Hunger, poverty and homelessness affect every nation — even the richest and most powerful. In 2022, 11.5% of the U.S. population lived in poverty. As we continue to deal with the economic fallout of inflation, it’s important to help our existing impoverished population and ensure we minimize the number of new people who fall into poverty.
On the heels of our report on the most charitable states, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 28 key indicators of economic disadvantage, such as child poverty, food insecurity and uninsured rates.
Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst
Main Findings
Neediest Cities in America
Overall Rank* | City | Total Score | Economic Well-Being Rank | Health & Safety Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Detroit, MI | 61.43 | 1 | 5 |
2 | Brownsville, TX | 57.28 | 9 | 3 |
3 | Gulfport, MS | 55.71 | 7 | 6 |
4 | Cleveland, OH | 54.36 | 6 | 12 |
5 | Laredo, TX | 52.93 | 26 | 7 |
6 | Jackson, MS | 52.23 | 3 | 59 |
7 | Corpus Christi, TX | 52.03 | 52 | 4 |
8 | Little Rock, AR | 51.87 | 16 | 17 |
9 | Augusta, GA | 51.76 | 4 | 76 |
10 | Fresno, CA | 51.67 | 13 | 26 |
11 | New Orleans, LA | 51.53 | 15 | 24 |
12 | Fort Smith, AR | 51.48 | 69 | 1 |
13 | Birmingham, AL | 51.40 | 31 | 8 |
14 | Shreveport, LA | 51.06 | 17 | 21 |
15 | Los Angeles, CA | 50.70 | 21 | 15 |
16 | Memphis, TN | 50.60 | 22 | 16 |
17 | Philadelphia, PA | 50.55 | 11 | 58 |
18 | Baton Rouge, LA | 50.46 | 14 | 40 |
19 | Newark, NJ | 49.77 | 12 | 73 |
20 | Dover, DE | 49.38 | 5 | 107 |
21 | St. Louis, MO | 48.83 | 36 | 18 |
22 | Richmond, VA | 48.81 | 10 | 95 |
23 | Columbia, SC | 48.56 | 2 | 143 |
24 | Baltimore, MD | 48.46 | 18 | 82 |
25 | Toledo, OH | 48.26 | 23 | 47 |
26 | Chattanooga, TN | 48.14 | 43 | 28 |
27 | San Antonio, TX | 48.13 | 58 | 10 |
28 | New Haven, CT | 47.99 | 8 | 116 |
29 | Miami, FL | 47.78 | 40 | 32 |
30 | Houston, TX | 47.66 | 70 | 9 |
31 | Las Vegas, NV | 47.64 | 41 | 31 |
32 | Tulsa, OK | 47.57 | 61 | 11 |
33 | Huntington, WV | 47.48 | 35 | 37 |
34 | Las Cruces, NM | 47.46 | 24 | 75 |
35 | Lubbock, TX | 47.20 | 64 | 14 |
36 | San Bernardino, CA | 47.12 | 29 | 64 |
37 | Indianapolis, IN | 47.07 | 27 | 77 |
38 | Mobile, AL | 46.99 | 34 | 48 |
39 | El Paso, TX | 46.98 | 49 | 27 |
40 | Fayetteville, NC | 46.86 | 44 | 36 |
41 | Wilmington, DE | 46.85 | 19 | 110 |
42 | Dallas, TX | 46.83 | 55 | 19 |
43 | Rochester, NY | 46.72 | 20 | 101 |
44 | Tucson, AZ | 46.55 | 45 | 41 |
45 | Hialeah, FL | 46.46 | 60 | 20 |
46 | Norfolk, VA | 46.17 | 28 | 90 |
47 | New York, NY | 45.66 | 32 | 93 |
48 | Montgomery, AL | 45.57 | 42 | 79 |
49 | Bridgeport, CT | 45.56 | 33 | 94 |
50 | North Las Vegas, NV | 45.50 | 47 | 67 |
51 | Stockton, CA | 45.45 | 37 | 88 |
52 | Milwaukee, WI | 45.26 | 50 | 65 |
