Rock Springs has a fascinating coal mining history, but it hasn’t resulted in much visual charm. The city is often criticized for its industrial zones and sparse, arid landscapes, which feel more functional than attractive.

Despite being surrounded by picturesque ski resorts, Rutland is often overshadowed by its dilapidated downtown and numerous vacant storefronts. The stark contrast between its natural beauty and urban decay is hard to miss.

Williston’s rapid population boom, driven by the oil industry, brought challenges. The quick influx led to hastily built housing and structures, giving the city a cluttered and chaotic appearance.

Bethel, an important port along the Kuskokwim River, is more functional than scenic. The city is characterized by muddy roads and practical buildings, prioritizing utility over beauty.

Belle Fourche may be the geographic center of America, but its aesthetics fall short. The town’s architecture is often outdated and bland, lacking the charm to captivate visitors. While it holds a special place on the map, Belle Fourche could benefit from a facelift to better reflect its important location.

As Delaware’s capital, you’d expect Dover to shine, but parts of the city lack visual appeal. While the historic elements are present, they are often overshadowed by uninspired and aging buildings. A modern makeover could greatly enhance the cityscape, breathing new life into its streets and complementing its rich history.

Great Falls is known for its proximity to natural wonders like the Missouri River, but its city center tells a different story. Aging infrastructure and monotonous urban planning make it less visually appealing. The city could shine brighter if its urban core reflected the beauty of its natural surroundings.

Central Falls faces many challenges common in post-industrial towns, including neglected buildings and a densely packed urban environment that lacks visual interest. Despite its small size, the city struggles with maintaining its infrastructure and aesthetics, presenting a drab landscape for both residents and visitors.

Manchester is lively and bustling, but its appearance is often marred by outdated industrial structures. The absence of green spaces further diminishes the city’s charm, making some areas feel like a concrete jungle. Focusing on urban renewal and adding greenery could transform Manchester into a more attractive destination.

Located in the heart of Oahu, Wahiawa boasts beautiful natural surroundings, but the city itself struggles with a dull urban layout and aging structures that don’t reflect Hawaii’s renowned beauty.

Jerome is surrounded by Idaho’s beautiful farmland, but the town suffers from unappealing architecture and a lack of modern amenities, resulting in a visually disappointing experience for both residents and visitors.

Huntington, home to a major university, is a hub for education. However, its rundown neighborhoods and decaying infrastructure often overshadow its academic achievements.

Located near scenic bluffs, Scottsbluff is frequently criticized for its monotonous cityscape and older buildings, which starkly contrast with the surrounding natural beauty.

Gallup is rich in cultural history and serves as an important hub for Native American culture. However, its urban design often lacks visual appeal. The town’s overall appearance can seem run-down and lacks the charm found in other areas of New Mexico, making it less inviting for visitors looking for aesthetic enjoyment.

Fernley serves as an important commuter town, resulting in a more functional appearance than an aesthetic one. Its landscape is dominated by industrial and commercial zones, contrasting sharply with Nevada’s casino-filled entertainment hubs. This focus on practicality leads to less picturesque views for both residents and visitors.

Junction City is cherished for its strong military ties, but its urban design leaves much to be desired. The city’s layout and uninspired architectural style make it less visually appealing. Despite its historical significance and community spirit, the town often receives more critiques than compliments regarding its appearance.

Pine Bluff has deep historical roots but frequently faces criticism for its neglected appearance. The city features numerous dilapidated buildings and areas in need of revitalization. Despite its rich history and cultural significance, Pine Bluff’s overall look does not reflect the charm or upkeep one would expect from a town with such historical importance.

Meridian, despite being a key rail hub, often faces criticism for its rundown neighborhoods and struggling economy, making it less appealing to residents and visitors. While there is historical and cultural charm to discover, the surrounding urban decay overshadows much of the city’s potential appeal.

