2020's Best & Worst Cities for People with Disabilities

Adam McCann, Financial WriterSep 29, 2020

Adam McCann, Financial Writer
Sep 29, 2020

When searching for a new home, people with disabilities often have a longer and more complicated list of considerations compared with other individuals. In addition to common wish-list items, such as reliable public transportation and diverse entertainment options, people with disabilities also must think about things like the accessibility of facilities or even the cleanliness of the air. In 2020, they’ll also need to consider how well the city is handling COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four U.S. adults, or 61 million total, have a disability that impacts their major activities. And among Americans age 65 and older, that number rises to two in five. Keeping up with the costs of a disability can be very expensive. The average monthly Social Security disability benefit as of August 2020 was only $1,126.02. That makes a yearly income of $13,512.24, only a few hundred dollars above the federal poverty line for a single individual at $12,760.

Although disability benefits can increase based on inflation, many people with disabilities rely on low cost of living and wages for financial relief. In 2019, over 5.8 million people with disabilities were employed. Naturally, there are less employment opportunities for people with disabilities and more barriers to securing a job.

With the physical and economic challenges of managing a disability in mind, WalletHub compared more than 180 most populated cities across 34 key indicators of disability-friendliness. Our data set ranges from physicians per capita to rate of workers with disabilities to park accessibility. Read on for our findings, expert insight from a panel of researchers and a full description of our methodology.

1Main Findings 2Ask The Experts

3Methodology

Main Findings

In the overall ranking below, readers who are particularly interested in the best places to live on disability income should focus on the “Economy” category. Likewise, those who place a higher premium on quality of medical care should focus on the “Health Care” category.

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Best & Worst Cities for People with Disabilities

