Top 10 Worst Places to Live In California . Top 10 Worst Cities In California to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in California. Top 10 Worst Villages in California. If you’re thinking about a move to California, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In California You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In California. 10 Places in California You Should NEVER Move To.

TOP 10 WORST CITIES TO LIVE IN CALIFORNIA

Table of Contents

• 1. SAN BERNARDINO
• 2. COMPTON
• 3. VICTORVILLE
• 4. SOUTH GATE
• 5. HAWTHORNE
• 6. RICHMOND
• 7. STOCKTON
• 8. LANCASTER
• 9. FRESNO
• 10. HEMET

 

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1. SAN BERNARDINO

San Bernardino is situated in Southern California, approximately 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. City ranks 1st in Violent Crimes, Murders, Assaults and 2nd in Robberies. With a population of 216,784, the city faces significant economic and social challenges. The poverty rate of 23.7% is 69.29% higher than the national average, and the typical household income is 26.98% below the national average. Financial hardship is widespread, with one in every four residents living below the poverty line. Additionally, more than one in every 15 households earns less than $10,000 a year. The city also grapples with a high unemployment rate of 8.7%, which is 85.11% higher than the national rate. The overall crime rate in San Bernardino is 79.12% higher than the national average, with a particularly alarming violent crime rate that is 261.29% higher. Residents have a 1 in 71 chance of being a victim of violent crime, and the property crime rate is 43.02% above the national average, giving residents a 1 in 36 chance of being affected. The city's high crime rates and economic struggles reflect deep-rooted issues that need addressing.

Population : 216784
Unemployment Rate : 8.7%
Poverty : 23.7%
Median Home Value : $272600
Median Home Income : $49287
Overall Score : 4/10
Violent Crime : 3033
Property Crime : 6059

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2. COMPTON

Compton is located in the Los Angeles County area, just 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. City ranks 8th in Unemployment, 7th in Poverty in the California. City ranks 4th in Violent Crimes, 4th in Murders, 3rd in Robberies, 3rd in Assaults. With a population of 95,804, it is known for its persistent economic and social difficulties. The poverty rate stands at 19.5%, which is 39.29% higher than the national average, and households earn 13.03% less than the national average. Only 62% of adults in Compton have a high school diploma, which is below the national average of 87.7%. The city's unemployment rate of 9.1% is 93.62% higher than the national rate. Crime rates in Compton are also a major concern, with the overall crime rate 50.58% higher than the national average and violent crime rates 203.58% higher. Residents face a 1 in 85 chance of being a victim of violent crime, and the property crime rate is 20.26% above average, with a 1 in 43 chance of being affected. These factors highlight Compton's ongoing socio-economic challenges.

Population : 95804
Unemployment Rate : 9.1%
Poverty : 19.5%
Median Home Value : $383500
Median Home Income : $58703
Overall Score : 5/10
Violent Crime : 1125
Property Crime : 2249

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3. VICTORVILLE

Victorville is located in the High Desert region of Southern California, about 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles. City ranks 2nd in Unemployment, 10th in Median Income, 5th in Poverty and Assaults in the California. With a population of 122,958, the city struggles with high unemployment and poverty rates. The poverty rate of 21% is 50% higher than the national average, and the typical household earns 18.29% less than the national average. Financial hardship is prevalent, with more than one in every 17 households earning less than $10,000 annually. The unemployment rate of 11.1% is 136.17% higher than the national rate. Crime in Victorville is also notable, with the overall crime rate 5.35% above the national average and violent crime rates 126.98% higher. Residents have a 1 in 113 chance of experiencing violent crime. These high rates of unemployment, poverty, and crime underscore the economic and social challenges faced by Victorville.

Population : 122958
Unemployment Rate : 11.1%
Poverty : 21%
Median Home Value : $235700
Median Home Income : $55155
Overall Score : 5/10
Violent Crime : 1084
Property Crime : 1958

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4. SOUTH GATE

South Gate is situated in the southeastern part of Los Angeles County, just south of downtown Los Angeles. City ranks 9th in Unemployment and Median Income in the California. . The city, with a population of 94,905, deals with economic and social difficulties that impact its residents' quality of life. The poverty rate of 15.5% is 10.71% higher than the national average, and the typical household income is 18.39% below the national average. Only 59% of adults have a high school diploma, compared to 87.7% nationwide. The unemployment rate of 8.8% is 87.23% higher than the national rate. South Gate's overall crime rate is 63.63% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 75.9% above average. Residents face a 1 in 149 chance of being a victim of violent crime, while the property crime rate is 61.2% higher, leading to a 1 in 32 chance of being affected. These statistics reflect the city's significant socio-economic challenges.

