Most of America lives in or around a big city, and the suburbs have obvious perks — less crime, a slower pace of life, and more house for the money. But not all suburbs are created equal.
So instead of relying on reputation, we used Saturday Night Science to rank 1,683 suburbs of 10,000+ people around the 200 biggest cities in America on income, jobs, home values, poverty, education, health insurance, and crime.
The worst suburb in America for 2026 is Bessemer, AL, just outside Birmingham. Alabama and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas dominate the list.
The best? Western Springs, IL.
Bessemer, about 15 miles southwest of Birmingham, is the worst suburb in America. It was fourth the last time we ran these numbers. Its violent crime rate is higher than 99% of the suburbs we ranked, 28% of residents live in poverty, and the median household earns $39,613. What was once a mining and railroad hub has been struggling for decades.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
West Memphis sits right across the Mississippi River from Memphis in Arkansas. It has the highest unemployment rate in the top ten at 14.5%, and the highest violent crime rate, too. The median home is worth just $120,100.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
Prichard, just north of Mobile, was the worst suburb in America the last time we ran these numbers, and it’s still near the bottom. 31% of residents live in poverty, the median home is worth only $85,700, and the median household earns $36,588 — the lowest income in the top ten.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
Milledgeville is about 30 miles from Macon, the edge of our suburb definition. It’s also home to Georgia College, and a big student population helps push the poverty rate to 40.5%. The median household earns $41,616.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
Mercedes is the first of four Rio Grande Valley towns on this list. It’s about 21 miles east of McAllen, and nearly one in four residents has no health insurance. 28% of adults never finished high school.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
Gary, Indiana, is about 24 miles from downtown Chicago, and it’s the biggest suburb on this list with 68,113 people. One in three residents lives in poverty, the median home is worth $94,700, and 11% of workers are unemployed. Gary doesn’t report crime to the FBI, so it was scored on the other seven criteria.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
Donna, about 13 miles east of McAllen, has the highest share of adults without a high school diploma in the top ten at 36%. It also has the highest poverty rate on the list at 40.7%, and its violent crime rate is one of the highest in the country.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
Alamo is a McAllen suburb about 8 miles east of the city. It has the second-highest uninsured rate in the top ten (26.2%), and a quarter of residents live in poverty. The median household earns $57,096 — the highest income in the top ten, which tells you how low the bar is.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
Fort Pierce, just north of Port St. Lucie on Florida’s Treasure Coast, has 49,082 people and a 26% poverty rate. Its median home value of $250,800 is the highest in the top ten, but that’s still well below the typical suburb.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
San Benito, about 15 miles north of Brownsville, rounds out the ten worst suburbs. It has the highest uninsured rate in the top ten at 27%, and the median home is worth just $85,300 — the lowest on the list.
Data | Crime | Cost of living
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is the United States’s statewide median.
the United States statewide median: $80,734
the United States statewide median: $332,700
the United States statewide median: 12.5%
the United States statewide median: 5.2%
On the map
Where the worst suburbs in America are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How We Determined The Worst Suburbs In America
First, we had to define a suburb. We took the 200 biggest cities in America and counted every incorporated city or town with at least 10,000 people within 30 miles of one of them (50 miles for San Francisco) as a suburb. That gave us 1,683 suburbs. Each one is assigned to the closest big city.
Then we ranked each suburb on these nine criteria using the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey and FBI crime data:
We averaged each suburb’s rankings, and the suburb with the worst average earned the title “Worst Suburb In America.” Suburbs that don’t report crime to the FBI were scored on the other seven criteria.
- Median household income
- Median home value
- Unemployment rate
- Poverty rate
- Share of adults without a high school diploma
- Share of residents without health insurance
- Population density
- Violent crime per capita
- Property crime per capita
We updated this report for 2026. This report is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment — don’t freak out.