53 | Albuquerque, NM | 45.26 | 63 | 33 |
54 | San Francisco, CA | 45.04 | 86 | 13 |
55 | Amarillo, TX | 45.01 | 66 | 30 |
56 | Springfield, MO | 44.97 | 139 | 2 |
57 | Oakland, CA | 44.97 | 53 | 66 |
58 | Oklahoma City, OK | 44.95 | 68 | 34 |
59 | Newport News, VA | 44.91 | 59 | 57 |
60 | Long Beach, CA | 44.74 | 39 | 105 |
61 | Columbus, GA | 44.60 | 54 | 70 |
62 | Atlanta, GA | 44.56 | 30 | 117 |
63 | Knoxville, TN | 44.07 | 65 | 56 |
64 | Glendale, AZ | 43.95 | 71 | 46 |
65 | Akron, OH | 43.83 | 48 | 106 |
66 | Buffalo, NY | 43.68 | 46 | 112 |
67 | Bakersfield, CA | 43.46 | 72 | 62 |
68 | Honolulu, HI | 43.40 | 74 | 53 |
69 | Cincinnati, OH | 43.38 | 56 | 97 |
70 | Providence, RI | 43.07 | 25 | 147 |
71 | Sacramento, CA | 43.07 | 38 | 135 |
72 | Phoenix, AZ | 42.70 | 75 | 81 |
73 | Burlington, VT | 42.65 | 84 | 52 |
74 | Greensboro, NC | 42.59 | 79 | 69 |
75 | Winston-Salem, NC | 42.56 | 76 | 80 |
76 | Grand Prairie, TX | 42.34 | 103 | 35 |
76 | Lewiston, ME | 42.34 | 98 | 44 |
78 | Portland, OR | 42.12 | 89 | 60 |
79 | Garland, TX | 42.09 | 83 | 72 |
80 | Kansas City, MO | 42.04 | 101 | 38 |
81 | Reno, NV | 41.58 | 123 | 29 |
82 | Rapid City, SD | 41.57 | 116 | 51 |
83 | Wichita, KS | 41.40 | 106 | 55 |
84 | Salem, OR | 41.37 | 112 | 68 |
85 | Tallahassee, FL | 41.04 | 88 | 87 |
86 | Denver, CO | 40.80 | 119 | 45 |
87 | Irving, TX | 40.76 | 120 | 50 |
88 | Jacksonville, FL | 40.57 | 85 | 103 |
89 | Spokane, WA | 40.44 | 140 | 22 |
90 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 40.44 | 81 | 115 |
91 | Arlington, TX | 40.40 | 122 | 61 |
92 | Modesto, CA | 40.38 | 73 | 130 |
93 | Washington, DC | 40.34 | 51 | 154 |
94 | Anaheim, CA | 40.31 | 145 | 25 |
95 | Fort Wayne, IN | 40.24 | 80 | 124 |
96 | Columbus, OH | 40.21 | 78 | 126 |
97 | Fort Worth, TX | 40.14 | 118 | 71 |
98 | Louisville, KY | 40.13 | 96 | 96 |
99 | Nashville, TN | 40.07 | 107 | 89 |
100 | St. Paul, MN | 40.06 | 82 | 121 |
101 | Anchorage, AK | 39.93 | 130 | 42 |
102 | Oxnard, CA | 39.70 | 105 | 98 |
103 | Boston, MA | 39.66 | 57 | 155 |
104 | Orlando, FL | 39.57 | 92 | 109 |
105 | Salt Lake City, UT | 39.55 | 154 | 23 |
106 | Chicago, IL | 39.55 | 77 | 139 |
107 | Nampa, ID | 39.28 | 117 | 102 |
108 | Santa Clarita, CA | 39.11 | 91 | 122 |
109 | Grand Rapids, MI | 39.08 | 114 | 108 |
110 | Santa Rosa, CA | 38.97 | 95 | 118 |
111 | Tampa, FL | 38.95 | 94 | 119 |
112 | Missoula, MT | 38.94 | 156 | 39 |
113 | Vancouver, WA | 38.90 | 143 | 54 |
114 | Ontario, CA | 38.86 | 87 | 132 |
115 | Moreno Valley, CA | 38.71 | 62 | 157 |
116 | Billings, MT | 38.70 | 157 | 49 |
117 | Charleston, WV | 38.68 | 132 | 78 |
118 | Tempe, AZ | 38.67 | 111 | 114 |
119 | Riverside, CA | 38.65 | 100 | 125 |
119 | Glendale, CA | 38.65 | 126 | 91 |
121 | Santa Ana, CA | 38.52 | 131 | 83 |
122 | Charlotte, NC | 38.46 | 90 | 136 |
