19. New Orleans, LA
There's no argument that the Big Easy is full of vitality and uniqueness, but if you live here, you have a 1:74 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime and a 1:21 chance of dealing with a property crime. New Orleans is a dangerous place, with one of the highest murder rates in the country. Lots of young, single, upwardly mobile professionals find their way here, making the per capita income higher than most places in the state. But, 23% of the city's residents live below the poverty level.
Unemployment rate: 6.5%
Median household income: $43,258
Walk Score ranking: 58 (somewhat walkable)
20. Brownsville, TX
This border town not only deals with crime but also with high unemployment rates. More than 27% of its residents live below the poverty level. While the cost of living and home prices are much lower here, good-paying jobs are hard to find. Because of its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Brownsville is also one of the most hurricane-vulnerable cities in the country. Noise pollution, due to the air traffic in and out of the local airport, is a major factor affecting the quality of life.
Unemployment rate: 6.5%
Median household income: $40,924
Walk Score ranking: 35 (car dependent)
