America's Most Recession-Squeezed Cities

As the economy sputters, Americans are feeling the pain most in regions where incomes have dropped while costs remain high. The Daily Beast ranks the regions feeling the squeeze.

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galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---lake-havasu-city-az_f3g7r2 — Personal income 2009: $25,841
Cost of living index score: 113.2
Adjusted personal income: $22,834
Monthly apartment rent: $543
Home price: $456,995

Expensive local item*: 16 oz. sack frozen corn, $2.29

*The ACCRA COLI is determined by surveying prices on local goods and services for each metropolitan area. Each “expensive local item” is a local good or service that, in each particular metropolitan area, is relatively expensive compared to the other metropolitan areas on this list. A description of each item and the ACCRA COLI reporting methodology is available here.
Newscom

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---mcallen-tx_oy7xy2 — Personal income 2009: $19,720
Cost of living index score: 85.9
Adjusted personal income: $22,966
Monthly apartment rent: $802
Home price: $209,453

Expensive local item: Half gallon milk, $2.21
Anthony Acosta / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---brownsville-tx_pzoiyw — Personal income 2009: $21,456
Cost of living index score: 86
Adjusted personal income: $24,963
Monthly apartment rent: $599
Home price: $210,000

Expensive local item: Washer repair, $85
Alex Jones / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---yuma_ruzli2 — Personal income 2009: $25,496
Cost of living index score: 99.7
Adjusted personal income: $25,583
Monthly apartment rent: $707
Home price: $284,000

Expensive local item: 11.5 oz. can or brick coffee, $5.74
Chuck Coke / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---st-george_mihh9v — Personal income 2009: $24,912
Cost of living index score: 97.2
Adjusted personal income: $25,617
Monthly apartment rent: $580
Home price: $300,951

Expensive local item: 15 oz. can sweet peas, $1.49
MojaveNC / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---fresno-ca_pfgnbq — Personal income 2009: $30,724
Cost of living index score: 118.5
Adjusted personal income: $25,930
Monthly apartment rent: $940
Home price: $401,795

Expensive local item: First-run new-release movie, $11.44
Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---logan-ut_ayczov — Personal income 2009: $25,092
Cost of living index score: 94.9
Adjusted personal income: $26,428
Monthly apartment rent: $650
Home price: $190,600

Expensive local item: 1-5 lb. sack sugar, $2.91

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/immigration-cities---7-riverside_nvty7c — Personal income 2009: $29,930
Cost of living index score: 112.3
Adjusted personal income: $26,660
Monthly apartment rent: $1,079
Home price: $400,187

Expensive local item: 1 gal. gasoline: $3.21

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---honolulu-hi_ba24ty — Personal income 2009: $45,486
Cost of living index score: 166.7
Adjusted personal income: $27,281
Monthly apartment rent: $2,463
Home price: $697,499

Expensive local item: 1 lb. pork sausage, $5.22
Marco Garcia / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---auburn-al_aae8fi — Personal income 2009: $27,259
Cost of living index score: 98.9
Adjusted personal income: $27,559
Monthly apartment rent: $660
Home price: $273,133

Expensive local item: 6.4 oz. tube toothpaste, $3.78

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---prescott-az_sqccqz — Personal income 2009: $28,877
Cost of living index score: 103.7
Adjusted personal income: $27,842
Monthly apartment rent: $825
Home price: $364,250

Expensive local item: Man’s two-piece suit dry cleaning, $12.25

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/poorest-metro-areas---las-cruces-nm_kdeiqk — Personal income 2009: $28,251
Cost of living index score: 100.5
Adjusted personal income: $28,118
Monthly apartment rent: $723
Home price: $312,600

Expensive local item: Boy’s jeans, $28.49
Getty Images

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---bakersfield-ca_pxjty7 — Personal income 2009: $29,940
Cost of living index score: 104.8
Adjusted personal income: $28,574
Monthly apartment rent: $732
Home price: $301,790

Expensive local item: Hamburger sandwich, $3.79

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---fairbanks-ak_lhbfwo — Personal income 2009: $38,856
Cost of living index score: 135.8
Adjusted personal income: $28,607
Monthly apartment rent: $1,130
Home price: $422,500

Expensive local item: 20 oz. bag potato chips, $4.62
Newscom

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---morristown-tn_ofaoo2 — Personal income 2009: $26,886
Cost of living index score: 91.7
Adjusted personal income: $29,314
Monthly apartment rent: N/A
Home price: $243,979

Expensive local item: Washer repair, $90

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---glen-falls-ny_e2mlzv — Personal income 2009: $32,994
Cost of living index score: 111.9
Adjusted personal income: $29,488
Monthly apartment rent: $720
Home price: $315,750

