Dallas is apparently among the unhappiest cities in the United States, according to a recent study.
A SmartAsset study examined 90 of the largest U.S. cities and judged them on 11 variables, including quality of life, personal finances, and well-being. Dallas, known for its museums, art scenes, sports teams, and historical background, ranked the 11th unhappiest city in the country based on these metrics.
Arlington, Virginia, was the happiest large city, with 62.8% of households earning more than $100,000, 3.8 mentally unhealthy days per 30 days, a life expectancy of 85.3 years, and a marriage rate of 41.4%.
In comparison, the least happy city was Detroit, Michigan, where only 12.7% had a household income of $100,000 or more, 5.6 mentally unhealthy days per 30 days, a life expectancy of 74 years, and a marriage rate of 21%.
Dallas ranked at 80, just above Houston. Dallas showed 31.8% of households earning $100,00 or more, 4.9 mentally unhealthy days per 30 days, a life expectancy of 78.3 years, and a marriage rate of 39.7%.
“This place is my personal capitalistic hellscape,” Amber Hernandez, who moved from Nashville to Dallas, told The Dallas Express. Hernandez noted that traffic, high prices, and the housing market have all led to an unsatisfactory living situation for her.
“There are good parts. It’s just the overwhelming bad parts make it hard to like it here in any way,” she added.
Other residents agreed.
Dallas resident Frank Fasci told DX his reasons for unhappiness in the city include “traffic, crime, the disconnection of community, housing, and lack of walking infrastructure.”
As previously reported by DX, crime has been a persistent issue in Dallas, with overall incidents increasing over the last few years amid a longstanding police shortage of roughly 1,000 officers.
The worst Texas city was Laredo, which ranked just above Detroit, Michigan, at 89. Only 26.4% of households earn more than $100,000, clocking 4.7 mentally unhealthy days per 30 days, a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and a marriage rate of 47.3%.
Fort Worth ranked 38, with 35.7% of households earning more than $100,000, 4.5 mentally unhealthy days per 30 days, a life expectancy of 78.6 years, and a marriage rate of 47.3%.
Other Texas cities made the list on a more positive note, including Plano, ranking as the second happiest city, with 52.5% of households earning more than $100,000, 4.0 mentally unhealthy days per 30 days, a life expectancy of 82.2 years, and a marriage rate of 56%.
