Science, which measures the good things that people say they want in a city, and finds the cities with the least of those things.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Worst Small Cities In America For 2026
What’s interesting is that half of these are in or .
You might be surprised to see some of these cities on this list. We understand there’s a lot of good in every place. However, according to data (which doesn’t measure things like beauty, âfriendly people’ and community involvement), there are far better options in America for making a place home.
The best small town to live in America? Western Springs, . More on that later.
Check out more about America here:
- Best Cities In America To Raise A Family
- Most Affordable States In America
- Most Dangerous States In America
The 10 Worst Small Cities To Live In America For 2026
/10
Population: 8,334
Median Home Value: $154,609 (254th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 18.2% (7th worst)
More on Atmore: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
I’ve lived in Atmore almost my whole life and it is not that bad. And it is not a suburb of Mobile. It’s a freaking hour from Mobile.
/10
Population: 13,756
Median Home Value: $146,386 (199th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 11.6% (79th worst)
More on Waycross: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
I am from Waycross. It is safe in this town and people are friendly. I have traveled to many other places and people are the same
And trust me we have rednecks, we have uppity snobs and some really good and honest people.
And we thank G*d for convenience stores and discount stores and belks, jc Penney and all out boutiques.
It is enough. And we have less traffic. And our high schools have produced Ivy League students.
Thank you very much. And we also have many wonderful Churches.
/10
Population: 25,400
Median Home Value: $133,910 (138th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 8.6% (259th worst)
More on Bessemer: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 10,236
Median Home Value: $113,142 (68th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 8.2% (311th worst)
More on Robstown: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
I like this place a whole lot.
It has more going on than one would expect looking in.
/10
Population: 8,935
Median Home Value: $86,457 (22nd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 17.7% (9th worst)
More on Helena-West Helena: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 5,326
Median Home Value: $77,791 (13th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 9.0% (215th worst)
More on Caruthersville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 12,646
Median Home Value: $73,435 (9th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 13.5% (43rd worst)
More on Forrest City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 23,929
Median Home Value: $131,756 (125th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 14.5% (30th worst)
More on West Memphis: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 14,760
Median Home Value: $143,575 (182nd worst)
Unemployment Rate: 12.6% (55th worst)
More on Talladega: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 9,994
Median Home Value: $134,690 (141st worst)
Unemployment Rate: 7.5% (390th worst)
More on Cordele: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
How we determined the worst small cities in the US
In order to rank the worst small towns in America, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. It isn’t a stretch to assume that people like low crime, solid education, things to do and a stable economy.
So, we used Saturday Night Science to research FBI crime and Census data. The following is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (The lower the worse â meaning there’s less to do for indoor entertainment)
- Highest Unemployment Rates
- Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
- High Housing Vacancy Rate
- Education (Low expenditures per student and high Student Teacher Ratio)
- High Crime
If you’d like to see the complete list of cities, scroll to the bottom of this post to see a link to the entire data set.
We updated this report for 2026. This report is our eleventh time ranking the worst small cities in America. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment — don’t freak out.
There You Have It — The Worst Small Cities In The US
If you’re looking at small cities in the U.S. where crime is high, people are broke, and the public schools are lousy, this is an accurate list.
The worst small cities in the United States are Atmore, AL, Waycross, GA, Bessemer, AL, Robstown, TX, Helena-West Helena, AR, Caruthersville, MO, Forrest City, AR, West Memphis, AR, Talladega, AL, and Cordele, GA.
