The COVID-19 pandemic was disastrous for U.S. employment, but the job market is showing signs of healing now that the country has mostly reopened. The national unemployment rate is currently at 5.2%, which is 65% lower than the peak of 14.8% during the height of the pandemic. The country has been able to make a lot of progress thanks to the distribution of the vaccine, but it will likely take a long time for the unemployment rate to return to the historic low it experienced prior to the coronavirus crisis. Some cities’ jobs have weathered the storm better than others, though.
In order to identify where workers have been most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, WalletHub compared 180 cities based on four key metrics. We looked at the change in each city’s unemployment during the latest month for which we have data (August 2021) compared to August 2019, August 2020 and January 2020. We also considered each city’s overall unemployment rate.
Please note that this report relies on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which disclosed that it misclassified some workers on temporary layoffs as “absent from work because of other reasons” rather than “unemployed.” Therefore, the real unemployment rate in August might be around 6% higher than reported. For this reason, WalletHub has included two columns for the unemployment rate in the table below, one with the officially reported unemployment rate and one with the “adjusted” rate after accounting for the misclassification.
Main Findings
Cities Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most
| Overall Rank | City | Unemployment Rate (August 2021) | Change in Unemployment (August 2021 vs August 2019) | Change in Unemployment (August 2021 vs January 2020) | Change in Unemployment (August 2021 vs August 2020) | Adjusted Unemployment Rate* (August 2021) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln, NE | 1.70% | -38.74% | -39.36% | -56.84% | 1.80% |
| 2 | Omaha, NE | 2.30% | -31.29% | -35.92% | -56.09% | 2.43% |
| 3 | Missoula, MT | 2.80% | -2.72% | -34.40% | -54.72% | 2.96% |
| 4 | Salt Lake City, UT | 2.60% | 3.81% | 7.09% | -56.85% | 2.75% |
| 5 | Oklahoma City, OK | 2.80% | -2.75% | -1.93% | -55.73% | 2.96% |
| 6 | Boise, ID | 2.40% | 9.51% | -6.53% | -47.93% | 2.54% |
| 7 | Billings, MT | 2.90% | -14.08% | -24.83% | -46.21% | 3.07% |
| 8 | Fargo, ND | 2.30% | 28.45% | -7.25% | -52.02% | 2.43% |
| 9 | Sioux Falls, SD | 2.50% | 0.93% | -11.34% | -40.24% | 2.65% |
| 10 | Springfield, MO | 3.00% | -9.07% | -15.04% | -47.18% | 3.17% |
| 11 | Huntsville, AL | 2.90% | 12.17% | 9.76% | -58.00% | 3.07% |
| 12 | West Valley City, UT | 2.80% | 11.19% | 0.05% | -50.94% | 2.96% |
| 13 | Manchester, NH | 3.10% | 16.41% | -0.85% | -61.30% | 3.28% |
| 14 | Tulsa, OK | 3.20% | 2.54% | -1.20% | -56.87% | 3.39% |
| 15 | Rapid City, SD | 2.90% | -3.11% | -4.16% | -40.44% | 3.07% |
| 16 | Bismarck, ND | 2.60% | 22.71% | -5.53% | -41.97% | 2.75% |
| 17 | Nampa, ID | 3.00% | -2.06% | -13.19% | -39.38% | 3.17% |