Expensive local item: 1 lb. frying chicken, $1.67
Mike Groll / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---myrtle-beach-sc_vlb19b — Personal income 2009: $28,354
Cost of living index score: 95.2
Adjusted personal income: $29,792
Monthly apartment rent: $648
Home price: $228,192

Expensive local item: Annual vet visit, $47.35
Mary Ann Chastain / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---eugene-or_hlllhx — Personal income 2009: $32,826
Cost of living index score: 109.7
Adjusted personal income: $29,922
Monthly apartment rent: $799
Home price: $422,861

Expensive local item: Doctor visit, $137.50
Ty Wright, Bloomberg / Getty Images

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---blacksburg-va_j5szur — Personal income 2009: $28,197
Cost of living index score: 93.9
Adjusted personal income: $30,035
Monthly apartment rent: $705
Home price: $282,826

Expensive local item: Monthly telephone bill, $35.99
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galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---flagstaff-az_r7xxwv — Personal income 2009: $34,111
Cost of living index score: $113.4
Adjusted personal income: $30,071
Monthly apartment rent: $1,000
Home price: $454,083

Expensive local item: Tire balancing, $11.19
Pete Zarria / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---sumter_vgq05h — Personal income 2009: $29,653
Cost of living index score: 97.4
Adjusted personal income: $30,442
Monthly apartment rent: $675
Home price: $268,276

Expensive local item: Men’s barbershop haircut, $17.30
Prince Grobhelm / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---bellingham-wa_qqocds — Personal income 2009: $34,657
Cost of living index score: 113.0
Adjusted personal income: $30,658
Monthly apartment rent: $902
Home price: $412,668

Expensive local item: 8 oz. canister Parmesan cheese, $5.77

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---valdosta_q6kp7x — Personal income 2009: $29,211
Cost of living index score: 95.0
Adjusted personal income: $30,734
Monthly apartment rent: $769
Home price: $255,500

Expensive local item: 5 lb. sack potatoes, $5.99
Mjrmtg / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---lafayette-in_yofbez — Personal income 2009: $30,268
Cost of living index score: 98.2
Adjusted personal income: $30,826
Monthly apartment rent: $731
Home price: $245,000

Expensive local item: Ibuprofen, $12.99
John Schanlaub / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---dover-de_bccqkh — Personal income 2009: $31,119
Cost of living index score: 100.3
Adjusted personal income: $31,013
Monthly apartment rent: $871
Home price: $254,900

Expensive local item: Head iceberg lettuce, $1.96

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/poorest-cities---hickory-north-carolina_eowktf — Personal income 2009: $29,317
Cost of living index score: 93.4
Adjusted personal income: $31,404
Monthly apartment rent: $686
Home price: $276,150

Expensive local item: 5 lb. sack potatoes, $3.55

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---cleveland-tn_dwf7rp — Personal income 2009: $29,704
Cost of living index score: 94.5
Adjusted personal income: $31,438
Monthly apartment rent: $531
Home price: $277,500

Expensive local item: 64 oz. orange juice, $3.27

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---hattiesburg-ms_li2jmv — Personal income 2009: $28,831
Cost of living index score: 91.5
Adjusted personal income: $31,493
Monthly apartment rent: $619
Home price: $222,871

Expensive local item: Total monthly energy costs, $195.38
AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---farmington-nm_rnbpyw — Personal income 2009: $30,479
Cost of living index score: 96.5
Adjusted personal income: $31,599
Monthly apartment rent: $608
Home price: $296,140

Expensive local item: 1.5 liter bottle wine, $9.63
Joel Sartore / Getty Images

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/poorest-metro-areas---ithaca_ejrybi — Personal income 2009: $33,632
Cost of living index score: 106.0
Adjusted personal income: $31,742
Monthly apartment rent: $990
Home price: $293,149

Expensive local item: 1 lb. margarine, $1.25
dougntone / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---el-paso-tx_pgi5k1 — Personal income 2009: $28,638
Cost of living index score: 90.2
Adjusted personal income: $31,765
Monthly apartment rent: $810
Home price: $232,601

Expensive local item: 1 lb. ground beef, $3.36
Victor Calzada / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---harrisonburg-va_wsaw5u — Personal income 2009: $30,795
Cost of living index score: 96.5
Adjusted personal income: $31,910
Monthly apartment rent: $737
Home price: $287,500

Expensive local item: Newspaper subscription, $22.72
Nikki Kahn, The Washington Post / Getty Images

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/pot-smoking-cities---new-york_zpvpni — Personal income 2009: $52,375
Cost of living index score: 163.6
Adjusted personal income: $32,013
Monthly apartment rent: $1,898
Home price: $771,659

