Do you live in one of the most miserable places in Texas?
Only a third of Texans say they are truly happy. That’s too bad, considering that folks in Texas don’t really have it too bad in the grand scheme of things.
But, we were curious – which Texas cities might be the most miserable? We’re about to find out, using Saturday Night Science and data.
After analyzing the 355 largest cities, we sadly present the most miserable cities in the Lone Star State.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Most Miserable Places In Texas
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked. If you have a smile on your face, you probably don’t live in one of these cities.
Oh, and by the way, Alamo Heights is the happiest place in Texas.
For more Texas reading, check out:
The 10 Most Miserable Places In Texas For 2023
/10
Population: 5,613
Poverty Level: 30.3%
Median Home Price $80,700
Married Households 13.0%
Households With Kids 52.21%
More on Hutchins: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 27,369
Poverty Level: 11.9%
Median Home Price $153,600
Married Households 18.0%
Households With Kids 48.95%
More on Balch Springs: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 13,797
Poverty Level: 15.5%
Median Home Price $130,500
Married Households 15.0%
Households With Kids 49.95%
More on Forest Hill: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 16,354
Poverty Level: 20.0%
Median Home Price $129,500
Married Households 17.0%
Households With Kids 49.01%
More on South Houston: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 9,734
Poverty Level: 17.8%
Median Home Price $90,400
Married Households 14.0%
Households With Kids 38.46%
More on Jacinto City: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 18,263
Poverty Level: 14.1%
Median Home Price $162,800
Married Households 20.0%
Households With Kids 48.06%
More on Seagoville: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 10,770
Poverty Level: 29.8%
Median Home Price $84,800
Married Households 14.0%
Households With Kids 47.72%
More on Galena Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 17,993
Poverty Level: 30.6%
Median Home Price $84,300
Married Households 19.0%
Households With Kids 58.28%
More on Alton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 7,515
Poverty Level: 8.4%
Median Home Price $124,400
Married Households 20.0%
Households With Kids 39.47%
More on Cleveland: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
/10
Population: 5,188
Poverty Level: 21.5%
Median Home Price $68,000
Married Households 13.0%
Households With Kids 51.54%
More on Brookshire: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
Methodology: How We Measured The Most Miserable Cities In The Lone Star State
To rank the unhappiest places in Texas, we had to determine what criteria make people happy. It isn’t a stretch to assume that happy people earn great salaries, are relatively stress-free, and have a stable home life.
So we went to the Census’s American Community Survey 2017-2021 report for the happy criteria, flipped the list with Saturday Night Science, and it spit out the answer.
Like magic.
Here are the criteria we used to measure misery:
- Percentage of residents with a college degree
- Average commute times
- Unemployment rates
- Cost of living
- % of married couples
- % of families with kids
- Poverty rate
After we decided on the criteria, we gathered the data for the 355 places in Texas with over 5,000 people.
We then ranked each place from one to 355 for each of the seven criteria, with a score of one being the most miserable (Any ties were given to the larger place).
Next, we averaged the seven rankings into a Miserable Index for each place with the lowest overall Miserable Index “earning” the title “Most Miserable City In Texas.”
If you’d like to see the complete list of states, most miserable to happiest, scroll to the bottom of this post to see the unabridged chart.
We updated this article for 2023, and it’s our tenth time ranking the most miserable cities in Texas.
There You Have It – The Least Happy Cities In Texas
As we said earlier, trying to determine the most miserable cities in Texas is usually a subjective matter.
But if you’re analyzing cities where people are not stable, where you’re stuck in traffic, and no one spent the time to go to college, then this is an accurate list.
