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Study reveals 10 happiest states for seniors: Did yours make the list?
Study reveals 10 happiest states for seniors: Did yours make the list?

Yahoo

time18 hours ago

  • General
  • Yahoo

Study reveals 10 happiest states for seniors: Did yours make the list?

Where you live can have a big impact on your mental health. Particularly for seniors, it's important to settle down in a location that promotes happiness. Older adults face a higher risk of mental health problems due to circumstances like the loss of loved ones, loneliness, chronic illness or disability, medications, changes brought on by retirement and other stressors, according to the National Council on Aging. 'Happiest' Us Cities Revealed: See Where Yours Ranks a senior care resource, recently released its Senior Happiness Index, revealing where in the country seniors are happiest based on WalletHub's state happiness roundup. Experts analyzed various factors like happiness levels per state, cost of living, average life expectancy, health rates in residents over 60 and the number of senior centers per state. Read On The Fox News App Below are the results for the top 10 happiest states for seniors. Utah Idaho Connecticut Delaware Nebraska Hawaii New Hampshire Minnesota New Jersey Vermont Utah claimed the No. 1 spot for the most content seniors, with a happiness score of 7.69 out of 10. U.s. Happiness Is At An All-time Low, Study Finds: See Which Countries Rank Higher According to the study, Utah's high rank is due to its "supportive environment" for senior living, good senior health and the third-lowest percentage (21.48%) of seniors living alone, which reduces the risk of social isolation. The researchers mentioned that more than two-fifths of seniors in Utah volunteer, which is the highest rate in the U.S. Volunteering allows the state's aging population to "stay connected and involved with their community," commented, which "contributes significantly" to well-being and happiness. Best And Worst Us States To Drive In: See Where Yours Ranks On The List Idaho followed closely behind, with an overall happiness score of 7.38 out of 10. Less than a quarter of seniors in Idaho live alone, the second-lowest rate in the country, and the state ranks in the top five for senior centers. "Known for its stunning natural landscapes, Idaho offers seniors plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, promoting both physical and mental well-being," added. Connecticut and Delaware tied for No. 3, scoring a 7.01 out of 10 on the happiness scale. Connecticut has the third-highest average life expectancy and is among the top 10 states for overall health. Only 7.2% of Connecticut residents lack health insurance, which ensures access to necessary medical services for the aging population. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Connecticut also offers a variety of discounted cultural and immersive experiences for seniors, such as museums, parks, libraries and arts events. According to Delaware is regarded as one of the "happiest and most supportive states for later life." The state ranks in the top 10 for overall senior health and happiness, and in the top five for the lowest percentage of people living alone. considered Delaware's cost of living index "relatively affordable," which can help residents maintain a "comfortable and independent lifestyle." For more Health articles, visit Other states stood out in these categories, including North Dakota for the most senior centers per 100,000 population and West Virginia for the most affordable cost of living. Hawaii has the lowest percentage of seniors over 65 years old living alone, the highest average life expectancy and the highest senior state of article source: Study reveals 10 happiest states for seniors: Did yours make the list?

Map Shows the 10 Most Affordable US Cities to Buy a Home in 2025
Map Shows the 10 Most Affordable US Cities to Buy a Home in 2025

