The Saddest, Unhappiest Cities in America

20. Detroit, Michigan

It’s hard to be happy when you’re battling a serious health issue. The rates of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are higher here than anywhere else in the state or nation. And, they are the primary causes of death in Motor City. Industrial pollutants in the city’s waterways and air pollution from its many industrial facilities and motor vehicles make it even harder to thrive in Detroit. Add to that high crime, unemployment, and poverty rates, and it’s easy to see why Detroit is the unhappiest place in America.

• Unemployment Rate: 24.90%
• Divorce Rate: 12.0%
• Three-Year Change in Earnings Per Individual: -2.77%
• Well-Being Index Score: 60.70
• Poor Mental Health Days: 4.30
• Misery Score: 99.6