Overall Rank (1 = Best)	City	Overall Score	‘Economy’ Rank	‘Quality of Life’ Rank	‘Health Care’ Rank
1	Scottsdale, AZ	57.20	10	39	35
2	St. Louis, MO	57.03	125	12	5
3	South Burlington, VT	56.40	3	36	116
4	Huntington Beach, CA	56.07	25	31	39
5	Bismarck, ND	55.90	18	153	1
6	Minneapolis, MN	55.79	162	9	2
7	Denver, CO	54.83	91	10	54
8	Overland Park, KS	54.81	2	171	8
9	San Francisco, CA	54.54	156	2	64
10	Pittsburgh, PA	54.52	106	21	20
11	Chandler, AZ	54.49	12	76	40
12	St. Paul, MN	54.23	142	42	3
13	Springfield, MO	54.20	85	51	15
14	Lexington-Fayette, KY	54.19	39	70	23
15	St. Petersburg, FL	54.14	11	53	102
16	Omaha, NE	54.04	79	59	14
17	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	53.70	9	72	112
18	Tempe, AZ	53.48	50	61	44
19	Kansas City, MO	53.25	33	78	38
20	Virginia Beach, VA	53.24	1	88	163
21	Tucson, AZ	52.95	124	8	94
22	Jacksonville, FL	52.92	20	104	24
23	Fort Lauderdale, FL	52.73	87	16	117
24	Lincoln, NE	52.64	69	86	18
25	Des Moines, IA	52.61	38	115	10
26	Fargo, ND	52.50	66	155	4
27	Columbus, OH	52.37	26	56	130
28	Gilbert, AZ	52.30	24	106	31
29	Plano, TX	52.29	5	135	48
30	Orlando, FL	52.20	67	30	121
31	Miami, FL	52.08	134	4	156
32	Tampa, FL	52.00	57	45	102
33	Toledo, OH	51.95	93	44	60
34	Portland, ME	51.87	122	64	17
35	Glendale, CA	51.86	154	13	46
36	San Antonio, TX	51.83	54	92	36
37	Philadelphia, PA	51.78	170	7	56
38	Irvine, CA	51.72	126	41	32
39	Riverside, CA	51.69	36	54	143
40	Columbia, MD	51.66	8	111	99
41	Peoria, AZ	51.63	27	120	37
42	Louisville, KY	51.50	53	43	136
43	Oakland, CA	51.48	174	3	83
44	Buffalo, NY	51.48	89	20	142
45	Salt Lake City, UT	51.44	109	14	138
46	Oceanside, CA	51.41	48	80	76
47	Yonkers, NY	51.39	44	63	128
48	Spokane, WA	51.31	108	57	47
49	Austin, TX	51.30	28	79	101
50	Cleveland, OH	51.27	157	15	61
51	Portland, OR	51.24	173	1	139
52	San Diego, CA	51.19	103	46	74
53	Little Rock, AR	51.16	51	143	16
54	Fremont, CA	51.12	47	95	49
54	Rochester, NY	51.12	135	6	155
56	Cincinnati, OH	50.95	102	19	150
57	Fort Smith, AR	50.91	84	93	41
58	Sacramento, CA	50.89	117	25	100
59	Jersey City, NJ	50.87	132	26	88
60	Colorado Springs, CO	50.86	71	71	82
61	Grand Rapids, MI	50.81	115	24	105
62	Milwaukee, WI	50.76	139	67	19
63	Glendale, AZ	50.73	58	98	50
64	Mesa, AZ	50.58	82	81	52
65	Madison, WI	50.51	107	62	69
66	Anaheim, CA	50.49	121	49	59
67	Indianapolis, IN	50.39	112	84	22
68	Albuquerque, NM	50.38	120	74	26
69	Billings, MT	50.31	52	169	12
70	Vancouver, WA	50.23	119	27	111
71	Grand Prairie, TX	50.18	7	175	109
72	Lubbock, TX	50.16	19	142	73
73	Nashua, NH	50.14	131	38	78
74	Wichita, KS	50.12	37	146	42
75	Henderson, NV	50.11	30	103	98
76	Cedar Rapids, IA	50.06	42	151	33
77	Charleston, WV	50.06	95	110	29
78	San Jose, CA	50.04	137	48	55
79	Chicago, IL	50.02	150	32	63
80	New York, NY	50.00	128	23	132
81	Sioux Falls, SD	49.99	104	105	21
82	Missoula, MT	49.94	155	83	9
83	Modesto, CA	49.86	40	75	152
84	Santa Clarita, CA	49.86	80	107	43
85	Seattle, WA	49.69	158	35	53
86	Reno, NV	49.68	98	50	133
87	Long Beach, CA	49.59	165	29	58
88	Santa Ana, CA	49.42	147	37	84
89	Honolulu, HI	49.40	130	11	177
90	Baltimore, MD	49.39	152	18	125
91	Corpus Christi, TX	49.32	15	158	70
92	Washington, DC	49.26	181	5	65
93	Tacoma, WA	49.25	77	77	118
94	Casper, WY	49.21	100	132	28
95	Augusta, GA	49.12	63	140	51
96	Las Vegas, NV	49.00	118	40	135
96	Salem, OR	49.00	114	55	120
98	Port St. Lucie, FL	48.87	6	168	151
99	Oklahoma City, OK	48.75	29	152	81
100	Phoenix, AZ	48.70	97	101	66
101	Los Angeles, CA	48.62	172	22	77
102	Amarillo, TX	48.60	17	165	106
103	Lewiston, ME	48.55	160	112	7
104	Charleston, SC	48.54	78	89	108
105	Durham, NC	48.50	62	118	89
106	Chesapeake, VA	48.48	4	163	159
107	Fort Worth, TX	48.42	22	138	126
108	Bakersfield, CA	48.36	55	96	153
109	Pembroke Pines, FL	48.28	60	128	90
110	Columbus, GA	48.26	64	137	85
111	Akron, OH	48.22	70	102	123
112	Las Cruces, NM	48.12	164	144	6
113	Boise, ID	48.10	140	117	13
114	Tulsa, OK	48.05	76	130	68
115	Raleigh, NC	48.03	45	99	167
116	Arlington, TX	48.01	13	170	104
117	Nashville, TN	47.91	96	100	93
118	Aurora, CO	47.90	90	126	62
119	Chula Vista, CA	47.87	92	124	67
120	Ontario, CA	47.68	56	116	148
120	West Valley City, UT	47.68	21	131	168
122	Rapid City, SD	47.62	127	91	80
123	Fresno, CA	47.58	168	60	75
124	Huntington, WV	47.51	171	58	57
125	Pearl City, HI	47.50	16	139	173
126	Houston, TX	47.39	49	127	140
127	Atlanta, GA	47.37	167	17	171
128	Chattanooga, TN	47.31	146	66	124
129	Laredo, TX	47.30	86	172	27
130	Santa Rosa, CA	47.30	138	69	113
131	Stockton, CA	47.27	148	65	115
132	Aurora, IL	47.22	43	176	71
133	El Paso, TX	47.19	32	161	114
134	Irving, TX	47.16	14	174	127
135	Manchester, NH	47.11	111	82	141
136	Garden Grove, CA	46.94	166	85	45
137	Anchorage, AK	46.83	23	178	87
138	Oxnard, CA	46.68	75	109	164
139	Dallas, TX	46.66	61	123	157
140	Richmond, VA	46.59	163	28	175
141	Wilmington, DE	46.51	176	73	34
142	Tallahassee, FL	46.28	94	141	119
143	Detroit, MI	46.22	175	46	92
144	Baton Rouge, LA	46.19	149	87	91
145	New Orleans, LA	46.09	151	52	172
146	Cheyenne, WY	46.02	133	164	30
147	Newport News, VA	46.00	34	147	169
148	Montgomery, AL	45.98	41	166	161
149	Hialeah, FL	45.84	83	122	162
150	Newark, NJ	45.81	169	68	107
151	Warwick, RI	45.75	35	157	170
152	Boston, MA	45.70	180	33	79
153	Fort Wayne, IN	45.68	129	108	110
154	Huntsville, AL	45.63	59	156	158
155	Shreveport, LA	45.61	122	149	72
156	Charlotte, NC	45.54	73	119	176
157	Jackson, MS	45.49	113	182	11
158	Mobile, AL	45.39	68	159	166
159	Fontana, CA	45.38	74	154	146
160	Burlington, VT	45.29	179	34	122
161	Garland, TX	45.15	31	180	134
162	Columbia, SC	45.08	144	121	86
163	Nampa, ID	45.04	145	173	25
164	Birmingham, AL	45.03	110	133	129
165	Cape Coral, FL	44.83	72	150	165
166	Fayetteville, NC	44.80	81	136	178
167	Brownsville, TX	44.68	105	167	95
168	Norfolk, VA	44.61	116	97	174
169	Dover, DE	44.58	141	129	97
170	Memphis, TN	44.49	136	134	96
171	North Las Vegas, NV	44.42	88	162	145
172	Greensboro, NC	44.13	65	148	182
173	Moreno Valley, CA	44.05	99	160	149
174	Knoxville, TN	43.87	153	113	131
175	Juneau, AK	43.73	46	181	160
176	Worcester, MA	43.35	161	114	137
177	San Bernardino, CA	43.26	143	125	154
178	Winston-Salem, NC	41.23	101	177	181
179	New Haven, CT	40.58	182	94	144
180	Providence, RI	40.47	177	90	179
181	Gulfport, MS	39.98	159	179	147
182	Bridgeport, CT	38.06	178	145	180