If you’re curious enough, here are the happiest cities in Texas, according to science:
- Alamo Heights
- Fredericksburg
- College Station
For more Texas reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Texas
- Cheapest Places To Live In Texas
- Most Dangerous Places In Texas
- Richest Cities In Texas
- Safest Places In Texas
- Worst Places To Live In Texas
- Most Expensive Places To Live In Texas
Miserable Cities In Texas For 2023
| Rank | City | Population | Poverty Level | Median Home Value | % Married | % Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hutchins, TX | 5,613 | 30.3% | $80,700 | 13.0% | 52.21% |
| 2 | Balch Springs, TX | 27,369 | 11.9% | $153,600 | 18.0% | 48.95% |
| 3 | Forest Hill, TX | 13,797 | 15.5% | $130,500 | 15.0% | 49.95% |
| 4 | South Houston, TX | 16,354 | 20.0% | $129,500 | 17.0% | 49.01% |
| 5 | Jacinto City, TX | 9,734 | 17.8% | $90,400 | 14.0% | 38.46% |
| 6 | Seagoville, TX | 18,263 | 14.1% | $162,800 | 20.0% | 48.06% |
| 7 | Galena Park, TX | 10,770 | 29.8% | $84,800 | 14.0% | 47.72% |
| 8 | Alton, TX | 17,993 | 30.6% | $84,300 | 19.0% | 58.28% |
| 9 | Cleveland, TX | 7,515 | 8.4% | $124,400 | 20.0% | 39.47% |
| 10 | Brookshire, TX | 5,188 | 21.5% | $68,000 | 13.0% | 51.54% |
| 11 | Roma, TX | 11,451 | 34.9% | $72,800 | 15.0% | 38.89% |
| 12 | Sansom Park, TX | 5,363 | 20.8% | $108,400 | 18.0% | 42.98% |
| 13 | Socorro, TX | 34,687 | 23.3% | $101,900 | 16.0% | 45.44% |
| 14 | Little Elm, TX | 45,124 | 7.5% | $293,200 | 13.0% | 50.24% |
| 15 | Copperas Cove, TX | 35,452 | 10.3% | $125,500 | 12.0% | 39.28% |
| 16 | Everman, TX | 6,148 | 29.1% | $122,300 | 18.0% | 40.5% |
| 17 | Penitas, TX | 6,206 | 27.3% | $122,100 | 19.0% | 67.45% |
| 18 | Pasadena, TX | 151,964 | 17.9% | $142,900 | 18.0% | 42.63% |
| 19 | Freeport, TX | 10,864 | 20.9% | $90,800 | 26.0% | 47.48% |
| 20 | Rusk, TX | 5,501 | 11.3% | $82,800 | 23.0% | 33.47% |
| 21 | Alamo, TX | 19,644 | 23.5% | $85,700 | 19.0% | 44.15% |
| 22 | Mesquite, TX | 149,848 | 11.5% | $170,600 | 19.0% | 41.27% |
| 23 | Crowley, TX | 17,977 | 7.0% | $174,600 | 25.0% | 49.66% |
| 24 | Baytown, TX | 82,543 | 18.5% | $140,000 | 19.0% | 39.2% |
| 25 | Killeen, TX | 150,082 | 15.7% | $147,400 | 9.0% | 39.84% |
| 26 | Port Arthur, TX | 55,757 | 25.8% | $80,200 | 16.0% | 34.85% |
| 27 | Horizon City, TX | 22,075 | 15.5% | $123,300 | 27.0% | 56.84% |
| 28 | Willis, TX | 6,410 | 10.6% | $94,700 | 21.0% | 25.49% |
| 29 | Fulshear, TX | 17,259 | 2.1% | $445,500 | 15.0% | 57.69% |
| 30 | Iowa Colony, TX | 8,187 | 3.8% | $260,300 | 25.0% | 47.21% |