| 18 | Nashua, NH | 3.40% | 13.34% | -7.88% | -57.48% | 3.60% |
| 19 | Fort Smith, AR | 3.40% | -1.69% | -15.39% | -42.86% | 3.60% |
| 20 | Burlington, VT | 2.90% | 20.84% | 38.57% | -50.86% | 3.07% |
| 21 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | 3.20% | -0.49% | -6.93% | -33.18% | 3.39% |
| 22 | Louisville, KY | 3.60% | -9.75% | -11.72% | -35.87% | 3.81% |
| 23 | Cheyenne, WY | 3.50% | -0.53% | -22.14% | -32.80% | 3.70% |
| 24 | Huntington, WV | 4.30% | -11.45% | 2.34% | -54.93% | 4.55% |
| 25 | Atlanta, GA | 4.10% | 2.08% | 6.16% | -55.99% | 4.34% |
| 26 | Augusta, GA | 4.30% | -13.49% | -13.87% | -48.28% | 4.55% |
| 27 | Columbus, GA | 4.30% | -13.70% | -7.53% | -48.41% | 4.55% |
| 28 | Spokane, WA | 4.60% | -12.08% | -25.77% | -52.12% | 4.87% |
| 29 | Scottsdale, AZ | 3.70% | -0.33% | 6.39% | -36.48% | 3.91% |
| 30 | Juneau, AK | 3.60% | 1.33% | -6.86% | -30.73% | 3.81% |
| 31 | Gilbert, AZ | 3.50% | 1.92% | 4.79% | -28.00% | 3.70% |
| 32 | Charleston, WV | 4.50% | 0.49% | 7.81% | -56.79% | 4.76% |
| 33 | Madison, WI | 3.10% | 25.96% | 43.97% | -36.32% | 3.28% |
| 34 | Durham, NC | 3.80% | 4.47% | 22.49% | -41.55% | 4.02% |
| 35 | Overland Park, KS | 3.40% | 13.97% | 34.86% | -37.19% | 3.60% |
| 36 | Knoxville, TN | 3.90% | 20.03% | 13.82% | -49.04% | 4.13% |
| 37 | Virginia Beach, VA | 3.60% | 29.77% | 31.77% | -48.24% | 3.81% |
| 38 | South Burlington, VT | 2.60% | 71.60% | 46.46% | -41.18% | 2.75% |
| 39 | Chesapeake, VA | 3.80% | 24.30% | 30.66% | -49.52% | 4.02% |
| 40 | Nashville, TN | 3.80% | 51.41% | 36.82% | -61.20% | 4.02% |
| 41 | Raleigh, NC | 4.10% | 7.87% | 26.66% | -40.33% | 4.34% |
| 42 | Vancouver, WA | 5.00% | -3.87% | -2.43% | -52.06% | 5.29% |
| 43 | Minneapolis, MN | 4.10% | 33.68% | 57.71% | -57.32% | 4.34% |
| 44 | Austin, TX | 3.50% | 37.17% | 40.48% | -36.14% | 3.70% |
| 45 | Kansas City, MO | 4.40% | 9.49% | 18.36% | -43.18% | 4.66% |
| 46 | Chandler, AZ | 4.10% | 9.11% | 14.17% | -26.41% | 4.34% |
| 47 | Reno, NV | 4.30% | 34.87% | 23.53% | -45.68% | 4.55% |
| 48 | Tempe, AZ | 4.30% | 10.48% | 12.05% | -30.21% | 4.55% |
| 49 | Pembroke Pines, FL | 4.30% | 35.25% | 35.97% | -45.88% | 4.55% |
| 50 | Salem, OR | 4.50% | 8.41% | 23.37% | -36.24% | 4.76% |
| 51 | St. Paul, MN | 4.50% | 35.07% | 45.95% | -52.31% | 4.76% |
| 52 | Portland, OR | 4.60% | 35.12% | 52.58% | -55.99% | 4.87% |
| 53 | Mesa, AZ | 4.50% | 5.48% | 7.38% | -27.40% | 4.76% |
| 54 | Peoria, AZ | 4.40% | 5.71% | 10.00% | -24.31% | 4.66% |
| 55 | Charlotte, NC | 4.60% | 18.92% | 34.46% | -42.39% | 4.87% |
| 56 | Tacoma, WA | 5.60% | 0.07% | -4.39% | -52.60% | 5.92% |
| 57 | Plano, TX | 4.00% | 25.17% | 32.02% | -24.25% | 4.23% |
| 58 | St. Petersburg, FL | 4.40% | 37.36% | 36.55% | -42.37% | 4.66% |
| 59 | Casper, WY | 5.00% | 32.55% | -1.54% | -45.11% | 5.29% |
| 60 | Cape Coral, FL | 4.50% | 28.28% | 21.64% | -34.08% | 4.76% |
| 61 | Tampa, FL | 4.70% | 30.57% | 36.13% | -43.58% | 4.97% |
| 62 | Birmingham, AL | 5.10% | 38.67% | 42.02% | -58.79% | 5.40% |