123 | Des Moines, IA | 38.44 | 102 | 129 |
124 | Garden Grove, CA | 38.39 | 141 | 74 |
125 | Austin, TX | 38.30 | 129 | 85 |
126 | Colorado Springs, CO | 38.28 | 125 | 99 |
127 | Mesa, AZ | 38.18 | 110 | 127 |
128 | Huntsville, AL | 38.02 | 93 | 138 |
129 | Charleston, SC | 37.96 | 67 | 161 |
130 | Henderson, NV | 37.85 | 113 | 131 |
131 | Casper, WY | 37.81 | 167 | 43 |
132 | Pittsburgh, PA | 37.70 | 97 | 141 |
133 | Omaha, NE | 37.56 | 124 | 113 |
134 | Jersey City, NJ | 37.55 | 121 | 128 |
135 | Manchester, NH | 37.50 | 109 | 134 |
136 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | 37.33 | 104 | 145 |
137 | Fontana, CA | 37.30 | 99 | 146 |
138 | Tacoma, WA | 37.14 | 161 | 63 |
139 | Minneapolis, MN | 37.06 | 115 | 142 |
140 | West Valley City, UT | 37.00 | 152 | 92 |
141 | Seattle, WA | 36.97 | 153 | 84 |
142 | St. Petersburg, FL | 36.86 | 146 | 100 |
143 | Cheyenne, WY | 36.71 | 158 | 86 |
144 | Portland, ME | 36.58 | 147 | 111 |
145 | Aurora, CO | 36.53 | 148 | 104 |
146 | Worcester, MA | 36.40 | 108 | 151 |
147 | Port St. Lucie, FL | 35.58 | 151 | 120 |
148 | San Diego, CA | 34.51 | 128 | 156 |
149 | Yonkers, NY | 34.08 | 138 | 152 |
150 | Durham, NC | 33.97 | 144 | 149 |
151 | Lincoln, NE | 33.92 | 155 | 140 |
152 | Oceanside, CA | 33.72 | 142 | 152 |
153 | San Jose, CA | 33.61 | 133 | 162 |
154 | Cape Coral, FL | 33.55 | 136 | 159 |
155 | Chula Vista, CA | 33.33 | 135 | 165 |
155 | Pembroke Pines, FL | 33.33 | 165 | 137 |
157 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 33.23 | 134 | 168 |
158 | Peoria, AZ | 32.83 | 150 | 158 |
159 | Aurora, IL | 32.71 | 127 | 180 |
160 | Juneau, AK | 32.69 | 179 | 123 |
161 | Raleigh, NC | 32.15 | 149 | 169 |
162 | Chesapeake, VA | 32.11 | 137 | 178 |
163 | Boise, ID | 31.83 | 175 | 133 |
164 | Sioux Falls, SD | 31.73 | 168 | 150 |
165 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 31.68 | 159 | 164 |
166 | Chandler, AZ | 31.54 | 162 | 160 |
167 | Scottsdale, AZ | 31.51 | 160 | 163 |
168 | Plano, TX | 31.28 | 178 | 144 |
169 | Nashua, NH | 30.95 | 172 | 148 |
170 | Warwick, RI | 30.30 | 166 | 172 |
171 | Virginia Beach, VA | 30.28 | 164 | 174 |
172 | Gilbert, AZ | 29.96 | 170 | 167 |
173 | South Burlington, VT | 29.82 | 169 | 170 |
174 | Fargo, ND | 29.68 | 176 | 166 |
175 | Fremont, CA | 29.42 | 163 | 181 |
176 | Huntington Beach, CA | 28.93 | 177 | 171 |
177 | Madison, WI | 28.55 | 173 | 177 |
178 | Irvine, CA | 28.33 | 174 | 179 |
179 | Columbia, MD | 27.25 | 171 | 182 |
180 | Bismarck, ND | 26.07 | 180 | 176 |
181 | Pearl City, HI | 25.53 | 181 | 173 |
182 | Overland Park, KS | 23.96 | 182 | 175 |
Note: *No. 1 = Neediest
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of each city, where a rank of 1 represents the worst conditions for that category.
