Palo Alto, CA, United States

Life in Palo Alto is no picnic. The population of 30,034 is packed into a mere 2.6 square miles, leading to heavy bureaucracy and a persistent crime problem. The once predominantly African American and Latino community has rapidly gentrified, with new high-tech developments displacing longtime residents. While the city now boasts a median household income of $104,832, nearly 10% of the population lives below the poverty line. Those seeking an affordable, tranquil California lifestyle would be better off looking elsewhere.