Population : 94905
Unemployment Rate : 8.8%
Poverty : 15.5%
Median Home Value : $438100
Median Home Income : $55084
Overall Score : 5/10
Violent Crime : 637
Property Crime : 2946

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5. HAWTHORNE

Hawthorne is located in the southwestern part of Los Angeles County, approximately 17 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. With a population of 85,410, the city experiences notable economic and social issues. The poverty rate of 15.9% is 13.57% higher than the national average, and the typical household income is 14.3% below the national average. The unemployment rate of 6.9% is 46.81% higher than the national rate. The city's overall crime rate is 13.94% higher than the national average, and the violent crime rate is 101.65% above average. Residents have a 1 in 127 chance of being a victim of violent crime. Despite having a relatively lower overall crime rate compared to other cities in California, the economic hardships and crime rates indicate ongoing challenges for Hawthorne's residents.

Population : 85410
Unemployment Rate : 6.9%
Poverty : 15.9%
Median Home Value : $602100
Median Home Income : $57849
Overall Score : 6/10
Violent Crime : 675
Property Crime : 1631

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6. RICHMOND

Richmond is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, situated to the northeast of San Francisco and across the bay from Oakland. City ranks 5th in Murders, 4th in Assaults, 2nd in Car Thefts.  With a population of 110,051, Richmond faces serious economic and social challenges. The city's unemployment rate stands at 6.3%, which is 34.04% higher than the national average. The overall crime rate is 81.92% higher than the national average, with a particularly high violent crime rate, which is 148.56% above average. Residents have a 1 in 102 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Property crime is also a concern, with a rate 68.72% higher than the national average and a 1 in 30 chance of being affected. Richmond's significant crime rates and economic struggles highlight the need for targeted interventions.

Population : 110051
Unemployment Rate : 6.3%
Poverty : 13.9%
Median Home Value : $505800
Median Home Income : $72463
Overall Score : 6/10
Violent Crime : 1074
Property Crime : 3679

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7. STOCKTON

Stockton is situated in the Central Valley region of California, approximately 80 miles south of Sacramento. City ranks 3rd in Violent Crimes, 5th in Robberies, 2nd in Assaults. The city has a population of 311,103 and grapples with high poverty and unemployment rates. Stockton's poverty rate is 16.8%, which is 20% higher than the national average, and the unemployment rate of 8.1% is 72.34% above the national rate. The city's overall crime rate is 81.53% higher than the national average, with a violent crime rate 229.18% higher. Residents have a 1 in 77 chance of experiencing violent crime, while the property crime rate is 52.27% higher than average, giving a 1 in 33 chance of being a victim. These factors underline Stockton's ongoing economic and safety issues.

Population : 311103
Unemployment Rate : 8.1%
Poverty : 16.8%
Median Home Value : $298200
Median Home Income : $58393
Overall Score : 6/10
Violent Crime : 4023
Property Crime : 9391

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8. LANCASTER

Lancaster is located in the Antelope Valley region of Northern Los Angeles County, about 70 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. City ranks 6th in Poverty in the California. With a population of 157,697, Lancaster faces notable economic difficulties. The city's poverty rate is 20.2%, which is 44.29% higher than the national average, and the unemployment rate is 6.6%, 40.43% above the national rate. The overall crime rate is 5.1% higher than the national average, and the violent crime rate is 95.8% higher. Residents have a 1 in 132 chance of being a victim of violent crime. Lancaster's economic hardship and crime rates reflect significant challenges for its residents.

Population : 157697
Unemployment Rate : 6.6%
Poverty : 20.2%
Median Home Value : $280300
Median Home Income : $58413
Overall Score : 6/10
Violent Crime : 1198
Property Crime : 2690

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9. FRESNO

Fresno is situated in the Central Valley of California, roughly midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. City ranks 5th in Unemployment and Median Income, 2nd in Poverty in the California. The city, with a population of 526,147, experiences severe economic issues. The poverty rate in Fresno is 23.5%, which is 67.86% higher than the national average. The unemployment rate stands at 9.5%, 102.13% above the national rate. The overall crime rate in Fresno is 66.23% higher than average, with a violent crime rate 43.12% higher. Residents face a 1 in 178 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime, while the property crime rate is 70.82% higher, giving a 1 in 30 chance of being affected. These statistics highlight the significant socio-economic challenges faced by Fresno.

Population : 526147
Unemployment Rate : 9.5%
Poverty : 23.5%
Median Home Value : $256000
Median Home Income : $53368
Overall Score : 5/10
Violent Crime : 2953
Property Crime : 17787

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10. HEMET

Hemet is located in Riverside County, in Southern California, approximately 85 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. With a population of 84,686, Hemet faces considerable economic and social difficulties. City ranks 1st in Unemployment and Median Income, 10th in Poverty in the California. The poverty rate is 17.8%, 27.14% higher than the national average, and the unemployment rate of 12% is 155.32% higher than the national rate. The overall crime rate in Hemet is 19.37% higher than average, with a violent crime rate 3.92% above average. Residents have a 1 in 244 chance of being a victim of violent crime, and the property crime rate is 22.43% higher, giving a 1 in 41 chance of being affected. These factors indicate that Hemet struggles with significant economic and safety issues.

Population : 84686
Unemployment Rate : 12%
Poverty : 17.8%
Median Home Value : $213000
Median Home Income : $43152
Overall Score : 5/10
Violent Crime : 347
Property Crime : 2063

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