Newsweek

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Newsweek

Map Shows the 10 Most Affordable US Cities to Buy a Home in 2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Detroit, Flint, and Pittsburgh ranked among the most affordable cities for American homebuyers in 2025, according to recent research by WalletHub. The landscape of U.S. housing affordability has shifted dramatically, with these Midwest and Rust Belt cities standing in stark contrast to high-priced markets like Santa Barbara, California, and major coastal metros. WalletHub analyzed 300 cities across ten financial metrics, including median house prices, tax rates, vacancy rates, and the cost of living, to identify where purchasing a home remains within reach for typical families. Why It Matters The cost of homeownership has become a major obstacle for many Americans. Over the past six years, the median home sales price in the United States surged from $313,000 in Q1 2019 to $416,900 in Q1 2025, while the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate shot up from 2.65 percent in January 2021 to 6.81 percent in May 2025. This combination of rising prices and higher borrowing costs has priced many would-be homeowners out, making affordability rankings more relevant than ever. While some markets have begun to see a decline in home prices and an increase in inventory, barriers remain high for buyers, especially in coastal and major metropolitan areas. What To Know The top three cities—Flint, Detroit, and Pittsburgh—shared several factors driving low home prices and high affordability. That includes high vacancy rates with both Flint and Detroit having rates above 20 percent, giving buyers more leverage and options than in tight markets. Historic population decline and industrial changes in the Rust Belt have led to fewer housing shortages compared to popular coastal and Sun Belt markets. Low cost of living in these areas also meant that median home prices and overall living expenses were significantly lower than national averages, particularly in Flint and Detroit. In contrast, the least affordable cities, such as Santa Barbara, reported home prices per square foot surpassing $1,000, with high costs for both purchase and maintenance, as well as low vacancy rates. Flint is the most affordable city in the U.S., with the lowest cost of living index and the most affordable home prices relative to the median household income. The median price per square foot stood at just $61, with nearly 21 percent of homes vacant, offering buyers a wide array of options. Flint's affordability stemmed in part from the lingering effects of its water crisis, which caused high vacancy rates; however, the city's water has met Environmental Protection Agency standards for the past six years. Homeownership was also much cheaper than renting due to a high rent-to-price ratio. Over the past few decades, the path to homeownership has become steeper for many Americans. National home prices outpaced wage growth, with the median sale price climbing by more than $100,000 since 2019 alone. Mortgage costs also soared as interest rates quadrupled from their lows in 2021 to nearly 7 percent in 2025. Homebuyers now face a double bind: inflated prices and higher monthly payments. These trends have made it increasingly challenging for first-time homebuyers, despite homeownership remaining a priority for many families. However, there may be some good news for house buyers, as recent data from the National Association of Realtors suggests a potential shift. Existing home sales declined 0.5 percent in April 2025 compared to the previous month, while inventory rose by 9 percent. Despite fewer transactions, the national median existing-home sales price rose 1.8 percent year-over-year to $414,000, marking another record high for April prices. A for sale sign in front of a home in Arlington, Virginia, on August 22, 2023. A for sale sign in front of a home in Arlington, Virginia, on August 22, 2023. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images Top 10 Most Affordable Cities for Homebuyers in 2025 Flint, Michigan Detroit, Michigan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Memphis, Tennessee Indianapolis, Indiana Cleveland, Ohio Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Baltimore, Maryland Henderson, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Least Affordable U.S. Cities in 2025 Santa Barbara, California San Francisco, California Seattle, Washington Honolulu, Hawaii What People Are Saying Michael Ryan, a finance expert and the founder of told Newsweek: "The biggest surprise isn't what's on the list, but to me it's what's missing. Why aren't Austin, Nashville, or Raleigh here anymore? Because Rust Belt cities aren't winning by accident. "Detroit at $87 per square foot versus Santa Barbara at over $1,000? Flint leads with homes at $61 per square foot, which is less than what some people pay for a decent dinner. The math is brutal but beautiful: you can buy an entire house in Flint for what covers a security deposit in San Francisco." Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek: "Home prices in these areas will likely remain low until the economic tides turn. If the current administration succeeds in revitalizing domestic manufacturing, especially through incentives or reshoring, these regions could see a resurgence. New plants, new jobs, and new opportunity could bring the demand and prices back up." Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: Some of the cities on the list may not be of much surprise, as locations like Flint, Detroit, and Memphis have struggled with negative headlines over the last few decades tied to crime, exiting industry, and other issues. There are surprises, though, in places like Surprise, Arizona, Las Vegas, and others that were places that benefited during the pandemic era from new residents moving in. "Now that demand has fallen in some of these areas, supply—particularly for new builds—has risen, and so have offers with lower prices and mortgage rates to entice buyers." What Happens Next With inventory at a five-year high and more cities showing buyer-friendly conditions, analysts indicated that homebuyers could gain greater negotiating power in 2025, especially in the Midwest and less populous cities. The top-ranking affordable cities are expected to remain attractive destinations for buyers seeking value through the remainder of the year. "Geographic arbitrage may be the last wealth-building secret hiding in plain sight. While those in cities debate $9 lattes, smart money is buying entire neighborhoods in Cleveland for the price of a Cybertruck," Ryan said.