Here’s a look at the best small cities in America according to the data:
- Western Springs
- Huntington Woods
- Oradell
Detailed List Of The Worst Small Cities To Live In America
| Rank | City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atmore, AL | 8,334 | 18.2% | $154,609 | $38,862 |
| 2 | Waycross, GA | 13,756 | 11.6% | $146,386 | $38,301 |
| 3 | Bessemer, AL | 25,400 | 8.6% | $133,910 | $39,613 |
| 4 | Robstown, TX | 10,236 | 8.2% | $113,142 | $34,436 |
| 5 | Helena-West Helena, AR | 8,935 | 17.7% | $86,457 | $36,019 |
| 6 | Caruthersville, MO | 5,326 | 9.0% | $77,791 | $34,652 |
| 7 | Forrest City, AR | 12,646 | 13.5% | $73,435 | $35,689 |
| 8 | West Memphis, AR | 23,929 | 14.5% | $131,756 | $42,674 |
| 9 | Talladega, AL | 14,760 | 12.6% | $143,575 | $44,198 |
| 10 | Cordele, GA | 9,994 | 7.5% | $134,690 | $33,800 |
| 11 | Moultrie, GA | 14,588 | 7.1% | $170,767 | $43,670 |
| 12 | Ripley, TN | 7,658 | 8.2% | $140,000 | $37,432 |
| 13 | Prichard, AL | 18,961 | 10.1% | $57,931 | $36,588 |
| 14 | Williamston, NC | 5,112 | 9.8% | $131,110 | $38,738 |
| 15 | Dillon, SC | 6,354 | 8.0% | $100,984 | $35,891 |
| 16 | Roxboro, NC | 8,182 | 13.5% | $220,111 | $36,553 |
| 17 | Rockingham, NC | 8,967 | 11.3% | $134,002 | $37,224 |
| 18 | Bogalusa, LA | 10,468 | 15.7% | $85,577 | $30,749 |
| 19 | Bainbridge, GA | 14,404 | 9.8% | $172,159 | $45,422 |
| 20 | Kinston, NC | 19,505 | 16.1% | $148,090 | $36,878 |
| 21 | Gadsden, AL | 33,374 | 7.2% | $114,157 | $40,345 |
| 22 | Wynne, AR | 8,120 | 10.3% | $128,057 | $43,250 |
| 23 | Bennettsville, SC | 7,751 | 12.5% | $81,007 | $37,115 |
| 24 | Laurinburg, NC | 15,087 | 11.0% | $143,607 | $42,170 |
| 25 | Orangeburg, SC | 13,253 | 11.8% | $162,436 | $38,635 |
| 26 | Belen, NM | 7,450 | 8.0% | $266,791 | $42,627 |
| 27 | Andalusia, AL | 8,766 | 6.7% | $170,024 | $42,611 |
| 28 | Pahokee, FL | 5,609 | 16.5% | $204,196 | $53,359 |
| 29 | Lumberton, NC | 18,859 | 5.6% | $149,732 | $42,877 |
| 30 | Anniston, AL | 21,271 | 6.4% | $147,195 | $46,668 |
| 31 | Darlington, SC | 6,120 | 7.1% | $153,322 | $33,952 |
| 32 | Lanett, AL | 6,814 | 7.3% | $123,280 | $42,357 |
| 33 | Winslow, AZ | 8,773 | 8.9% | $203,633 | $58,346 |
| 34 | Mercedes, TX | 16,733 | 6.8% | $143,755 | $46,904 |
| 35 | Nogales, AZ | 19,841 | 15.7% | $220,631 | $43,214 |
| 36 | Donna, TX | 16,833 | 5.4% | $153,823 | $40,438 |
| 37 | Center, TX | 5,271 | 10.3% | $198,362 | $48,293 |
| 38 | Milledgeville, GA | 16,748 | 6.9% | $244,327 | $41,616 |
| 39 | Wilmer, TX | 6,391 | 14.4% | $226,032 | $59,626 |
| 40 | Newberry, SC | 10,790 | 6.9% | $166,454 | $51,260 |
| 41 | Americus, GA | 15,813 | 5.4% | $128,313 | $39,176 |
| 42 | Vicksburg, MS | 20,589 | 5.9% | $145,564 | $45,781 |
| 43 | Opelousas, LA | 15,495 | 11.9% | $123,098 | $32,964 |
| 44 | Port Isabel, TX | 5,111 | 5.2% | $262,760 | $32,222 |
| 45 | Palatka, FL | 10,650 | 9.3% | $206,962 | $32,021 |
| 46 | Muskogee, OK | 36,758 | 6.7% | $141,345 | $50,213 |
| 47 | Stuttgart, AR | 7,903 | 10.5% | $118,229 | $49,399 |
| 48 | Pine Bluff, AR | 39,743 | 10.5% | $75,017 | $42,718 |