The full list
The 100 Worst Suburbs In America
Click any column to sort. Search by suburb name.
| Rank | Suburb | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Poverty | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bessemer, AL | 25,400 | $39,613 | $135,900 | 27.9% | 8.6% |
| 2 | West Memphis, AR | 23,929 | $42,674 | $120,100 | 29.1% | 14.5% |
| 3 | Prichard, AL | 18,961 | $36,588 | $85,700 | 30.6% | 10.1% |
| 4 | Milledgeville, GA | 16,748 | $41,616 | $193,100 | 40.5% | 6.9% |
| 5 | Mercedes, TX | 16,733 | $46,904 | $111,800 | 28.6% | 6.8% |
| 6 | Gary, IN | 68,113 | $38,731 | $94,700 | 33.1% | 11.0% |
| 7 | Donna, TX | 16,833 | $40,438 | $86,100 | 40.7% | 5.4% |
| 8 | Alamo, TX | 20,255 | $57,096 | $145,100 | 25.3% | 9.4% |
| 9 | Fort Pierce, FL | 49,082 | $47,072 | $250,800 | 26.2% | 9.2% |
| 10 | San Benito, TX | 24,709 | $43,639 | $85,300 | 29.7% | 7.3% |
| 11 | Jacksonville, AR | 29,221 | $49,666 | $163,400 | 19.8% | 8.4% |
| 12 | Lexington, NC | 19,690 | $43,128 | $179,900 | 27.8% | 6.0% |
| 13 | Canton, MS | 10,811 | $38,337 | $112,000 | 33.3% | 3.5% |
| 14 | Smithfield, NC | 12,116 | $43,270 | $242,500 | 27.3% | 7.2% |
| 15 | San Elizario, TX | 10,116 | $49,977 | $110,400 | 25.9% | 3.4% |
| 16 | College Park, GA | 14,712 | $51,635 | $325,800 | 20.7% | 17.0% |
| 17 | Eden, NC | 15,356 | $47,260 | $120,700 | 19.2% | 8.3% |
| 18 | Weslaco, TX | 42,229 | $59,551 | $140,000 | 23.2% | 7.1% |
| 19 | Forest Park, GA | 19,504 | $41,211 | $143,400 | 20.3% | 5.7% |
| 20 | Lake Station, IN | 13,185 | $59,591 | $137,400 | 15.4% | 16.3% |
| 21 | Baytown, TX | 85,205 | $59,910 | $197,300 | 18.2% | 10.2% |
| 22 | Reidsville, NC | 14,585 | $42,921 | $138,800 | 21.1% | 6.4% |
| 23 | Jennings, MO | 12,918 | $38,984 | $68,800 | 25.2% | 8.9% |
| 24 | Camden, NJ | 71,496 | $40,546 | $112,000 | 30.2% | 14.5% |
| 25 | Cairo, GA | 10,055 | $40,920 | $108,800 | 28.8% | 5.2% |
| 26 | East Chicago, IN | 26,022 | $42,125 | $105,400 | 26.3% | 7.7% |
| 27 | Chicago Heights, IL | 26,736 | $54,798 | $161,000 | 26.9% | 14.6% |
| 28 | Hueytown, AL | 16,414 | $62,784 | $155,300 | 16.2% | 8.6% |
| 29 | Grandview, MO | 26,527 | $53,447 | $188,500 | 17.9% | 6.2% |
| 30 | Alton, TX | 20,214 | $52,715 | $156,300 | 27.5% | 8.3% |
| 31 | Petersburg, VA | 33,537 | $50,698 | $189,000 | 21.7% | 10.0% |
| 32 | Arvin, CA | 19,539 | $49,183 | $262,700 | 34.6% | 14.0% |
| 33 | Canton, OH | 69,755 | $43,188 | $97,800 | 27.4% | 7.8% |
| 34 | North Little Rock, AR | 64,538 | $52,707 | $178,900 | 20.3% | 5.9% |
| 35 | Kings Mountain, NC | 12,039 | $49,564 | $204,100 | 23.0% | 7.7% |
| 36 | Humble, TX | 16,521 | $57,011 | $216,400 | 18.8% | 4.9% |
| 37 | Whitehall, OH | 20,019 | $51,759 | $159,600 | 16.4% | 8.8% |
| 38 | East Cleveland, OH | 13,534 | $22,116 | $68,800 | 40.7% | 18.4% |
| 39 | Barstow, CA | 25,100 | $53,380 | $245,000 | 23.1% | 11.9% |
