Higher unemployment rates often reflect structural economic challenges: declining industries, seasonal work patterns, or limited local employers. While the headline number can be concerning, some of these cities are actively investing in economic development. Check income and housing costs alongside unemployment to understand the full picture.
| # | City | Unemployment | Median Rent | Median Income | Home Value | Rent-to-Income | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Calexico, CA | 18.3% | $1,049 | $50,021 | $281,700 | 25.2% | 38,476 |
| 2 | Chester, PA | 17.5% | $1,080 | $39,809 | $85,400 | 32.6% | 33,209 |
| 3 | Flint, MI | 17.4% | $859 | $36,194 | $47,600 | 28.5% | 80,835 |
| 4 | Brawley, CA | 15.4% | $954 | $60,370 | $270,100 | 19% | 26,934 |
| 5 | Detroit, MI | 14.1% | $1,034 | $39,575 | $76,800 | 31.4% | 636,644 |
| 6 | Camden, NJ | 14.1% | $1,157 | $40,450 | $100,400 | 34.3% | 71,471 |
| 7 | Eastpointe, MI | 13.3% | $1,335 | $58,196 | $129,100 | 27.5% | 34,003 |
| 8 | Gary, IN | 13.0% | $975 | $37,380 | $85,300 | 31.3% | 68,604 |
| 9 | Perth Amboy, NJ | 12.8% | $1,629 | $58,490 | $339,200 | 33.4% | 55,278 |
| 10 | Inkster, MI | 12.8% | $1,127 | $39,632 | $75,700 | 34.1% | 25,602 |
| 11 | Chicago Heights, IL | 12.7% | $1,035 | $57,479 | $149,900 | 21.6% | 26,938 |
| 12 | Atlantic City, NJ | 12.6% | $1,084 | $36,220 | $189,600 | 35.9% | 38,486 |
| 13 | Reedley, CA | 12.4% | $1,198 | $62,923 | $311,700 | 22.8% | 25,446 |
| 14 | Merced, CA | 12.2% | $1,293 | $59,938 | $347,700 | 25.9% | 89,766 |
| 15 | Reading, PA | 12.1% | $1,018 | $45,599 | $109,800 | 26.8% | 94,836 |
| 16 | Youngstown, OH | 11.9% | $718 | $34,746 | $58,400 | 24.8% | 59,605 |
| 17 | Madera, CA | 11.8% | $1,237 | $63,619 | $335,900 | 23.3% | 67,133 |
| 18 | Bullhead City, AZ | 11.8% | $1,034 | $47,717 | $196,900 | 26% | 42,193 |
| 19 | Pine Hills, FL | 11.7% | $1,451 | $55,692 | $233,700 | 31.3% | 82,264 |
| 20 | Hamtramck, MI | 11.7% | $907 | $40,103 | $116,400 | 27.1% | 27,830 |
| 21 | Adelanto, CA | 11.6% | $1,389 | $68,419 | $318,300 | 24.4% | 38,010 |
| 22 | Westmont, CA | 11.6% | $1,413 | $47,899 | $617,300 | 35.4% | 34,291 |
| 23 | Victorville, CA | 11.5% | $1,568 | $70,663 | $342,500 | 26.6% | 135,983 |
| 24 | Saginaw, MI | 11.5% | $909 | $37,298 | $54,000 | 29.2% | 43,879 |
| 25 | East Niles, CA | 11.5% | $1,219 | $51,250 | $228,100 | 28.5% | 28,586 |
| 26 | Cleveland, OH | 11.4% | $894 | $39,187 | $94,100 | 27.4% | 367,523 |
| 27 | Albany, GA | 11.4% | $898 | $45,201 | $118,700 | 23.8% | 67,939 |
| 28 | Delano, CA | 11.4% | $1,111 | $61,817 | $270,300 | 21.6% | 50,835 |
| 29 | Passaic, NJ | 11.3% | $1,392 | $56,780 | $406,500 | 29.4% | 69,651 |
| 30 | Petersburg, VA | 11.1% | $1,132 | $50,741 | $157,900 | 26.8% | 33,365 |
| 31 | York, PA | 11.0% | $958 | $47,115 | $103,100 | 24.4% | 44,830 |
| 32 | Newark, NJ | 10.9% | $1,330 | $48,416 | $337,800 | 33% | 307,188 |
| 33 | Atwater, CA | 10.9% | $1,219 | $63,945 | $340,600 | 22.9% | 32,013 |
| 34 | Dinuba, CA | 10.9% | $1,146 | $59,048 | $267,300 | 23.3% | 25,201 |
| 35 | San Luis, AZ | 10.8% | $746 | $57,364 | $197,400 | 15.6% | 35,998 |
| 36 | Jackson, MI | 10.8% | $874 | $42,848 | $94,700 | 24.5% | 31,206 |
| 37 | Hartford, CT | 10.6% | $1,221 | $45,300 | $217,200 | 32.3% | 119,970 |
| 38 | Pontiac, MI | 10.6% | $1,007 | $42,791 | $110,600 | 28.2% | 61,914 |
| 39 | Monroe, LA | 10.6% | $823 | $36,521 | $174,800 | 27% | 47,241 |
| 40 | DeKalb, IL | 10.6% | $1,030 | $46,564 | $202,900 | 26.5% | 40,464 |
| 41 | Trenton, NJ | 10.5% | $1,224 | $47,102 | $122,500 | 31.2% | 89,966 |
| 42 | Ceres, CA | 10.4% | $1,584 | $76,862 | $397,200 | 24.7% | 48,918 |
| 43 | Coachella, CA | 10.4% | $1,115 | $67,558 | $341,300 | 19.8% | 42,594 |
| 44 | Kent, OH | 10.4% | $983 | $42,524 | $210,700 | 27.7% | 27,190 |
| 45 | East Orange, NJ | 10.3% | $1,372 | $59,872 | $315,500 | 27.5% | 69,183 |
| 46 | Salisbury, MD | 10.3% | $1,247 | $56,402 | $217,500 | 26.5% | 33,080 |
| 47 | Paterson, NJ | 10.2% | $1,457 | $53,766 | $335,400 | 32.5% | 157,660 |
| 48 | Greenville, MS | 10.2% | $824 | $36,297 | $100,800 | 27.2% | 28,833 |
| 49 | West Chicago, IL | 10.2% | $1,376 | $100,568 | $306,500 | 16.4% | 25,434 |
| 50 | Pahrump, NV | 10.1% | $1,152 | $58,560 | $283,400 | 23.6% | 45,811 |
Key Takeaways
- Calexico, CA ranks #1 with an unemployment rate of 18.3%.
- The top 5 cities are: Calexico, CA; Chester, PA; Flint, MI; Brawley, CA; Detroit, MI.
- The gap between #1 (18.3%) and #50 (10.1%) shows significant variation even within the top 50.
- Median household income in the top-ranked city is $50,021, with a population of 38,476.
Methodology
Rankings based on US Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. All cities with valid data and populations above 25,000 are included. Rent-to-income ratio is calculated as (median gross rent x 12) / median household income. Data reflects the most recent available estimates.