| 49 | West Monroe, LA | 12,729 | 9.6% | $194,938 | $49,386 |
| 50 | Alexander City, AL | 14,606 | 6.4% | $202,612 | $47,022 |
| 51 | Paris, TX | 24,775 | 5.3% | $172,381 | $47,239 |
| 52 | Henryetta, OK | 5,608 | 10.8% | $110,363 | $45,259 |
| 53 | Lagrange, GA | 32,078 | 9.0% | $236,812 | $43,708 |
| 54 | Benton Harbor, MI | 8,953 | 21.6% | $151,454 | $31,117 |
| 55 | Sallisaw, OK | 8,605 | 4.8% | $182,768 | $48,036 |
| 56 | Okmulgee, OK | 11,348 | 8.2% | $106,354 | $41,848 |
| 57 | Berkeley, MO | 8,123 | 5.7% | $97,156 | $44,265 |
| 58 | Anadarko, OK | 5,572 | 6.2% | $67,935 | $43,105 |
| 59 | Camden, AR | 10,307 | 6.8% | $105,164 | $49,361 |
| 60 | Defuniak Springs, FL | 6,532 | 15.3% | $210,747 | $54,512 |
| 61 | Eufaula, AL | 12,584 | 5.6% | $163,743 | $47,392 |
| 62 | Atlantic City, NJ | 38,632 | 14.5% | $215,470 | $41,028 |
| 63 | Philadelphia, MS | 6,996 | 8.0% | $137,663 | $50,788 |
| 64 | Tuskegee, AL | 8,938 | 10.8% | $91,298 | $38,000 |
| 65 | San Benito, TX | 24,709 | 7.3% | $164,028 | $43,639 |
| 66 | Alamo, TX | 20,255 | 9.4% | $173,085 | $57,096 |
| 67 | Hope, AR | 8,671 | 6.0% | $113,807 | $37,500 |
| 68 | Blytheville, AR | 12,790 | 9.2% | $96,160 | $47,865 |
| 69 | Walterboro, SC | 5,480 | 6.1% | $210,403 | $56,457 |
| 70 | Raymondville, TX | 10,185 | 9.1% | $116,078 | $51,442 |
| 71 | Vidalia, GA | 10,752 | 5.4% | $184,384 | $49,370 |
| 72 | Monroe, LA | 47,004 | 10.2% | $149,717 | $40,505 |
| 73 | Jacksonville, AR | 29,221 | 8.4% | $168,541 | $49,666 |
| 74 | Poteau, OK | 8,959 | 6.1% | $186,457 | $50,511 |
| 75 | Berryville, AR | 5,707 | 8.5% | $237,504 | $42,283 |
| 76 | Camilla, GA | 5,124 | 10.9% | $155,383 | $38,137 |
| 77 | Dyersburg, TN | 15,979 | 7.4% | $165,486 | $52,064 |
| 78 | Morristown, TN | 31,527 | 7.1% | $266,072 | $47,917 |
| 79 | South Bay, FL | 5,102 | 9.0% | $233,446 | $51,417 |
| 80 | East Cleveland, OH | 13,534 | 18.4% | $75,766 | $22,116 |
| 81 | Natchitoches, LA | 17,577 | 7.1% | $181,713 | $37,133 |
| 82 | Cedartown, GA | 10,227 | 6.8% | $205,346 | $34,754 |
| 83 | Nevada, MO | 7,925 | 5.7% | $160,100 | $42,813 |
| 84 | Gaffney, SC | 12,596 | 10.6% | $185,840 | $41,089 |
| 85 | Dowagiac, MI | 5,732 | 8.9% | $224,662 | $48,166 |
| 86 | El Dorado, AR | 17,115 | 7.0% | $133,852 | $49,244 |
| 87 | Mineral Wells, TX | 15,244 | 6.5% | $202,108 | $55,929 |
| 88 | Greenwood, SC | 22,536 | 8.7% | $183,962 | $41,150 |
| 89 | Griffin, GA | 23,761 | 6.3% | $240,028 | $43,632 |
| 90 | Eden, NC | 15,356 | 8.3% | $149,286 | $47,260 |
| 91 | Cairo, GA | 10,055 | 5.2% | $178,783 | $40,920 |
| 92 | Portales, NM | 11,968 | 7.4% | $134,843 | $50,555 |
| 93 | Goldsboro, NC | 34,383 | 8.0% | $194,176 | $48,540 |
| 94 | Opp, AL | 6,709 | 5.2% | $118,903 | $41,347 |
| 95 | Breckenridge, TX | 5,170 | 9.3% | $136,982 | $48,000 |
| 96 | Ardmore, OK | 24,877 | 4.5% | $152,584 | $53,900 |
| 97 | Savannah, TN | 7,412 | 4.5% | $196,053 | $39,712 |
| 98 | East Chicago, IN | 26,022 | 7.7% | $128,170 | $42,125 |
| 99 | Fitzgerald, GA | 8,918 | 3.2% | $128,232 | $37,323 |
| 100 | Alice, TX | 17,707 | 4.1% | $132,639 | $48,676 |