Map Reveals States Where Americans Spend Most on Health Care
Map Reveals States Where Americans Spend Most on Health Care

Newsweek

time2 days ago

  • Health
  • Newsweek

Map Reveals States Where Americans Spend Most on Health Care

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Residents of five southern states pay the highest share of their household income on health care, according to data collected by WalletHub. The differences between medical costs across the U.S. largely come down to household income, because as cost of individual health care services vary within each state, the overall costs end up taking a larger percentage out of bank accounts in states where the median income of its residents are lower than others. Why It Matters Health care costs can create significant financial and mental strain on populations and can often lead to people having to file for "medical bankruptcy." The GOP budget proposal, which just passed the House, could lead to over 7 million people having their access to Medicaid impacted—including people in Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Oklahoma—if it becomes law. What To Know The state where the highest share of household income, 18.66 percent, goes to health care costs is Mississippi, followed by Louisiana, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, where the median household pays above 16 percent of their income on essential medical visits and medicine. Maryland residents pay the least percentage of their income, on average, for health care, as health services take up 9.03 percent of household earnings in the state. Mississippi has the lowest average income in the country, at $54,915, meaning health care costs can quickly add up to take up a larger percentage of a household budget. Although Mississippi is the 38th most expensive state to see a doctor in, it is the 12th most expensive state to see a dentist in, and the 16th most expensive state for the heart drug Lipitor, per WalletHub data. The five states where the highest percentage of income goes toward health care costs, are also among eight poorest states in the country. The five states where the lowest percentage of household income goes to seeing a doctor are among some of the richest states in the country. This includes New Jersey, which boasts the highest average earnings in the U.S. Higher wages can often result in better health insurance from an employer, less fear about medical debt and less reliance on state and federal health care services like Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid activists wait to enter the House Energy and Commerce markup of the Fiscal 2025 budget resolution in Rayburn building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Medicaid activists wait to enter the House Energy and Commerce markup of the Fiscal 2025 budget resolution in Rayburn building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Tom Williams/AP Photo How Medicaid Cuts Could Affect Health Care Costs The House-passed GOP budget calls for a reduction of $700 billion in Medicaid spending over the next decade and the implementation of work requirements, which are a mandated 80-hour-per-month community engagement for Medicaid recipients. Proponents of work requirements say they encourage workforce participation, but opponents say that many people on Medicaid already have jobs but they are so low-income that they still qualify for state health care. Approximately one in five Americans are enrolled in Medicaid. Cuts to Medicaid could not only impact those who rely on its services but could also increase health care costs for Americans overall. "Most likely the prices [of health care] will go up because when people lose their health insurance coverage they still need care and few of them have the money to pay the high cost of medical care so each of us have to dig deeper into our pockets to pay for the health care we receive," Gerard Anderson, Professor of Health Policy at Johns Hopkins University, told Newsweek. He also noted that "Medical professionals caring for current Medicaid recipients will feel the greatest impact [of the cuts]," as although payments from Medicaid is not high, it is more than nothing at all which is what they will receive from fully uninsured patients." People losing access to Medicaid could also lead to other issues within the health care complex, including longer wait times. "If people without Medicaid are not able to receive preventive care they will access care in the emergency department, leading to longer wait times for everyone," Jennifer Wolff, Professor of Health Policy at Johns Hopkins University told Newsweek. Anderson also discussed proposed work requirements on Public Health on Call. "This might make sense in theory, but not in practice: If people are able to work, they should be able to get off Medicaid," he said. "But the fact is that many of these people work very low-wage jobs, so they would still qualify for Medicaid. "Many people on Medicaid live in rural areas where there aren't any jobs. In order to get a job, they would need to move to another community, likely in a more affluent area where they can't afford to rent." Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana, one of the most costly states for health care in the country, said that the work requirements for Medicaid included in the GOP budget have a "moral component" to them, as they encourage young men to get jobs. One-third of the residents in Johnson's district in Eastern Louisiana are currently on Medicaid. Demonstrators protesting cuts to Medicaid and U.S. Capitol Police officers outside a House Energy and Commerce Committee markup on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2025. Demonstrators protesting cuts to Medicaid and U.S. Capitol Police officers outside a House Energy and Commerce Committee markup on Capitol Hill on May 13, 2025. Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images What People Are Saying Professor of Health Policy at Johns Hopkins University, Gerard Anderson told Newsweek told Newsweek: "[All Americans] will be impacted [by Medical cuts] because the prices for their health care services, and their health insurance premiums will increase. Someone must pay for the services the people without health insurance receive." Professor of Health Policy at Johns Hopkins University, Jennifer Wolff told Newsweek: "Families will incur higher out of pocket costs and/or may need to exit the workplace if Medicaid is no longer able to cover home and community-based long-term care and nursing facility care is not supported by the program." Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Face the Nation: "If you are able to work and you refuse to do so, you are defrauding the system. You're cheating the system. And no one in the country believes that that's right." What Happens Next The proposed GOP budget is heading to the Senate for a vote. If passed via the Senate and signed by President Donald Trump, it has been projected to increase health care costs and possibly impact millions of Medicaid recipients.