| 40 | Pontiac, MI | 62,104 | $44,329 | $121,700 | 24.4% | 10.1% |
| 41 | East St. Louis, IL | 17,999 | $35,700 | $52,600 | 32.8% | 17.3% |
| 42 | Sanford, NC | 31,478 | $57,586 | $245,400 | 22.0% | 4.4% |
| 43 | Markham, IL | 11,355 | $57,302 | $135,300 | 18.0% | 8.7% |
| 44 | Harlingen, TX | 72,087 | $53,645 | $140,600 | 25.1% | 5.2% |
| 45 | Burlington, NC | 59,610 | $56,880 | $199,200 | 16.4% | 6.5% |
| 46 | Palmview, TX | 15,921 | $43,963 | $113,600 | 30.8% | 5.1% |
| 47 | Riverdale, IL | 10,340 | $39,833 | $113,800 | 41.5% | 16.1% |
| 48 | South Houston, TX | 16,033 | $53,497 | $189,300 | 26.1% | 8.3% |
| 49 | Harvey, IL | 20,230 | $42,429 | $88,100 | 22.6% | 13.4% |
| 50 | Federal Heights, CO | 14,125 | $56,597 | $95,300 | 24.2% | 6.5% |
| 51 | Mckeesport, PA | 17,380 | $34,219 | $72,700 | 32.0% | 11.5% |
| 52 | Wasco, CA | 26,558 | $51,727 | $273,600 | 18.4% | 7.0% |
| 53 | Spring Lake, NC | 11,573 | $51,958 | $124,000 | 17.7% | 5.4% |
| 54 | Lancaster, TX | 40,820 | $68,302 | $246,300 | 15.0% | 7.2% |
| 55 | Sumter, SC | 43,053 | $55,592 | $199,100 | 16.7% | 6.6% |
| 56 | Inkster, MI | 25,428 | $39,252 | $80,400 | 35.2% | 14.4% |
| 57 | Asheboro, NC | 27,580 | $47,197 | $188,100 | 19.7% | 4.0% |
| 58 | Terrell, TX | 20,366 | $65,842 | $218,500 | 15.9% | 7.6% |
| 59 | Trenton, NJ | 90,338 | $52,537 | $160,700 | 21.6% | 10.1% |
| 60 | Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO | 10,498 | $49,170 | $99,700 | 21.4% | 5.9% |
| 61 | Independence, MO | 121,740 | $60,339 | $172,900 | 15.8% | 5.6% |
| 62 | Baker, LA | 12,253 | $54,750 | $157,900 | 29.8% | 16.6% |
| 63 | La Marque, TX | 19,268 | $71,102 | $206,900 | 15.6% | 6.2% |
| 64 | Hopkinsville, KY | 30,906 | $49,139 | $172,100 | 19.3% | 6.2% |
| 65 | Gainesville, TX | 17,883 | $58,809 | $177,000 | 19.1% | 8.1% |
| 66 | Coolidge, AZ | 16,636 | $67,023 | $255,400 | 19.9% | 14.1% |
| 67 | Hazelwood, MO | 25,114 | $55,908 | $167,400 | 15.9% | 10.4% |
| 68 | Hammond, IN | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | 19.1% | 6.5% |
| 69 | East Point, GA | 38,335 | $68,598 | $281,600 | 19.9% | 6.9% |
| 70 | Gretna, LA | 17,389 | $43,110 | $257,400 | 26.9% | 6.3% |
| 71 | El Reno, OK | 18,557 | $56,219 | $165,900 | 19.3% | 6.1% |
| 72 | Bellmead, TX | 10,566 | $52,075 | $155,100 | 24.9% | 2.1% |
| 73 | Lauderdale Lakes, FL | 36,404 | $50,006 | $214,100 | 21.7% | 8.7% |
| 74 | Fulton, NY | 11,272 | $52,046 | $101,000 | 23.5% | 6.5% |
| 75 | Dinuba, CA | 25,475 | $59,484 | $275,000 | 26.8% | 10.6% |
| 76 | Middletown, OH | 51,617 | $57,102 | $164,400 | 17.1% | 5.9% |
| 77 | Sevierville, TN | 18,397 | $52,421 | $289,600 | 15.4% | 4.4% |
| 78 | Temple, TX | 89,602 | $68,204 | $239,000 | 16.0% | 6.6% |
| 79 | Gastonia, NC | 82,884 | $64,059 | $277,600 | 16.3% | 5.7% |
| 80 | Holyoke, MA | 37,813 | $53,605 | $274,100 | 27.0% | 7.7% |
