Texas Cities Rank Among Lowest in 2024 Quality of Life Study

SAN ANGELO, TX - Texas cities have been highlighted in LawnStarter’s 2024 rankings of U.S. cities with the highest and lowest quality of life, released to mark National Park and Recreation Month in July. 

The study evaluated 500 of the largest U.S. cities based on 53 metrics grouped into 16 categories, including life expectancy, unemployment rates, workers’ rights, and food security.

Bottom 10 Cities for Quality of Life:

1. Flint, MI
2. Detroit, MI
3. Pharr, TX
4. Pasadena, TX
5. Brownsville, TX
6. Baytown, TX
7. Jackson, MS
8. Beaumont, TX
9. Corpus Christi, TX
10. Laredo, TX

Top 10 Cities for Quality of Life:

1. Redmond, WA
2. Newton, MA
3. Woodbury, MN
4. Bellevue, WA
5. Pleasanton, CA
6. Plymouth, MN
7. San Ramon, CA
8. Irvine, CA
9. Castle Rock, CO
10. Carmel, IN

Key Insights:

• Texas Cities: Several Texas cities, including Pharr, Pasadena, Brownsville, Baytown, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and Laredo, rank among the lowest in quality of life, facing significant challenges in family and food security, economic stability, housing, and infrastructure.
• Redmond, WA, and Bellevue, WA: These cities rank highly in overall quality of life but face challenges with low percentages of sunshine, which can affect vitamin D levels and contribute to higher depression rates.
• Midwest Cities: Woodbury, MN, Carmel, IN, and Naperville, IL, offer more affordable housing, safety, and a lower cost of living. These cities boast low poverty levels and high purchasing power.
• Educational Powerhouses: Newton, MA, Cambridge, MA, and New York, NY, excel in education and mental health. Despite these strengths, seven cities in Massachusetts and New York are in the bottom half of the ranking.
• Lowest Quality of Life: Flint, MI, and Detroit, MI, face severe challenges in family and food security, economic stability, housing, and infrastructure.

For more details and methodology on the study, visit LawnStarter’s full report.