The property maintenance company LawnStarter recently ranked the Leading Cities for Quality of Life in 2024. They assessed the 500 largest U.S. cities across 16 categories, including healthcare, environment, and education. Each city was scored based on key factors from various data sources, leading to an overall score out of 100.
The top “Quality of Life” city, Redmond, WA, achieved the highest overall score of 71.55, while the bottom city (keep reading for the big reveal) received the lowest score of 33.67.
This list highlights the bottom 20 cities, detailing their rankings in each category and providing insights into their overall quality of life.
#20 Lawton, OK
- Overall Score: 43.04
- Environment Rank: 337/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 226/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 192/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 393/500
- Physical Health Rank: 489/500
- Mental Health Rank: 482/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 438/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 386/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 18/500
- Safety Rank: 389/500
- Education Rank: 346/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 269/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 9/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 491/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 494/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 471/500
#19 Reading, PA
- Overall Score: 42.59
- Environment Rank: 110/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 477/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 71/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 243/500
- Physical Health Rank: 417/500
- Mental Health Rank: 408/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 495/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 338/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 424/500
- Safety Rank: 409/500
- Education Rank: 454/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 478/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 393/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 307/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 377/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 500/500
#18 Edinburg, TX
- Overall Score: 42.53
- Environment Rank: 481/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 203/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 312/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 489/500
- Physical Health Rank: 364/500
- Mental Health Rank: 124/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 388/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 161/500
- Safety Rank: 206/500
- Education Rank: 243/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 480/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 150/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 454/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 500/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 484/500
#17 Mission, TX
- Overall Score: 42.38
- Environment Rank: 476/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 203/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 343/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 490/500
- Physical Health Rank: 360/500
- Mental Health Rank: 145/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 419/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 37/500
- Safety Rank: 317/500
- Education Rank: 270/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 459/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 139/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 454/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 499/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 488/500
#16 McAllen, TX
- Overall Score: 42.13
- Environment Rank: 444/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 203/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 369/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 492/500
- Physical Health Rank: 355/500
- Mental Health Rank: 120/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 328/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 135/500
- Safety Rank: 346/500
- Education Rank: 190/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 446/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 414/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 444/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 497/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 480/500
#15 Mesquite, TX
- Overall Score: 41.98
- Environment Rank: 441/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 338/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 98/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 488/500
- Physical Health Rank: 442/500
- Mental Health Rank: 348/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 209/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 408/500
- Safety Rank: 415/500
- Education Rank: 396/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 445/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 398/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 433/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 432/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 384/500
#14 Miami Gardens, FL
- Overall Score: 41.64
- Environment Rank: 316/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 252/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 432/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 491/500
- Physical Health Rank: 143/500
- Mental Health Rank: 197/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 435/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 292/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 496/500
- Safety Rank: 485/500
- Education Rank: 499/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 121/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 417/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 407/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 391/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 7/500
#13 Memphis, TN
- Overall Score: 41.55
- Environment Rank: 360/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 161/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 495/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 426/500
- Physical Health Rank: 482/500
- Mental Health Rank: 382/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 468/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 392/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 261/500
- Safety Rank: 499/500
- Education Rank: 479/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 243/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 242/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 358/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 388/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 477/500
#12 Shreveport, LA
- Overall Score: 41.54
- Environment Rank: 446/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 294/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 387/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 152/500
- Physical Health Rank: 498/500
- Mental Health Rank: 470/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 478/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 365/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 84/500
- Safety Rank: 453/500
- Education Rank: 341/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 418/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 41/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 373/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 477/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 474/500
#11 Hammond, IN
- Overall Score: 41.46
- Environment Rank: 485/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 440/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 115/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 402/500
- Physical Health Rank: 466/500
- Mental Health Rank: 360/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 428/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 355/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 380/500
