California's golden status has waned in the past few years, and a recent list put out by Forbes.com confirms that fact. The state has eight cities this year in the business magazine's annual list of America's 20 Most Miserable Cities. "Forbes" ranks the cities based on a number of factors, including unemployment, tax rates, crime, commute times, weather and how the local pro sports teams have fared. For the second time in three years, Stockdale in California's Central Valley came in at number one. The Midwest didn't fare much better with six entries, including Chicago, Detroit and three cities in Ohio. Florida is also looking less sunny these days with four cities making the list, including Miami at number two.
Here is the complete list of America's Most Miserable Cities:
1. Stockdale, California
2. Miami, Florida
3. Merced, California
4. Modesto, California
5. Sacramento, California
6. Memphis, Tennessee
7. Chicago, Illinois
8. West Palm Beach, Florida
9. Vallejo, California
10. Cleveland, Ohio
11. Flint, Michigan
12. Toledo, Ohio
13. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
14. Youngstown, Ohio
15. Detroit, Michigan
16. Washington, D.C.
17. Fresno, California
18. Salinas, California
19. Jacksonville, Florida
20. Bakersfield, California
