[rxsid]

"In other words, I’m kind of throwing up my hands here. There doesn’t seem to be any definitive rhyme or reason. "

Agreed. This is a bizarre list.

Most Miserable US Cities Data (Source: US Census Bureau)

Los Angeles "typhoid city" is ranked 187 and not in top 10 (let alone top 50)?

Better yet, San Francisco "fecal matter city" is ranked 748?

Chicago "murder city" is ranked outside top 50 worst, at 78?

[Mr. Jeeves]

Because parts of L.A. and San Francisco are still great places to live - if you can afford to isolate yourself from the element.

There is a pretty clear dark to light spectrum on the California list.