| 31 | Palmview, TX | 14,654 | 22.4% | $84,600 | 16.0% | 37.66% |
| 32 | Donna, TX | 16,743 | 43.2% | $58,900 | 24.0% | 41.31% |
| 33 | Marlin, TX | 5,512 | 39.6% | $47,200 | 16.0% | 23.32% |
| 34 | Pharr, TX | 78,997 | 32.5% | $85,600 | 17.0% | 51.15% |
| 35 | San Juan, TX | 35,384 | 26.0% | $95,100 | 23.0% | 54.54% |
| 36 | Lancaster, TX | 41,057 | 14.7% | $161,600 | 25.0% | 46.87% |
| 37 | Manor, TX | 13,928 | 7.0% | $218,300 | 20.0% | 59.24% |
| 38 | Murphy, TX | 20,655 | 4.7% | $396,300 | 18.0% | 58.26% |
| 39 | Cibolo, TX | 31,489 | 5.4% | $248,200 | 20.0% | 49.59% |
| 40 | Pearsall, TX | 7,888 | 28.0% | $79,200 | 18.0% | 43.88% |
| 41 | Wylie, TX | 55,426 | 6.7% | $267,800 | 19.0% | 50.85% |
| 42 | Rio Grande City, TX | 15,494 | 29.5% | $96,700 | 23.0% | 48.36% |
| 43 | Garland, TX | 245,075 | 12.7% | $190,700 | 15.0% | 39.49% |
| 44 | Princeton, TX | 16,683 | 5.7% | $225,100 | 22.0% | 49.0% |
| 45 | Sinton, TX | 5,557 | 37.4% | $80,500 | 23.0% | 35.7% |
| 46 | Hidalgo, TX | 13,939 | 29.6% | $111,300 | 14.0% | 58.86% |
| 47 | Dayton, TX | 8,569 | 15.6% | $155,200 | 29.0% | 36.55% |
| 48 | Cedar Hill, TX | 48,968 | 9.4% | $205,300 | 23.0% | 39.69% |
| 49 | Weslaco, TX | 40,393 | 26.2% | $91,800 | 27.0% | 48.11% |
| 50 | Hillsboro, TX | 8,193 | 15.0% | $85,000 | 21.0% | 36.16% |
| 51 | Pecos, TX | 12,467 | 17.9% | $90,800 | 25.0% | 42.43% |
| 52 | Haltom City, TX | 45,777 | 15.6% | $153,300 | 18.0% | 41.49% |
| 53 | Jacksonville, TX | 14,029 | 22.2% | $95,800 | 21.0% | 40.56% |
| 54 | Fate, TX | 17,403 | 1.6% | $286,200 | 29.0% | 58.7% |
| 55 | Selma, TX | 10,601 | 7.1% | $218,000 | 15.0% | 44.98% |
| 56 | Glenn Heights, TX | 15,741 | 9.1% | $196,700 | 28.0% | 38.11% |
| 57 | Childress, TX | 5,751 | 11.9% | $77,600 | 19.0% | 34.09% |
| 58 | Clute, TX | 10,722 | 9.3% | $156,000 | 20.0% | 39.48% |
| 59 | Hutto, TX | 26,971 | 8.7% | $226,900 | 23.0% | 48.92% |
| 60 | Raymondville, TX | 10,574 | 32.8% | $51,800 | 27.0% | 44.03% |
| 61 | Kaufman, TX | 6,796 | 18.9% | $114,000 | 28.0% | 44.41% |
| 62 | Monahans, TX | 7,614 | 15.2% | $108,200 | 35.0% | 48.77% |
| 63 | Sachse, TX | 26,797 | 2.7% | $283,000 | 20.0% | 38.09% |
| 64 | Gatesville, TX | 15,997 | 13.0% | $105,500 | 17.0% | 28.58% |
| 65 | Elgin, TX | 9,488 | 9.8% | $202,000 | 24.0% | 36.9% |
| 66 | Wilmer, TX | 5,064 | 21.2% | $73,900 | 12.0% | 24.58% |
| 67 | Los Fresnos, TX | 8,023 | 33.0% | $111,900 | 26.0% | 59.86% |
| 68 | Humble, TX | 16,603 | 17.9% | $144,700 | 18.0% | 30.12% |
| 69 | Kermit, TX | 6,078 | 12.4% | $82,100 | 28.0% | 44.02% |
| 70 | Grand Prairie, TX | 195,992 | 11.5% | $203,600 | 18.0% | 40.62% |
