Out of the 149 largest cities in the United States, no one wants to be #149. Especially when it comes to how well your city is running. And when I say running, I mean efficiency, quality of services, crime, competent spending, etc.

WalletHub dropped its list of the Best and Worst-Run Cities in America. Where one state did better than the rest, having 2 cities in the top 10 (Nampa and Boise, Idaho), other states, like California, can’t brag as hard.

Sure, California can be proud to claim the #21 spot, with Huntington Beach being a well-run city. Still, a fair share of other places many in Cali call home could take a lesson from Nampa with a bit of restructuring.

Of the 50 worst-run major cities in America, 12 are in California.

Giphy.com

How Are The Best & Worst Run Cities Calculated?

WalletHub compared the most populated cities in terms of education, health, safety, economy, financial stability, infrastructure, and pollution to compile the rankings. For more on WalletHub’s methodology, click here.

These 3 California Cities Are Great For 'Naked Gardening'!

What Are The 12 Worst Run Cities in California?

#12: Anaheim takes the #99 spot compared to the rest of the country’s biggest cities.
#11: San Jose ranks at spot #104 compared to the rest of the country’s biggest cities.
#10: Bakersfield is at #110 compared to the rest of the country’s biggest cities.
#9: Modesto sits at #116.
#8: Fresno takes the #118 spot on the list.
#7: Sacramento is at #120.
#6: Stockton is a little worse at #121.
#5: Los Angeles ranks at spot #128 compared to the rest of the country’s biggest cities.
#4: Long Beach ranks #129 compared to the rest of the country’s biggest cities.
#3: Riverside is at #133.
#2: Oakland is the #143 worst-run city in the United States out of 149.
#1: San Francisco can claim the top spot as the worst-run city, ranking at #149.

Giphy.com

How Can You Get Your City To Improve?

For those of you who are not happy with this list (and why should anyone be happy with this) change is up to you. The city is made up of people like you. Reach out and rebuild your community. Remember to vote. Look to see who has been running things and demand a change (peacefully). And many may think it doesn’t do anything but VOTE. Because if you don’t vote, then you are right; it doesn’t do anything.

Get our free mobile app

9 Forbidden Foods That Are Banned in Idaho, Washington, Utah and California

Due to government regulations, these are foods that are forbidden in most of the United States.

Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart

15 States Where People From California Are Moving To The Most

"Using data on state-to-state migration flows from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states the most people from California are moving to."

Gallery Credit: Kyle Matthews

Report a typo or correction

Got a news tip? Email us here.