| 81 | Hartford, CT | 121,127 | $46,411 | $228,600 | 26.3% | 10.7% |
| 82 | Edinburg, TX | 104,550 | $59,466 | $189,600 | 26.0% | 6.1% |
| 83 | Hidalgo, TX | 14,498 | $59,441 | $163,600 | 21.1% | 8.8% |
| 84 | Valley, AL | 10,277 | $51,661 | $140,800 | 14.9% | 3.5% |
| 85 | Richmond, TX | 12,582 | $50,337 | $231,500 | 15.7% | 7.0% |
| 86 | Blue Island, IL | 21,741 | $59,489 | $178,700 | 17.1% | 15.5% |
| 87 | Ferguson, MO | 18,213 | $47,524 | $109,900 | 24.2% | 5.9% |
| 88 | Millington, TN | 11,289 | $49,979 | $207,300 | 16.5% | 4.7% |
| 89 | Hamtramck, MI | 27,743 | $39,293 | $131,000 | 39.9% | 13.1% |
| 90 | Leon Valley, TX | 11,446 | $59,481 | $253,200 | 12.9% | 7.1% |
| 91 | Decatur, AL | 57,361 | $61,563 | $210,200 | 13.1% | 4.5% |
| 92 | Hopewell, VA | 22,959 | $54,729 | $181,600 | 21.8% | 9.2% |
| 93 | Shelbyville, TN | 24,661 | $55,073 | $244,000 | 20.7% | 3.8% |
| 94 | Waterbury, CT | 114,869 | $51,886 | $208,500 | 24.7% | 9.3% |
| 95 | Clarkston, GA | 14,557 | $48,564 | $302,600 | 34.4% | 8.1% |
| 96 | Center Point, AL | 15,914 | $56,417 | $151,700 | 14.3% | 8.1% |
| 97 | Webster, TX | 12,366 | $61,264 | $281,400 | 13.7% | 6.5% |
| 98 | Alton, IL | 25,279 | $54,568 | $103,700 | 21.0% | 5.4% |
| 99 | Lorain, OH | 65,395 | $48,685 | $139,200 | 25.2% | 6.3% |
| 100 | Conyers, GA | 18,512 | $63,140 | $284,300 | 13.4% | 9.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024; FBI crime data. Places of 10,000+ within 30 miles of the 200 largest US cities.
Summary
Summary: The Worst Suburbs In The United States
If you’re analyzing suburbs where incomes are low, jobs are scarce, and crime is high, this is an accurate list.
The worst suburbs in the United States for 2026 are Bessemer, AL, West Memphis, AR, Prichard, AL, Milledgeville, GA, Mercedes, TX, Gary, IN, Donna, TX, Alamo, TX, Fort Pierce, FL, and San Benito, TX.
So basically, large parts of the South — especially Alabama and the Texas border — are where suburban life gets toughest. Three of the ten worst are within 25 miles of McAllen alone.
Questions and answers
Worst Suburbs In America FAQs
What is the worst suburb in America?
Bessemer, AL is the worst suburb in America for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. West Memphis and Prichard are next.
What are the 10 worst suburbs in the US?
The ten worst suburbs in the United States for 2026 are Bessemer, AL, West Memphis, AR, Prichard, AL, Milledgeville, GA, Mercedes, TX, Gary, IN, Donna, TX, Alamo, TX, Fort Pierce, FL, and San Benito, TX.
How did you define a suburb?
Any incorporated place of 10,000+ people within 30 miles of one of the 200 biggest US cities (50 miles for San Francisco), not counting those big cities themselves.
What is the best suburb in America?
Western Springs, IL lands at the top of the other end of the ranking.
