Gary, IN, United States

With a population of just 80,294, Gary is a shadow of its former industrial glory, struggling with sky-high unemployment and a crumbling infrastructure. The city has shed over 60% of its residents since the 1960s as the steel industry collapsed. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city closing 21 public schools in recent years due to budget deficits. And the climate is harsh, with long, snowy winters and summer humidity. While Gary boasts an impressive cultural legacy as the birthplace of the Jackson 5, this Rust Belt city is better suited for those seeking affordable housing than a booming economic hub.