Ask The Experts

Having a disability can be both financially and physically burdensome. In light of these challenges, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What are some unique financial challenges faced by people with disabilities, particularly those who rely on government assistance? How can they be overcome?
In evaluating the best cities for people with disabilities, what are the top five indicators?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was adopted nearly three decades ago. What 21st century improvements should be made, if any, to this important act?
What local policies and programs have proven effective in increasing inclusion of and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities?
What can be done to facilitate better access to health care, testing sites and critical information when it comes to COVID-19 for people with disabilities?

Ask the Experts

: Michelle S. Ballan
Ph.D. – Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Social Welfare; Professor, Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine – Stony Brook University
Read More

: Lennard J. Davis
Distinguished Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of English, Department of Disability and Human Development, Department of Medical Education – University of Illinois at Chicago
Read More

: Roger S. Gottlieb
Professor of Philosophy, Department of Humanities and Arts – Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Read More

: Annette Bourbonniere
Professor of Economics - Community College of Rhode Island; Research Affiliate on Disability Employment Policy - University of Rhode Island
Read More

: Susannah B. Mintz
Professor, Department of English – Skidmore College
Read More

: Thomas J. Neuville
Ph.D. – Professor / Disability Studies Advisor; Faculty Administrator – Integrated Studies; Principal Investigator – Office of Postsecondary Education funded TPSID, Educational Foundations – Millersville University
Read More

More Experts

Methodology

To determine the most livable places for people with disabilities, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Economy, 2) Quality of Life and 3) Health Care.

