The 10 Most Miserable Cities In Texas For 2023


The most miserable cities in Texas are Hutchins and Balch Springs for 2023 based on Saturday Night Science.

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


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

Hutchins, TX

Source: Wikipedia User nthomas76207 | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/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

Balch Springs, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

3
/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

Forest Hill, TX

Source: Wikipedia User nthomas76207 | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/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

South Houston, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

3
/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

Jacinto City, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

4
/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

Seagoville, TX

Source: Wikipedia User nthomas76207 | CC BY 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/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

Galena Park, TX

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

5
/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

Overall SnackAbility

3
/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

Cleveland, TX

Source: Wikipedia User Billy Hathorn | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/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

Overall SnackAbility

3
/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:

  1. Alamo Heights
  2. Fredericksburg
  3. College Station

For more Texas reading, check out:

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%
About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

15 thoughts on “The 10 Most Miserable Cities In Texas For 2023

  1. 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!

    1. 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

  2. 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??

    1. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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

    1. 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!

  6. 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

    1. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. Why wasn’t Austin on the city of Austin makes everybody in Texas miserable with their liberal mental disorders.

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