| 71 | Missouri City, TX | 73,682 | 5.8% | $230,400 | 17.0% | 35.14% |
| 72 | Desoto, TX | 55,761 | 8.0% | $215,100 | 23.0% | 35.02% |
| 73 | Henderson, TX | 13,498 | 7.4% | $137,900 | 26.0% | 40.53% |
| 74 | Terrell, TX | 17,083 | 13.4% | $145,900 | 25.0% | 43.53% |
| 75 | Livingston, TX | 5,597 | 17.5% | $112,200 | 22.0% | 32.63% |
| 76 | Granite Shoals, TX | 5,086 | 9.9% | $121,400 | 26.0% | 47.28% |
| 77 | White Settlement, TX | 18,040 | 10.1% | $137,600 | 22.0% | 36.81% |
| 78 | Duncanville, TX | 40,575 | 9.3% | $178,800 | 24.0% | 35.06% |
| 79 | Mineral Wells, TX | 14,925 | 16.2% | $112,900 | 28.0% | 31.87% |
| 80 | Bonham, TX | 10,295 | 18.1% | $103,200 | 21.0% | 30.54% |
| 81 | Rosenberg, TX | 37,871 | 16.7% | $188,700 | 20.0% | 43.49% |
| 82 | Frisco, TX | 193,140 | 3.5% | $448,000 | 13.0% | 49.27% |
| 83 | Prosper, TX | 28,825 | 2.8% | $524,700 | 20.0% | 61.37% |
| 84 | Mission, TX | 85,311 | 19.8% | $127,300 | 20.0% | 45.94% |
| 85 | Yoakum, TX | 5,815 | 11.6% | $92,700 | 31.0% | 37.89% |
| 86 | Brownsville, TX | 185,849 | 26.5% | $95,700 | 22.0% | 47.52% |
| 87 | Parker, TX | 5,352 | 3.5% | $700,800 | 14.0% | 60.19% |
| 88 | Center, TX | 5,197 | 35.2% | $62,100 | 25.0% | 43.18% |
| 89 | Kirby, TX | 8,134 | 16.1% | $124,300 | 24.0% | 36.53% |
| 90 | Mercedes, TX | 16,274 | 27.0% | $84,100 | 30.0% | 43.37% |
| 91 | Brady, TX | 5,129 | 18.5% | $76,600 | 24.0% | 33.35% |
| 92 | Forney, TX | 22,770 | 8.2% | $236,600 | 39.0% | 48.82% |
| 93 | Katy, TX | 21,926 | 2.2% | $290,200 | 24.0% | 38.05% |
| 94 | Muleshoe, TX | 5,781 | 10.3% | $94,100 | 28.0% | 46.46% |
| 95 | Hempstead, TX | 5,709 | 22.0% | $109,700 | 16.0% | 43.94% |
| 96 | Harker Heights, TX | 32,320 | 10.0% | $205,800 | 10.0% | 43.64% |
| 97 | Alvin, TX | 26,982 | 11.7% | $165,900 | 26.0% | 41.17% |
| 98 | Laredo, TX | 254,697 | 22.2% | $147,700 | 21.0% | 51.54% |
| 99 | Eagle Pass, TX | 28,367 | 25.8% | $137,700 | 20.0% | 42.85% |
| 100 | Allen, TX | 102,778 | 5.2% | $344,100 | 16.0% | 45.91% |
I happen to be the mayor of San Elizario and I can attest, we are NOT miserable. As my cousin (and constituent) who made me aware of this article stated, “I think this is bull!”
I left a gorgeous life in Culver City, CA to move specifically to San Elizario and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! Our boys soccer and cross country teams recently won state titles (X-country already repeated, boys soccer will too!) and we have the most quaint–not to mention historic–downtown in ALL of Texas!
Just wait, we will soon be making “best of” lists because GOOD things are happening in San Eli!