List of best U.S. cities for hockey doesn't have any from Minnesota in the top 10
List of best U.S. cities for hockey doesn't have any from Minnesota in the top 10

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

List of best U.S. cities for hockey doesn't have any from Minnesota in the top 10

Add up the players on the U.S. national team at the Four Nations Face-Off (silver), World Junior Championship (gold), Men's World Championship (gold), and Women's World Championships (gold), and Minnesota has far more players on those rosters than any other state. The Minnesota Frost won their second straight Walter Cup championship this week. The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament speaks for itself. So, when WalletHub released its "Best Cities for Hockey" list on Wednesday, the State of Hockey was obviously well represented. Right? Well... gird yourself, because that's not what happened. St. Paul finished best at 13th. Other Minnesota cities include Bemidji at 42nd, Minneapolis at 48th, St. Cloud at 56th, Duluth at 58th, and Mankato at 64th. No mention, either, of Eveleth, home of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. It's a bitter pill to swallow, seeing a top 10 devoid of Minnesota representation. Here's what that top 10 looks like. Boston Detroit Pittsburgh New York City Newark Denver Sunrise Tampa Buffalo St. Louis Before anyone lights their phone on fire in an attempt to erase this list from history, a little explanation is necessary. WalletHub created the list by comparing 76 cities in two parent categories: NHL hockey and NCAA DI hockey. Inside each category, 21 metrics were considered. Additionally, the NHL category was weighted more heavily than the college hockey is, in many ways, set up for Minnesota to fail. The number of NHL teams is considered (advantage to New York) as is the performance of those teams, Stanley Cup wins, and division championship wins, among other metrics. These are metrics where, to be kind, the Minnesota Wild do not come out on top. Things would look a lot better if women's pro hockey was considered, given the success of the Frost and the Whitecaps before them. College hockey makes a positive impact for Minnesota cities, but it only accounts for 20% of the score and only includes men's hockey. The absence of women's hockey hurts Minnesota (and is generally absurd) since there are so many good teams in the state, including a handful of championships for the Gophers and the Bulldogs. High school hockey and youth hockey participation aren't factored in at all. USA Hockey's most recent data shows Minnesota hockey as having far more youth hockey participation than any other state, with Massachusetts, Michigan, and New York showing well too. Though, it's worth noting that those rankings aren't per capita but raw numbers, and Minnesota's population of 5.7 million is quite a bit lower than those other states. Additionally, that's a statewide metric and not boiled down to individual cities. In other words, it's not a great study. C'est la vie. Given the methodology, it's hard to argue with the success of the teams like the Panthers, Lightning, Avalanche, Penguins, and all the other teams that have managed to do well enough that they don't wind up as a punchline in an NFL schedule announcement video.

15 cities where it's more affordable to buy a home
15 cities where it's more affordable to buy a home