- Safety Rank: 471/500
- Education Rank: 465/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 244/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 439/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 369/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 345/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 416/500
#10 Laredo, TX
- Overall Score: 40.3
- Environment Rank: 472/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 383/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 370/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 495/500
- Physical Health Rank: 437/500
- Mental Health Rank: 219/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 371/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 236/500
- Safety Rank: 97/500
- Education Rank: 322/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 497/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 427/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 485/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 480/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 492/500
#9 Corpus Christi, TX
- Overall Score: 40.29
- Environment Rank: 430/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 351/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 424/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 470/500
- Physical Health Rank: 500/500
- Mental Health Rank: 481/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 333/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 256/500
- Safety Rank: 218/500
- Education Rank: 291/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 462/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 328/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 393/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 491/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 423/500
#8 Beaumont, TX
- Overall Score: 39.77
- Environment Rank: 493/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 491/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 128/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 458/500
- Physical Health Rank: 461/500
- Mental Health Rank: 375/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 401/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 90/500
- Safety Rank: 490/500
- Education Rank: 312/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 476/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 127/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 454/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 471/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 468/500
#7 Jackson, MS
- Overall Score: 39.45
- Environment Rank: 455/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 226/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 498/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 414/500
- Physical Health Rank: 499/500
- Mental Health Rank: 259/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 494/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 487/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 239/500
- Safety Rank: 411/500
- Education Rank: 336/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 448/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 170/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 352/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 444/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 452/500
#6 Baytown, TX
- Overall Score: 39.14
- Environment Rank: 463/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 498/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 159/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 473/500
- Physical Health Rank: 473/500
- Mental Health Rank: 329/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 382/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 231/500
- Safety Rank: 494/500
- Education Rank: 399/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 456/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 95/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 454/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 461/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 390/500
#5 Brownsville, TX
- Overall Score: 38.16
- Environment Rank: 458/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 192/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 215/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 497/500
- Physical Health Rank: 423/500
- Mental Health Rank: 203/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 455/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 352/500
- Safety Rank: 327/500
- Education Rank: 342/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 494/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 334/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 431/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 495/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 497/500
#4 Pasadena, TX
- Overall Score: 37.57
- Environment Rank: 479/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 499/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 157/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 480/500
- Physical Health Rank: 348/500
- Mental Health Rank: 256/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 420/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 364/500
- Safety Rank: 478/500
- Education Rank: 395/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 475/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 374/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 448/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 428/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 389/500
#3 Pharr, TX
- Overall Score: 36.03
- Environment Rank: 483/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 203/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 359/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 500/500
- Physical Health Rank: 401/500
- Mental Health Rank: 199/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 475/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 410/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 411/500
- Safety Rank: 292/500
- Education Rank: 377/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 490/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 430/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 454/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 496/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 499/500
#2 Detroit, MI
- Overall Score: 34.73
- Environment Rank: 439/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 434/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 500/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 348/500
- Physical Health Rank: 495/500
- Mental Health Rank: 458/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 499/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 262/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 480/500
- Safety Rank: 489/500
- Education Rank: 446/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 402/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 459/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 150/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 453/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 489/500
#1 Flint, MI
Flint, Michigan, scored as the worst quality of life city in America. Below are the metrics Lawnstarter used to determine this rank.
- Overall Score: 33.67
- Environment Rank: 410/500
- Air and Water Quality Rank: 241/500
- Housing and Infrastructure Rank: 499/500
- Healthcare Access Rank: 309/500
- Physical Health Rank: 492/500
- Mental Health Rank: 491/500
- Economic Stability Rank: 500/500
- Employment Protection Rank: 262/500
- Housing Affordability Rank: 420/500
- Safety Rank: 477/500
- Education Rank: 466/500
- Leisure Time Rank: 398/500
- Recreational Facilities Rank: 322/500
- Social and Personal Freedoms Rank: 252/500
- Family and Food Security Rank: 489/500
- Health and Wellness Access Rank: 498/500
What Do You Think?
How do you think the “Quality of Life” is doing throughout America? Let us know in the comments.