| 63 | Des Moines, IA | 4.70% | 35.61% | 1.58% | -34.69% | 4.97% |
| 64 | Amarillo, TX | 3.60% | 37.45% | 41.55% | -12.60% | 3.81% |
| 65 | Indianapolis, IN | 4.70% | 48.76% | 44.10% | -49.83% | 4.97% |
| 66 | Charleston, SC | 3.70% | 77.18% | 60.42% | -36.93% | 3.91% |
| 67 | Chattanooga, TN | 5.00% | 35.49% | 23.70% | -46.38% | 5.29% |
| 68 | Columbus, OH | 5.20% | 34.52% | 21.82% | -50.49% | 5.50% |
| 69 | Warwick, RI | 5.10% | 47.57% | 28.83% | -54.48% | 5.40% |
| 70 | Anchorage, AK | 4.80% | 12.91% | 10.97% | -22.45% | 5.08% |
| 71 | Port St. Lucie, FL | 4.70% | 24.83% | 28.58% | -28.14% | 4.97% |
| 72 | Mobile, AL | 5.50% | 33.42% | 34.96% | -56.88% | 5.82% |
| 73 | Winston-Salem, NC | 5.10% | 16.97% | 33.81% | -36.83% | 5.40% |
| 74 | Jacksonville, FL | 4.70% | 28.86% | 32.98% | -29.70% | 4.97% |
| 75 | Little Rock, AR | 5.00% | 43.77% | 33.93% | -44.01% | 5.29% |
| 76 | Gulfport, MS | 5.70% | 2.80% | 12.32% | -39.38% | 6.03% |
| 77 | Cincinnati, OH | 5.80% | 23.13% | 19.07% | -53.12% | 6.14% |
| 78 | Glendale, AZ | 5.10% | 13.96% | 17.75% | -25.64% | 5.40% |
| 79 | Garland, TX | 4.60% | 36.51% | 42.29% | -26.99% | 4.87% |
| 80 | Greensboro, NC | 5.50% | 15.37% | 35.46% | -40.76% | 5.82% |
| 81 | St. Louis, MO | 5.50% | 27.87% | 30.79% | -45.14% | 5.82% |
| 82 | Montgomery, AL | 5.20% | 60.07% | 57.61% | -55.55% | 5.50% |
| 83 | Phoenix, AZ | 5.20% | 20.33% | 24.89% | -27.59% | 5.50% |
| 84 | Seattle, WA | 4.20% | 86.37% | 81.93% | -42.77% | 4.44% |
| 85 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 5.20% | 44.35% | 28.96% | -37.17% | 5.50% |
| 86 | Lubbock, TX | 4.30% | 47.81% | 52.60% | -17.04% | 4.55% |
| 87 | Newport News, VA | 5.40% | 54.27% | 47.23% | -51.02% | 5.71% |
| 88 | Orlando, FL | 5.30% | 62.62% | 66.24% | -56.04% | 5.61% |
| 89 | Irving, TX | 4.80% | 45.60% | 56.46% | -30.02% | 5.08% |
| 90 | Richmond, VA | 5.40% | 55.01% | 60.94% | -52.88% | 5.71% |
| 91 | Arlington, TX | 4.90% | 42.26% | 49.16% | -27.53% | 5.18% |
| 92 | Norfolk, VA | 5.50% | 51.69% | 58.21% | -51.89% | 5.82% |
| 93 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 5.50% | 52.65% | 54.14% | -48.71% | 5.82% |
| 94 | San Antonio, TX | 4.90% | 50.49% | 55.61% | -27.85% | 5.18% |
| 95 | Grand Rapids, MI | 5.40% | 35.08% | 51.78% | -34.48% | 5.71% |
| 96 | Tallahassee, FL | 5.20% | 35.55% | 34.19% | -23.93% | 5.50% |
| 97 | Columbia, SC | 4.60% | 64.64% | 42.34% | -21.51% | 4.87% |
| 98 | Fort Wayne, IN | 5.20% | 64.76% | 46.17% | -39.48% | 5.50% |
| 99 | Albuquerque, NM | 5.90% | 23.50% | 28.08% | -33.06% | 6.24% |
| 100 | Pittsburgh, PA | 6.30% | 26.19% | 31.77% | -46.96% | 6.67% |
| 101 | Grand Prairie, TX | 5.20% | 44.32% | 48.67% | -26.38% | 5.50% |
| 102 | Wichita, KS | 5.80% | 49.21% | 50.64% | -46.35% | 6.14% |
| 103 | Akron, OH | 6.60% | 30.00% | 6.87% | -49.42% | 6.98% |
| 104 | Las Cruces, NM | 6.30% | 4.20% | 14.29% | -30.43% | 6.67% |
| 105 | Dallas, TX | 5.20% | 47.62% | 56.79% | -26.03% | 5.50% |
| 106 | Fremont, CA | 5.00% | 72.32% | 76.14% | -35.19% | 5.29% |