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Yahoo

15 cities where it's more affordable to buy a home

Buying a house is stressful, even without factoring in high prices and competition. However, there are a few places with more affordable homes, according to a WalletHub report. It found Flint, Michigan, is the most affordable place to buy a home. If browsing home prices in Seattle or San Francisco feels like an exercise in unattainability, consider expanding your search outside the West Coast. Using a combination of factors, including median house prices, annual household incomes, real-estate taxes, and cost of living, WalletHub created a list of the most affordable cities to buy a home. Many of the cities are in the Rust Belt, which has struggled with economic recovery but has seen revitalization more recently. Others are in literal hotspots, like regions of Arizona that are experiencing booming population growth. For each city in the top 15, BI identified the population using 2024 US Census estimates, median household income from 2023 Census data, and median house prices from April 2025 listings. Here are 15 cities where the housing prices aren't as sky-high as in other regions. 15. Montgomery, Alabama Population: 195,818 Median home price: $195,000 Median household income: $55,687 A little about Montgomery: Known as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement, Montgomery has a wealth of museums, monuments, and sites dedicated to this chapter in its history. Maxwell Gunter Air Force Base is a major employer, as is the state government. Hyundai also has a manufacturing plant where the Tucson, Santa Fe, and other vehicles are assembled. Parts of this capital city have views of the Alabama River. Riverfront Park is a popular destination, especially during the hot, humid summers. 14. Toledo, Ohio Population: 265,638 Median home price: $135,000 Median household income: $47,532 A little about Toledo: The city has deep ties to the automotive industry and is sometimes called "The Glass City" thanks to its history of glass manufacturing, hence the name of its riverwalk. Both the Toledo Zoo and the Toledo Museum of Art are popular attractions. The landscape isn't all industrial, either. The Maumee River travels through Toledo before feeding into Lake Erie. Over 200 miles of trails are found in the city, including some that double as cross-country ski areas during the snowy winters. 13. Warren, Michigan Population: 137,686 Median home price: $187,400 Median household income: $63,741 A little about Warren: About 15 miles north of Detroit, Warren is one of the state's most populous cities. It's the location of the Detroit Arsenal, the first facility in the country built to mass produce tanks. The Army's Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command is still headquartered there. GM's Global Technical Center is another major employer. Warren lacks much of a downtown. It's something the city's leaders are hoping to change by bringing in restaurants and shops to the area around the city hall, CBS News reported in January. It's slowly becoming more diverse as well, overcoming years of discriminatory housing practices, the Michigan Chronicle reported in 2019. 12. Cleveland, Ohio Population: 365,379 Median home price: $144,900 Median household income: $39,187 A little about Cleveland: Notorious for catching fire several times, most notably in 1969, the Cuyahoga River twists through Cleveland before reaching Lake Erie. The waterway is now much cleaner than in the manufacturing city's past. The Flats also sit on the river. The former industrial area now hosts bars and restaurants that provide lively nightlife, especially for the city's younger demographic. At the center of the city's downtown is the Public Square, a 10-acre park with a splash pad in the summer and ice rink in the winter. When residents aren't hanging out, they might be working at the Cleveland Clinic, a medical center with over 50,000 employees. American Greetings, Great Lakes Brewing, and Sherwin-Williams are also based there. 11. North Las Vegas, Nevada Population: 294,034 Median home price: $425,500 Median household income: $76,772 A little about North Las Vegas: Though not far from the frenetic energy of the Strip, North Las Vegas is a bit more sedate. It shares the same desert climate, though. It's not unusual for temperatures to reach triple digits in the summer months. Both Amazon and Sephora have distribution centers in the area. They're located near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which holds racing events for NASCAR, IndyCar, and others. Events like an annual mariachi competition celebrate the city's diverse population, while North 5th brews up local beer. 10. Indianapolis, Indiana Population: 891,484 Median home price: $259,900 Median household income: $62,99 A little about Indianapolis: Indiana's capital is perhaps best known for the Indy 500. The annual car race takes place in an enclave town, Speedway. The city's sports fans also cheer on basketball teams the Pacers and the Fever. Other leisurely ways to spend time include walking or biking the 10-mile Cultural Trail, which connects White River State Park, museums, and art pieces like the Talking Wall. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly started in Indianapolis and remains headquartered there today. 9. Fort Wayne, Indiana Population: 273,203 Median home price: $289,900 Median household income: $60,293 A little about Fort Wayne: Less than 20 miles from the Ohio border, Fort Wayne is a Midwestern city that experiences all four seasons. Healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics are some of its major industries. Fort Wayne residents can enjoy dozens of parks throughout the city, including some with a water view. A trio of rivers flows through the city, and St. Marys' riverfront has green spaces, museums, and boat rentals. 8. Augusta, Georgia Population: 201,737 Median home price: $224,900 Median household income: $53,134 A little about Augusta: The Masters golf tournament calls Augusta home, so it's perhaps not surprising that Textron has its E‑Z‑GO golf cart headquarters there. Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and American Concrete all have a presence in the city as well. This Southern city has long, hot summers, with an average of 80 days over 90 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. When the weather is nice, residents who like to putt can enjoy numerous public golf courses in the area. 7. Memphis, Tennessee Population: 610,919 Median home price: $219,900 Median household income: $51,211 A little about Memphis: It's nearly impossible to separate Memphis from its musical past, due to the presence of Sun Studio. B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded there. Elvis' Graceland home remains a draw for his enthusiastic fans. There are still countless venues in the city to catch live music. For those who don't make their living performing, several Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Memphis, including FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper. Elon Musk has also said his AI startup will build the world's largest supercomputer in the city. 6. Yuma, Arizona Population: 103,559 Median home price: $353,700 Median household income: $60,417 A little about Yuma: When you enjoy crisp broccoli or lettuce during the chilly months of the year, chances are the leafy greens came from the country's "Winter Salad Bowl." Yuma grows 90% of these vegetables between November and March, and agriculture accounts for 20% of jobs in the southwestern Arizona county, according to the University of Arizona. That's also the season for snowbirds who flock to the desert climate from the north, swelling the city's population. Summer temperatures can reach an average high of 106 degrees, so residents grab paddleboards or kayaks in the Colorado River. 5. Akron, Ohio Population: 189,664 Median home price: $145,000 Median household income: $48,544 A little about Akron: When Goodyear, B.F. Goodrich, Firestone, and General Tire all set up shop in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the industry would eventually lead to Akron's "Rubber Capital of the World" nickname. Now, only Goodyear's headquarters remain in the city, which is about 40 miles south of Cleveland. The tire companies' legacies remain in park names like Firestone and Goodyear Heights. Some of these scenic spots have ideal hills for sledding on snowy days. Some residents have been less eager to embrace a newer industry, bitcoin mining, with some worrying how the energy-heavy operations will affect electricity rates and the environment. 4. Surprise, Arizona Population: 167,564 Median home price: $459,900 Median household income: $93,371 A little about Surprise: About 45 minutes from Phoenix, you'll find Surprise. The suburban city is proud of its sports facilities, which include a tennis and racquet complex; golf courses; and Surprise Stadium, which hosts MLB spring training each year. The founder, Flora Mae Statler, reportedly gave Surprise its unusual name because she didn't think it would amount to much. However, it's had explosive growth over the past two decades, going from just under 31,000 people in 2000 to over 167,564 by 2024. Arizona is one of the US' fastest-growing states. Its lower home prices are likely one of the reasons over 630,000 Californians have moved there over the past decade, the Phoenix Business Journal reported last year. Surprise is trying to expand while also preserving some of the desert ecosystem, The Arizona Republic reported in February. 3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Population: 307,668 Median home price: $269,000 Median household income: $64,137 A little about Pittsburgh: The Steel City once owed much of its livelihood to manufacturing and industry. Its location, where the Monongahela and Allegheny converge to form the Ohio, shaped its identity as the "Gateway to the West." The waterways provided a route to ship timber, coal, and other resources to other parts of the country. You can catch a great view of them from Mount Washington. As the steel industry declined, healthcare grew, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is now a major employer. A number of tech companies, including Duolingo, are headquartered in the city. 2. Detroit, Michigan Population: 645,705 Median home price: $109,000 Median household income: $39,575 A little about Detroit: Detroit's history as both the Motor City and the home of Motown music continues to impact its reputation for being cool yet burdened with economic challenges, resulting from the loss of much of the automotive industry. Rocket Mortgage, General Motors, and Little Caesars are all headquartered in Detroit. The Detroit River divides the city from Windsor, Canada, and the area provides a crucial link between the two countries. It's the site of a picturesque island park, Belle Isle, which invites plenty of visitors in the warmer months. As parts of the city rebound, it's become known as a foodie destination, thanks to its diverse selection of cuisines. 1. Flint, Michigan Population: 79,735 Median home price: $70,000 Median household income: $36,194 A little about Flint: Flint is synonyms with its water crisis. When the city began sourcing from the Flint River, the distribution pipes started corroding and leaching lead into the water supply. It's been over a decade since the switch, and some pipes still need replacing and people remain sick from years of drinking contaminated water, The Guardian reported last year. At the time, the City of Flint said in a statement that it had significantly upgraded its monitoring and infrastructure. Though its water meets federal standards for lead levels, they stated that "no amount of lead in water is safe." Like Detroit, which is less than 70 miles southeast, Flint relied heavily on the auto industry in the past. In the summer, residents and visitors celebrate this history with the "Back to the Bricks" classic car event. Today, fast-food chains YaYa's Chicken and Big John Steak & Onion both have ties to the city. Sources: Population and income data are from the US Census, and median home prices are from Read the original article on Business Insider

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