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10 worst cities to start a career

As the gig economy booms and the positive job numbers continue to pour out from the DOL, it is evident that the current market is strong for job seekers. However, there are some municipalities that are prime for the up and coming worker to find stellar growth. However, there are also other areas in the country that might not be as strong for growth.

According to financial site WalletHub, these cities may prove difficult for the aspiring job seeker. When researching the best and worse spots to launch a career, research looked across two key dimensions, “professional opportunities” (weighing 70% of the overall score) and “quality of life” (weighing 30% of the overall score)

Twenty-seven relevant metrics were graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for job-market entrants. Under professional opportunities, WalletHub evaluated data such as the availability of entry-level jobs, starting salaries and median income growth. And for quality of life, the personal finance site evaluated commute times, average length of a work week and housing affordability.

According to the report, the following 10 cities top the list of worst cities to start a career comparing 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state.
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10. Detroit, Mich.

Professional opportunities rank: 158
Quality of life rank: 176
Overall score: 36.74
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9. North Las Vegas, Nev.

Professional opportunities rank: 176
Quality of life rank: 144
Overall score: 36.66
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Jackson, Mississippi, USA downtown skyline over the capitol at dusk.

8. Jackson, Miss.

Professional opportunities rank: 152
Quality of life rank: 180
Overall score: 36.65
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Newport News, United States - November 13, 2015: “Love NN” sign (“Love Newport News”) in Newport News’ City Center, with office buildings and a small lake with fountains in the background. Newport News is part of the Hampton Roads / Virginia Beach area.

7. Newport News, Va.

Professional opportunities rank: 182
Quality of life rank: 127
Overall score: 36.25
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State Capitol of Alabama in Montgomery.

6. Montgomery, Ala.

Professional opportunities rank: 164
Quality of life rank: 177
Overall score: 36.05
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Assorted cars passing a downtown area of office buildings along State Highway 21 in Newark, NJ. aRGB profile.

5. Newark, N.J.

Professional opportunities rank: 179
Quality of life rank: 168
Overall score: 34.85
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"The entrance to the Municipality of Hialeah. The design came out of a Charrete promoting the City of Hialeah a.k.a athe City of Progressai. The entrance is out of proportion, scale and its details are caricaturesque. It isnaat even an entrance. Yet it represents the desire of Hiealeah residents, politicians and planners to claim the inauthentic in order to craft a vision of progress."

4. Hialeah, Fla.

Professional opportunities rank: 154
Quality of life rank: 182
Overall score: 34.73
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Oxnard Palm Trees

3. Oxnard, Calif.

Professional opportunities rank: 178
Quality of life rank: 175
Overall score: 34.35
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Shreveport, Louisiana, USA downtown skyline on the Red River.

2. Shreveport, La.

Professional opportunities rank: 177
Quality of life rank: 179
Overall score: 34.10
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California, USA

1. Santa Clara, Calif.

Professional opportunities rank: 181
Quality of life rank: 169
Overall score: 34.08
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