Mason City is known for its jazz and architecture, but its downtown area is disappointing. Spread out and lacking a cohesive design, the heart of the city fails to inspire. While history buffs and music enthusiasts might find some interesting spots, the overall aesthetic can be underwhelming for those expecting more vibrancy and charm from an Iowan city.

Ogden has a rich history, particularly connected to the railroads, but its appeal decreases in its industrial zones and older neighborhoods. These areas feature aging buildings and utilitarian structures that fail to attract those looking for Utah’s renowned scenic beauty.

Waterbury’s days as an industrial powerhouse are behind it, leaving a city marked by urban decay. The crumbling infrastructure and neglected areas contribute to an uninviting appearance. Despite ongoing redevelopment efforts, Waterbury struggles to overcome the remnants of its less glamorous past, leaving both residents and visitors longing for more appealing surroundings.

Lawton is recognized for its significant military presence thanks to Fort Sill, but the city often disappoints with its bland urban landscapes. The architecture and environment can feel monotonous and dull, providing little visual interest.

When the question was asked on Reddit, “Which is the ugliest US city?” a top answer was:

“Easily the ugliest and most depressing city I’ve ever been to. I have an older sister who lives there and I DREAD visiting her.”

In the heart of California, Bakersfield has a vibrant community and some hidden gems, but it doesn’t excel in beauty. The city’s landscape is mostly flat and dry, featuring many industrial buildings and a lack of greenery. Despite its cultural offerings and friendly locals, Bakersfield’s aesthetic falls short, earning it a notable mention on our list.

Ontario, surrounded by Oregon’s beautiful natural scenery, often lacks visual appeal. The town has difficulty maintaining a cohesive and attractive cityscape. Its outdated infrastructure and neglected buildings indicate a need for a major revitalization to align with the picturesque surroundings. Both residents and visitors often note the striking contrast between the city’s potential and its current condition.

Middlesboro, beautifully situated in the Appalachian Mountains, unfortunately experiences significant urban decay. While its location provides breathtaking landscapes, the city’s infrastructure tells a different story. Limited urban renewal efforts have left many areas looking rundown and neglected. The contrast between the potential beauty of its natural setting and the actual state of the town’s buildings and public spaces is striking.

Historic St. Joseph is home to many charming historic homes but continues to struggle with urban blight. The city’s once-vibrant neighborhoods are now characterized by neglected properties and rundown areas. While history enthusiasts may appreciate the architectural gems scattered throughout, the overall cityscape suffers from insufficient investment and maintenance. Ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the city have yet to completely eliminate the signs of neglect.

Monroe is a testament to rich cultural heritage, but its charm is often overshadowed by visible urban decay. Despite its valuable cultural roots and historical significance, the city struggles with aesthetic investment. Many areas feature rundown buildings and neglected public spaces. Without significant urban renewal efforts, Monroe’s full potential remains unrealized, leaving both locals and visitors longing for a more picturesque environment.

Once a bustling industrial hub, Gadsden now struggles with numerous vacant buildings and areas in desperate need of revitalization. The remnants of its industrial past are visible in the city’s architecture and layout, but the lack of modern maintenance has created a pervasive sense of abandonment. For a city rich in history, the contrast between its storied past and current condition is striking, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive urban redevelopment.

Aiken may be a haven for horse lovers, but its downtown area presents a different picture. The cityscape feels outdated, lacking the modern amenities and aesthetic appeal that residents and visitors might desire. While its rural surroundings are picturesque, the urban center leaves much to be desired.

Jackson is renowned for its rich musical heritage and vibrant history, yet it faces significant challenges in urban planning. Many areas of the city appear stuck in a bygone era, with architectural styles and public spaces that don’t capture the vitality and dynamism expected in a modern city.

Gary has a storied past in the music world, but its current condition often confuses visitors. The city is marked by urban decay, with abandoned buildings and poorly maintained public spaces. The once-thriving industrial areas now stand as stark reminders of better days gone by.