In-Depth Look at the Neediest Cities
Detroit, MI
Detroit is the neediest city, in large part due to the fact that it has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, at 8.3%. Motown also has the second-highest adult poverty rate and third-highest child poverty rate in the country, with more than a quarter of adults and close to half of children living below the poverty line. While Detroit is known for its big role in the auto industry and is part of the backbone of America’s economy, its own residents are unfortunately struggling.
Detroit’s needs aren’t all financial, though. Safety is a big concern, too, as the city has the second-highest violent crime rate in the nation (per 1,000 residents) and one of the highest crime rates overall.
Brownsville, TX
The second-neediest city in America is Brownsville, TX, and one of the biggest contributing factors is that it lags behind other cities when it comes to education, with 32% of the population age 25+ never having graduated high school. Residents also lack the means to get easy access to continued education online, as the city ranks first when it comes to households lacking a computer and a broadband internet connection.
Brownsville unfortunately also leads the nation when it comes to the share of residents without health insurance coverage and the food insecurity rate.
- Highest
- 1. Rochester, NY
- 2. Cleveland, OH
- 3. Detroit, MI
- 4. Buffalo, NY
- 5. Birmingham, AL
- Lowest
- 178. Pembroke Pines, FL
- 179. Gilbert, AZ
- 180. Overland Park, KS
- 181. Fremont, CA
- 182. Pearl City, HI
- Highest
- 1. Huntington, WV
- 2. Detroit, MI
- 3. Cleveland, OH
- 4. Burlington, VT
- 5. Rochester, NY
- Lowest
- 178. Plano, TX
- 179. Gilbert, AZ
- 180. Fremont, CA
- 181. Pearl City, HI
- 182. Overland Park, KS
- Highest
- 1. Honolulu, HI
- 2. San Francisco, CA
- 3. New York, NY
- 4. Long Beach, CA
- 5. Boston, MA
- Lowest
- 138. Houston, TX
- 139. Bridgeport, CT
- 140. Nashua, NH
- 141. Columbia, MD
- 142. Overland Park, KS
- Highest
- T-1. Brownsville, TX
- T-1. Laredo, TX
- 3. Garland, TX
- 4. Houston, TX
- 5. Dallas, TX
- Lowest
- 178. Burlington, VT
- 179. Worcester, MA
- 180. South Burlington, VT
- T-181. Fremont, CA
- T-181. Pearl City, HI
- Highest
- 1. Brownsville, TX
- 2. Gulfport, MS
- 3. Fort Smith, AR
- 4. Laredo, TX
- 5. Corpus Christi, TX
- Lowest
- T-177. Minneapolis, MN
- T-177. Madison, WI
- 179. Chesapeake, VA
- 180. Aurora, IL
- 181. Fargo, ND
- 182. Bismarck, ND
- Highest
- T-1. San Francisco, CA
- T-1. Newport News, VA
- 3. Detroit, MI
- T-4. Hialeah, FL
- T-4. Birmingham, AL
- T-4. Missoula, MT
- Lowest
- T-165. Santa Ana, CA
- T-165. Plano, TX
- T-165. Chandler, AZ
- T-180. Lewiston, ME
- T-180. Burlington, VT
- T-180. Pearl City, HI
- Highest
- T-1. San Francisco, CA
- T-1. Honolulu, HI
- T-1. Anaheim, CA
- T-1. Glendale, CA
- T-1. Garden Grove, CA
- T-1. Lewiston, ME
- T-1. Burlington, VT
- Lowest
- T-177. Chula Vista, CA
- T-177. Augusta, GA
- T-177. Cape Coral, FL
- T-177. Juneau, AK
- 181. South Burlington, VT
- 182. West Valley City, UT
Ask the Experts
We asked a panel of experts to share their insight and advice to understand better the changes and challenges experienced by groups in need and those who desire to help. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and responses to the following key questions:
- How has the composition of people in need (age, race, gender, etc.) changed in recent decades?