Expensive local item: 1 lb. T-bone steak, $10.98

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---anderson-sc_dzggns — Personal income 2009: $29,542
Cost of living index score: 92
Adjusted personal income: $32,100
Monthly apartment rent: $683
Home price: $225,000

Expensive local item: 8-10 oz. frozen meal, $3.39
mckinney3 / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---los-angeles-ca_epwsig — Personal income 2009: $42,818
Cost of living index score: 133.3
Adjusted personal income: $32,112
Monthly apartment rent: $1,854
Home price: $580,113

Expensive local item: Beauty salon visit, $55.80
Jae C. Hong / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---yakima_fkhyco — Personal income 2009: $30,409
Cost of living index score: 94.6
Adjusted personal income: $32,155
Monthly apartment rent: $582
Home price: $265,651

Expensive local item: Optometrist visit, $120
AirLiner / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/poorest-metro-areas---janesville_cw9bbp — Personal income 2009: $30,797
Cost of living index score: 95.7
Adjusted personal income: $32,192
Monthly apartment rent: $630
Home price: $276,500

Expensive local item: 75 oz. dishwashing powder, $5.24
Getty Images

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---elkhart-goshen-in_pwljov — Personal income 2009: $30,180
Cost of living index score: 93.6
Adjusted personal income: $32,228
Monthly apartment rent: $680
Home price: $280,883

Expensive local item: Man’s dress shirt, $43.67
Scott Olson / Getty Images

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---muncie-in_jzd7t6 — Personal income 2009: $29,455
Cost of living index score: 91.3
Adjusted personal income: $32,270
Monthly apartment rent: $667
Home price: $234,816

Expensive local item: 15 oz. bottle shampoo, $1.22
OZinOH / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---burlington-va_uke47r — Personal income 2009: $30,338
Cost of living index score: 93.9
Adjusted personal income: $32,314
Monthly apartment rent: $708
Home price: $254,607

Expensive local item: Two pieces fried chicken, $4.30
Jim R. Bounds / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---poughkeepsie-ny_cmbrxp — Personal income 2009: $39,282
Cost of living index score: 120.3
Adjusted personal income: $32,654
Monthly apartment rent: $1,300
Home price: $396,925

Expensive local item: Can of three tennis balls, $4.28
Mike Groll / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/poorest-metro-areas---lima_mv5nzm — Personal income 2009: $30,568
Cost of living index score: 93.5
Adjusted personal income: $32,677
Monthly apartment rent: $523
Home price: $203,481

Expensive local item: 8-10 oz. frozen meal, $3.69
OzinOh / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---albany-ga_beztxf — Personal income 2009: $29,068
Cost of living index score: 88.9
Adjusted personal income: $32,690
Monthly apartment rent: $580
Home price: $223,000

Expensive local item: Half gallon milk, $2.42
Andy Callahan / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---greenville-nc_ediofd — Personal income 2009: $32,094
Cost of living index score: 97.8
Adjusted personal income: $32,832
Monthly apartment rent: $650
Home price: $249,500

Expensive local item: 30 tablets Lipitor, $167.33
Jerimee Richir / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---mobile-al_tkgfi3 — Personal income 2009: $30,468
Cost of living index score: 92.4
Adjusted personal income: $32,985
Monthly apartment rent: $609
Home price: $233,500

Expensive local item: 48 oz. canola oil, $3.39
Newscom

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---asheville-nc_fujizc — Personal income 2009: $33,554
Cost of living index score: 101.5
Adjusted personal income: $33,071
Monthly apartment rent: $817
Home price: $287,450

Expensive local item: Loaf white bread, $1.75
Alex Brandon / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---winchester_cfjcd4 — Personal income 2009: $33,568
Cost of living index score: 101.3
Adjusted personal income: $33,140
Monthly apartment rent: $820
Home price: $267,983

Expensive local item: 11-12 inch cheese pizza, $13
Martnpro / Flickr

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---providence-ri_fn9pqf — Personal income 2009: $40,790
Cost of living index score: 122.9
Adjusted personal income: $33,203
Monthly apartment rent: $1,260
Home price: $364,180

Expensive local item: Women’s slacks, $44.99
Newscom

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---lancaster-pa_yvyqet — Personal income 2009: $35,589
Cost of living index score: 107.1
Adjusted personal income: $33,217
Monthly apartment rent: $789
Home price: $360,000

Expensive local item: Six pack 12 oz. beer, $10.30
Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo

galleries/2010/08/23/america-s-most-recession-squeezed-cities/americas-poorest-metro-areas---bowling-green-ky_kpypaw — Personal income 2009: $30,348
Cost of living index score: 91.0
Adjusted personal income: $33,363
Monthly apartment rent: $579
Home price: $236,000

Expensive local item: 1 gal. gasoline, $2.95
lumierefl / Flickr

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