Baltimore
Rank: 29
Population: 612,701

A city with a beautiful waterfront and unique Mid-Atlantic flair, Baltimore misses the top 25 due to its high unemployment, 11.1 percent, and its crime rate, fourth worst on our list. Still, fans of The Wire might get an unfair impression of this city. Its location on the Eastern seaboard makes it easily accessible, and Baltimore boasts major research hubs, such as Johns Hopkins University.

Bars: 243
Restaurants: 1,590
Museums: 45
Libraries: 36
Pro sports teams: 2
Park acres per 1,000 residents: 8
Colleges: 11
Percent with graduate degree: 8.5
Median household income: $50,492
Percent unemployed: 11.1