Happy spouse, happy house, but if the kids and the family pets aren’t happy, too, a house can never be a home.

That’s problematic, because according to the most recent U.S. Census, American families are often on the move, constantly searching for a new house to call home. To find that new home, many families may change their address an estimated 11.7 times while members all live under the same roof. Families may decide to move to accept a new job or to find more affordable housing, but they may also pull up roots because of instability, perhaps after they face a foreclosure or job loss. Rich or poor, most families are looking to move to cities that provide a safe environment and have low unemployment rates. However, not all cities can offer what all family members need and want to make each of them happy. 

To identify these municipal migraines-in-the-making before another family has the misfortune of moving to any one of them, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities, including 150 of the most populous, using 46 relevant metrics such as cost of housing, quality of local school and healthcare systems, and opportunities for fun and recreation, across the five key dimensions of family fun; health and safety; education and childcare; affordability; and socio-economics. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for family life and zero representing the least favorable. WalletHub then determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score in rank-ordering its study sample. The 10 lowest-ranking cities are the worst places for a family to live happily ever after.

Here are the top 10 worst U.S. cities to raise a family in 2023.

10. Augusta, Ga.

Families with young children should do their homework before enrolling their kids in one of the city’s many low-performing schools. Augusta ranks 133^rd in family fun; 161^st in health and safety; 136^th in education and childcare; 151^st in affordability; and 157^th in socio-economics. Total score: 40.53.

9. Jackson, Miss.

Jackson is a nice place to visit, but think twice before moving there with the wife and kids. Jackson ranks 72^nd in family fun, 179^th in health and safety; 131^st in education and childcare; 140^th in affordability; and 167^th in socio-economics. Total score: 40.38.

8. Shreveport, La.

Although Shreveport boasts great weather, affordable housing and some of the best schools in the state, many residents live in poverty, which in turn breeds crime. The city ranks 120^th in family fun; 178^th in health and safety; 119^th in education and childcare; 158^th in affordability; and 149^th in socio-economics. Total score: 39.96.

7. Fayetteville, N.C.

Nicknamed “Fayettenam” by locals, Fayetteville earned its moniker because it is home to a large military base and has a very high crime rate. Fayetteville ranks 111^th in family fun; 171^st in health and safety; 164^th in education and childcare; 160^th in affordability; and 147^th in socio-economics. Total score: 39.85.

6. Newark, N.J.

Newark used to be called the "Stolen Car Capital of the World." While car thefts have gone down, the cost of living there has gone up. Get back in the family car and keep driving. Newark ranks 99^th with the fewest playgrounds per capita and 182^nd with the lowest median family salary. The city ranks 171^st in family fun; 65^th in health and safety; 38^th in education and childcare; 179^th in affordability; and 178^th in socio-economics. Total score: 38.72.

5. San Bernardino, Calif.

If you turn the wrong corner in San Bernardino, don’t be surprised to see homeless people, drug use and gang activity. Not all cities have bad areas, but the bad areas in San Bernardino are really bad, locals say. The city ranks 23^rd in family fun; 164^th in health and safety; 177^th in education and childcare; 178^th in affordability; and 152^nd in socio-economics. Total score: 38.17.

4. Birmingham, Ala.

While this progressive Southern city is a popular foodie destination, many of its bars and restaurants open later or not at all on Sundays. Birmingham ranks 178^th with the lowest percentage of families with young kids and 180^th for highest divorce rate, and it is tied at 168^th with Baltimore, St. Louis, Detroit, and Memphis for highest violent crime rate per capita. The city ranks 137^th in family fun; 175^th for health and safety; 171^st for education and childcare; 148^th in affordability; and 169^th in socio-economics. Total score: 37.80.

3. Memphis, Tenn.

With limited public transportation, most people need a car in Memphis, whether they are commuting to work, shopping at the local grocery store or just sitting in traffic. Memphis is tied at 168^th with Baltimore, St. Louis, Detroit, and Birmingham for the highest violent crime rate per capita. The city ranks 167^th for family fun; 182^nd for health and safety; 165^th for education and childcare; 143^rd for affordability; and 168^th for socio-economics. Total score: 34.92.

2. Cleveland, Ohio

Housing costs more for families living in Cleveland, while employers pay less. Cleveland ranks 181^st for the highest percentage of families living below the poverty line and 182^nd for the highest divorce rate. The city ranks 83^rd for family fun; 159^th for health and safety; 176^th for education and childcare; 167^th for affordability; and 181^st for socio-economics. Total score: 34.50.

1. Detroit, Mich.

With high crime, high taxes and harsh winters, life in the Motor City is a daily challenge for most families. Detroit ranks 179^th for the lowest median family salary; 182^nd for the highest percentage of families living below the poverty line; and 181^st for the highest divorce rate. Detroit is tied at 168^th with Baltimore, St. Louis, Memphis and Birmingham for the highest violent crime rate per capita. The city ranks 82^nd in family fun; 162^nd in health and safety; 180^th in education and childcare; 162^nd in affordability; and 182^nd for socio-economics. Total score: 34.15.

To review all 182 rankings of this WalletHub study, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/best-cities-for-families/4435.