Lousy cities

Chico ranked 48th in a list of the country’s 50 worst cities, as researched by 24/7 Wall St., a Delaware-based online company specializing in financial news and opinion. Low wages, expensive housing and the poverty rate were the dominant reasons the city made the list. The survey noted that Chico has a well-educated population—almost 39 percent of adults have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (compared with 34 percent nationally). Yet, the median household income is $40,815 annually. Meanwhile, the median home price is $275,600—or 6.8 times as much as household income. Home values across the U.S. are generally 3.4 times the median. Here’s a list of the top 10 worst cities, as reported by 24/7 Wall St.

1. Miami, Fla.

2. Detroit, Mich.

3. Paterson, N.J.

4. Hawthorne, Calif.

5. Fall, Mass.

6. Birmingham, Ala.

7. Memphis, Tenn.

8. Flint, Mich.

9. Cleveland, Ohio

10. Gary, Ind.