We evaluated those dimensions using 34 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for people with disabilities. Please note that data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only. For metrics marked with two asterisks (**), the square root of the population was used to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the “city proper” in each case and excluded cities in the surrounding metro area.

Economy – Points: 33.33

Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~2.78 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Housing Costs (accounts for both rental and sale prices) / Median Annual Household Income.
Cost of Living: Full Weight (~2.78 Points)
Median Earnings for People with Disabilities: Double Weight (~5.56 Points)
Employment Rate for People with Disabilities: Double Weight (~5.56 Points)
Share of People with Disabilities Living in Poverty: Double Weight (~5.56 Points)
Share of Homeless People with Disabilities: Full Weight (~2.78 Points)
Annual Cost of In-Home Services: Full Weight (~2.78 Points)
Note: In-home, or homemaker services, include basic household assistance such as shopping, laundry, personal hygiene and meal preparation.
Presence of CDC Funding for Disability & Health Programs: Half* Weight (~1.39 Points)
Note: This binary metric considers the presence or absence of funding for disability and health programs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Presence of Public-Housing Waiting List for Seniors/People with Disabilities: Half* Weight (~1.39 Points)
Note: This binary metric considers the presence or absence of public-housing waiting lists that are currently open for seniors and people with disabilities. Public Housing is a federal program managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Presence of “Disability Insurance” Programs: Half* Weight (~1.39 Points)
Presence of Employment First: Half* Weight (~1.39 Points)
This metric measures the presence or absence of employment first activity, executive order or legislation in a state. The Employment First Program facilitates inclusion of people with significant disabilities in the workplace, encouraging integrated employment as the first and preferred option for youth and adults with disabilities receiving assistance from publicly funded systems.

Quality of Life – Points: 33.33

Share of People with Disabilities: Double Weight (~6.06 Points)
Special-Education Teachers per 1,000 School-Aged People with Disabilities: Full Weight (~3.03 Points)
Graduation Rate for Students with Disabilities: Half* Weight (~1.52 Points)
Wheelchair-Accessible Restaurants per Capita**: Full Weight (~3.03 Points)
Wheelchair-Accessible Grocery Stores per Capita**: Full Weight (~3.03 Points)
Wheelchair-Accessible Art, Entertainment & Recreational Establishments per Capita**: Full Weight (~3.03 Points)
Wheelchair-Accessible Trails per Capita**: Half* Weight (~1.52 Points)
Share of Population with Walkable Park Access: Half Weight (~1.52 Points)
Walkability: Full Weight (~3.03 Points)
Effectiveness of State Medicaid Programs: Full* Weight (~3.03 Points)
Note: This metric is based on the annual ranking of how well state Medicaid programs serve Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).
Share of Young Buildings: Half Weight (~1.52 Points)
Note: This metric considers the difficulty in making older buildings accessible and accounts for buildings built in 2000 or later.
Share of Accessible Homes Listed on Redfin.com: Full Weight (~3.03 Points)

Health Care – Points: 33.33

WalletHub “States with the Best Health Infrastructure for Coronavirus” Score: Triple* Weight (~9.52 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “States with the Best Health Infrastructure for Coronavirus” ranking.
Cost of Doctor Visit: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
Average Per-Person Health-Insurance Premium: Half* Weight (~1.59 Points)
Family Medicine Physicians per Capita: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
Occupational Therapists per Capita: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
Home Health Aides & Personal Care Aides per Capita: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)
Note: Home health aides and personal care aides help people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or cognitive impairment by assisting in their daily living activities.
WalletHub “Doctors” Ranking: Half* Weight (~1.59 Points)
WalletHub “Nurses” Ranking: Half* Weight (~1.59 Points)
Hospitals per Capita: Half* Weight (~1.59 Points)
Quality of Public Hospital System: Half* Weight (~1.59 Points)
Share of Uninsured Population: Full Weight (~3.17 Points)

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Council for Community and Economic Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Education Statistics, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Trust For Public Land, Genworth Financial, United Cerebral Palsy, APSE - Association of People Supporting Employment First, WalkScore, Yelp, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Affordable Housing Online, Kaiser Family Foundation, Eligibility.com, Redfin and WalletHub research.

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