Houston Becomes The Poorest Large City In The United States

According to 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data released on Thursday, Houston now holds the highest poverty rate among the 10 most-populous cities in the United States, at 21.2%. This marks a shift, as Philadelphia—long considered the poorest large city—has dropped its poverty rate to 19.7%, falling below 20% for the first time since 1979.

The new data reflects broader economic pressures in Houston, including rising living costs, housing affordability challenges, and stagnant wages. In total, over half a million Houston residents earned incomes below the federal poverty threshold in 2024.

The top 10 large cities with the highest poverty rates in the country are:

1. Houston: 21.2%
2. Philadelphia: 19.7%
3. New York City: 18%
4. San Antonio: 17.1%
5. Chicago: 16.6%
6. Los Angeles 16.0%
7. Dallas 13.9%
8. Jacksonville, Fla. 12.3%
9. Phoenix 12.0%
10. San Diego 10.4%

As Secret Houston explains, the federal poverty threshold varies depending on household size and structure. In 2024, it was set at $15,940 for an individual and $31,130 for a family of four (two adults and two children). By comparison, the national poverty rate was 12.1%, meaning Houston’s rate was nearly double the national average.

In addition to the sobering poverty figures, Houston was also named the “worst-smelling city in the United States” last month, as reported by Secret Houston. While light-hearted in tone, the ranking sparked conversations about infrastructure, pollution, and overall quality of life.