A new study from California’s Chapman University shows that Golden State cities are faring rather poorly when it comes to the middle class.
The university released its findings this month in the midst of a presidential election campaign when voters can expect hear plenty about the shrinking middle class. By looking at factors like jobs and economic opportunity, cost of living and housing affordability, and family friendliness, the researchers were able to compile a list of the best and worst cities for families making between two-thirds and double the median income.
According to the researchers, three of the worst cities for middle class families happen to be in the State of California. Fresno ranked dead last on the list, largely because of its high cost of living. Los Angeles, Stockton and Modesto were runners up for that title.
“It seems what we usually see as ‘fun cities’ — New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Los Angeles — are not so amenable to the new generation of young families,” the researchers observed. Instead, middle class households looking for a better life would be wise to concentrate on smaller, suburban locales.
Des Moines, Iowa ranked #1, thanks to a bourgeoning private sector with plenty of jobs in finance, science, engineering and technology. It was followed by the cities of Madison, WI; Albany, NY; Austin, TX; and Raleigh, NC.
Read the full list and report here.