When the question was asked on Reddit, “Which is the ugliest US city?” Gary, Indiana was the top answer saying:

“Unless Apocalypse is your style, then I would say Gary, Indiana.”

Known for its strong ties to the steel industry, Pueblo struggles with a disconnect between its industrious roots and modern aesthetics. Many residential and commercial areas appear neglected, with few updates to improve visual appeal. While the town’s rugged charm may appeal to some, it largely falls short in terms of scenic beauty.

Casa Grande has significant historical importance, but its urban areas have not kept pace with modern standards of beauty and attraction. The contrast between its historical landmarks and the uninviting downtown can be jarring for visitors. Many believe the city could do more to leverage its rich past to create a more visually appealing present.

Situated by the river, Beloit constantly battles urban decay and unattractive remnants of its industrial past. Despite redevelopment efforts, the cityscape remains cluttered with signs of former industrial glory, making it less visually appealing than its counterparts.

Located near Baltimore, Glen Burnie often struggles to stand out because of its sprawling suburban landscape. The absence of distinctive charm and cohesive urban planning leaves it overshadowed, making it one of the less attractive cities in Maryland.

While Saint Cloud is known for its granite industry, its urban layout is marked by outdated zones and unattractive areas. The city’s aesthetic appeal is diminished by visible signs of past eras, which do not match the more modernized areas in Minnesota.

Yakima is known for its picturesque vineyards in the Valley, but the city’s core often falls short with its lack of contemporary design and visual appeal. The urban environment does not reflect the scenic beauty of the surrounding countryside, making it less attractive compared to other areas in Washington.

Steeped in Civil War history, Petersburg is a city that has struggled with urban decay. Once a significant battlefield, it now desperately needs revitalization projects to restore its crumbling infrastructure and neglected areas. Despite its storied past, current efforts to bring Petersburg back to its former glory remain a challenging endeavor.

High Point, known for its strong furniture industry, unfortunately lacks urban aesthetic appeal. The city’s efforts to balance industry with modernity have left many areas looking outdated and uninspired. While the furniture sector brings in revenue, the cityscape continues to face criticism for its lack of vibrant and appealing public spaces.

Baytown plays a crucial role in Texas’s industrial landscape due to its coastal location. However, the city often faces criticism for its lack of scenic beauty and underwhelming urban environment. While its industrial infrastructure is economically significant, it detracts from the visual charm that residents and visitors seek, making Baytown less appealing overall.

Flint’s history as a bustling automotive hub is now overshadowed by urban decay and infrastructural disrepair. Once known for its vital role in the auto industry, the city currently faces significant socio-economic challenges, making it less attractive and more infamous for its ongoing water crisis and vacant buildings.

Albany has deep historic roots but is marred by rundown areas and economic struggles. The city often faces criticism for its lackluster public spaces and unattractive neighborhoods. Despite its historical significance, Albany’s economic challenges affect its overall aesthetic and hinder efforts to modernize and beautify the community.

Mansfield has faced significant economic challenges, resulting in many dilapidated buildings and a stark, uninspiring cityscape. The urban sprawl is characterized by a lack of rejuvenation efforts, making it a prime candidate for this list.

With deep industrial roots, Chester struggles to overcome its image of urban neglect. The lack of aesthetic investment and contemporary appeal leaves much to be desired, making it a challenging place to find beauty.

While Niagara Falls is famous for its breathtaking natural waterfall, the city itself presents a different picture. Neglected urban areas and a lack of significant development create a stark contrast between the natural beauty and urban blight.

Rockford features beautiful parks and green spaces, but these highlights are overshadowed by neighborhoods trapped in a cycle of urban decay and blight. The city’s difficulty in maintaining consistent aesthetic appeal places it on this list.

Brockton faces challenges due to outdated urban infrastructure that lacks the charm found in other Massachusetts towns. Its struggle with modernization and aesthetic appeal has placed it among the less visually pleasing municipalities.