A new survey by real estate company Clever has found that Washington DC is the least desirable city in America. For the study, the firm surveyed 1,000 people in June and analysed migration data from the US Census to find out why the US capital city’s popularity has declined. It found that for the second year running, Washington DC topped the list of places Americans would least like to live, with 33% of survey respondents ranking it in the top five worst cities.
according to New York Post, The study found that 65% of Americans said the skyrocketing cost of living makes any place unlivable, with Washington D.C. being no exception. The city’s reputation has also been damaged by a rise in crime, with 274 murders in 2023, the highest number in the past two decades, the outlet reported.
New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco also made this year’s list of least desirable cities. According to the study, this is mainly due to their lack of affordable housing markets.
However, Washington DC was named the best place for working parents, thanks to high scores in the work and health categories, remote work opportunities, and a strong network of pediatricians.
Cities that once prospered are struggling, according to the study. Baltimore, which now leads the nation in murders and robberies, ranks seventh on the least desirable list. Detroit, plagued by high rates of rape and aggravated assault, is also mentioned on the list. Birmingham, Alabama, and Buffalo, New York, are also grappling with the consequences of crumbling industrial infrastructure.
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Tampa, Florida, on the other hand, has been declared America’s most desirable city for 2024. However, Americans are satisfied with where they are, with 73% saying they are happy with their current home. Still, frustration persists among many, with 59% feeling dissatisfied and 43% even feeling embarrassed by their state, the study said.
according to PostCalifornia fell to the bottom of the list in a recent Consumer Affairs survey, with poor scores on education, health and safety. The state, once known as the Golden State, has also lost its luster, with New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Alaska far behind in the rankings.