- What are the main challenges facing low-income families today?
- Which policy interventions have proven successful in helping families achieve economic independence? Which ones have failed?
- How can charities and nonprofits most effectively serve the poor?
- What should be the main focus of local authorities when outlining a strategy to help people in need in the high inflation context?
Ask the Experts
Methodology
In order to determine the cities with the neediest populations, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Economic Well-Being” and “Health & Safety.”
We evaluated those dimensions using 28 relevant metrics listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest level of economic disadvantage. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only.
Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case and excluded cities in the surrounding metro area.
Economic Well-Being - Total Points: 60
- Child Poverty Rate: Triple Weight (~7.83 Points)
- Adult Poverty Rate: Triple Weight (~7.83 Points)
- Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- Homelessness Rate: Triple Weight (~7.83 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of homeless persons per 1,000 residents. - Presence of Homeless Criminalization Laws: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Note: This binary metric considers the presence or absence of such legislation. - Change in Family Homelessness (2022 vs 2021): Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Note: This metric refers to the Sharecare Community Well-Being Index Score. - Consumer Bankruptcy Rate: Half Weight (~1.30 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of nonbusiness bankruptcy filings per capita. - Foreclosure Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- Share of Owner-Occupied Housing Units Spending at Least 35% of Their Household Income on Housing: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- Share of Delinquent Debtors: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- High School Dropout Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- Undereducated Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of population aged 25 and over who did not graduate from high school. - Share of Children Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
- “Economic Security” Ranking: Half* Weight (~1.30 Points)
Note: This metric measures the state’s policy potential to improve the economic security of workers, families and retirees and is based on the Economic Security Scorecard produced by the WOW (Wider Opportunities for Women) nonprofit organization. - Economic Mobility: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Health & Safety - Total Points: 40
- Uninsured Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of residents without health insurance coverage. - Food Insecurity Rate: Double Weight (~7.27 Points)
- Share of Homes with Inadequate Plumbing: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of occupied housing units without complete plumbing facilities. - Share of Homes with Inadequate Kitchens: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of occupied housing units without complete kitchen facilities. - Share of Severely Overcrowded Homes: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of occupied housing units that are considered “severely overcrowded,” meaning more than 1.5 persons occupy each room. - Share of Offline Homes: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of households lacking a computer and broadband Internet service. - Share of Adults Who Needed to See a Doctor but Couldn’t: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric refers to the share of adults who needed to see a doctor in the past year, but couldn’t because of costs. - Share of Depressed Adults: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults who were diagnosed with depression. - Suicide Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
- Crime Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected as of October 30, 2023 from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Chmura Economics & Analytics, County Health Rankings, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Equality of Opportunity Project, Feeding America, Wider Opportunities for Women, ATTOM, a property data provider - U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, Sharecare Community Well-Being Index and TransUnion.
UPDATE: An earlier version of this report contained a calculation error for the “Homelessness Rate” for Fresno, CA. The original calculation was based solely on the population of Madera County. This calculation was updated on January 5, 2023 at 12:30 PM ET, based on the combined population of Fresno and Madera counties, and the rankings were adjusted based on this corrected calculation.
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