Maya,
Never been to San Elizario but after looking at pictures on the web I believe you. Next time I am traveling through I will make a stop in your beautiful town.
Dwayne
You do realize that the criteria was faulty to begin with, as Commerce is a town that is half college students, who by definition are usually single and LIVING ON CAMPUS? Even the ones that don’t are somewhat transitory, as they are STUDENTS??
I do realize this. I also realize this site is dedicated to “finding” the negative in cities across the country–and I use the term loosely because not much effort goes into their findings. Lastly, I get they exist to try to get a rise out of people that potentially gets some attention but given the opportunity to sing my town’s praises, I always will.
I apologize, I meant to address the site, not your comment. My mistake!!
This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. “After analyzing the largest cities”…seriously?! With the exception of Dallas, these are some of the smallest cities in the state. You’ve shared the population of each town, did you not notice this?! Granted some of these towns aren’t great (a few I’ve never even heard of), many small towns aren’t centers of industry, THAT’S WHY THEY’RE SMALL! Commutes are long and income is low. Do the general public a favor and next time you do “a scientific study” don’t publish it.
I live Mission and McAllen. I’m won sering if this,was done by the same clowns who put the “Ten Dumbest Cities,in Texas” together.
Good Morning from Linden, Texas!
We’d like to invite you all to our hometown for Wildflower Trails & Rodeo, April 23, 2016!
You’ve given us an idea for a new festival in the Fall for the last Weekend in September: Depression Days in Deep East Texas!
Surviving hard times and flourishing!
Stay tuned!
Emily Henderson
Linden Economic Development Corporation
Oh my Gosh I love your response!!! Way to support your town! Spoken like a motivated EDC that loves her town. Y’all mean so much to small town, small business owners such myself!
Obviously, as President/Chairman of the Board of the Greater Cleveland, Texas Chamber of Commerce, I do not agree with Mr. Nick James definition of “miserable” and his cold census statistical, manipulative application of it to Cleveland, Texas. However, I will avoid the never-ending battle of who is right and who is wrong, as we often see in our polarized world. I simply want to invite everyone who reads this response, including Mr. James, to come and visit the Cleveland, Texas area and see for yourself if we are miserable. I want to you to come to our July 4th Celebration and challenge you to compare our patriotism and our happiness in being American citizens. I invite you to be a part of our Hometown Christmas on the first Saturday of December and feel and experience the joy and true warmth of the season from Cleveland area residents. Become a true Texan and enjoy our Rodeo in April, where we gather together for a good time and some fine Texas fellowship. Each year, we’ll show you how we care about each other and you when we raise an average of $85,000 for American Cancer Society research, now going on 14 years at Relay for Life, and show our gratefulness for blessings at the Community Thanksgiving Service. Every day, the 76,000 people in the Greater Cleveland, Texas area have many of the same feelings about life, which are experienced by most of Americans, but I would say that satisfaction, joy and happiness are at the top of the list. But don’t take my word for it. Visit our websites at clevelandtxchamber.com
J. Andrew Rice, President/Chairman of the Board
Greater Cleveland, Texas Chamber of Commerce and
Lifelong resident of the Greater Cleveland, Texas Area
I agree. I live between Cleveland and Coldspring. And love both cities. It’s has that small hometown atmosphere where the community always support one another. I call their ratings rubbish. How can someone judge a town by just looking and then writing about it. They should have to actually live there for that privilege.
DUMB!! I know people in many of these small towns and have family in Dallas. This is a Dumb article. Where you live becomes what you personally make it. I know this from having lived in many different places in my life.
I worked in Cleveland from Louisiana ad a powerline contractor for years. I have to disagree with this article because the people in Cleveland and surrounding areas are extremely friendly and happy! So much so that I had considered moving there since our job was a long term project. I ended up getting promoted and was transferred to a new area just north of Silsbee.
Why wasn’t Austin on the city of Austin makes everybody in Texas miserable with their liberal mental disorders.
Way to go Emily!! L-K C/O ‘72!!!
Excellent response! We love Linden!