| 107 | Jackson, MS | 6.50% | 7.65% | 26.03% | -35.99% | 6.88% |
| 108 | Tucson, AZ | 5.90% | 19.67% | 19.77% | -20.53% | 6.24% |
| 109 | Baton Rouge, LA | 6.40% | 19.76% | 21.13% | -33.12% | 6.77% |
| 109 | Washington, DC | 6.30% | 13.31% | 23.87% | -27.92% | 6.67% |
| 111 | Detroit, MI | 8.40% | -19.31% | -11.87% | -65.19% | 8.89% |
| 112 | Fort Worth, TX | 5.30% | 51.35% | 56.36% | -22.75% | 5.61% |
| 113 | San Jose, CA | 5.30% | 83.38% | 84.98% | -43.65% | 5.61% |
| 114 | El Paso, TX | 5.50% | 43.05% | 44.73% | -19.88% | 5.82% |
| 115 | San Francisco, CA | 5.00% | 105.25% | 103.34% | -47.24% | 5.29% |
| 116 | Laredo, TX | 5.80% | 52.46% | 39.51% | -26.33% | 6.14% |
| 117 | Huntington Beach, CA | 5.60% | 83.42% | 86.52% | -43.52% | 5.92% |
| 118 | Houston, TX | 6.00% | 51.56% | 51.93% | -29.14% | 6.35% |
| 119 | Shreveport, LA | 6.90% | 19.31% | 20.24% | -32.74% | 7.30% |
| 120 | Baltimore, MD | 7.10% | 19.15% | 35.59% | -38.04% | 7.51% |
| 121 | Boston, MA | 5.60% | 100.76% | 102.60% | -46.08% | 5.92% |
| 122 | Aurora, IL | 6.40% | 63.94% | 53.21% | -37.45% | 6.77% |
| 123 | Santa Rosa, CA | 5.70% | 94.33% | 79.52% | -36.76% | 6.03% |
| 124 | Toledo, OH | 7.40% | 43.55% | 13.87% | -46.44% | 7.83% |
| 125 | Santa Ana, CA | 6.00% | 89.97% | 94.88% | -44.76% | 6.35% |
| 126 | Fayetteville, NC | 7.10% | 20.22% | 34.43% | -29.29% | 7.51% |
| 127 | Yonkers, NY | 7.30% | 44.56% | 60.12% | -52.04% | 7.72% |
| 128 | Irvine, CA | 5.60% | 90.52% | 97.52% | -30.88% | 5.92% |
| 129 | Providence, RI | 7.60% | 49.38% | 44.84% | -53.90% | 8.04% |
| 130 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 5.90% | 90.96% | 98.44% | -35.48% | 6.24% |
| 131 | Corpus Christi, TX | 6.50% | 51.45% | 44.74% | -20.28% | 6.88% |
| 132 | San Diego, CA | 6.30% | 83.50% | 88.21% | -39.89% | 6.67% |
| 133 | Cleveland, OH | 7.60% | 43.15% | 15.66% | -39.60% | 8.04% |
| 134 | Portland, ME | 4.60% | 136.13% | 110.08% | -16.30% | 4.87% |
| 135 | Colorado Springs, CO | 5.60% | 89.98% | 76.65% | -15.58% | 5.92% |
| 136 | Worcester, MA | 6.80% | 79.59% | 80.57% | -38.96% | 7.19% |
| 137 | Riverside, CA | 6.80% | 80.35% | 72.23% | -35.43% | 7.19% |
| 138 | Henderson, NV | 7.10% | 81.64% | 87.18% | -47.61% | 7.51% |
| 139 | Oceanside, CA | 6.90% | 85.59% | 89.58% | -41.46% | 7.30% |
| 140 | Wilmington, DE | 8.30% | 39.04% | 27.38% | -36.47% | 8.78% |
| 141 | Oakland, CA | 7.20% | 93.88% | 90.87% | -44.73% | 7.62% |
| 142 | Buffalo, NY | 8.40% | 45.96% | 53.08% | -47.75% | 8.89% |
| 143 | Milwaukee, WI | 7.30% | 46.23% | 87.93% | -24.06% | 7.72% |
| 144 | Denver, CO | 5.90% | 135.31% | 114.92% | -28.79% | 6.24% |
| 145 | Rochester, NY | 8.60% | 38.21% | 42.98% | -45.34% | 9.10% |
| 146 | Ontario, CA | 6.90% | 94.71% | 98.39% | -34.92% | 7.30% |
| 147 | Brownsville, TX | 8.00% | 34.35% | 17.57% | -15.39% | 8.46% |
| 148 | Anaheim, CA | 6.90% | 117.35% | 121.73% | -46.93% | 7.30% |
| 149 | Memphis, TN | 8.00% | 83.46% | 62.01% | -48.39% | 8.46% |
| 150 | Oxnard, CA | 7.90% | 40.44% | 54.10% | -22.70% | 8.36% |
| 151 | Sacramento, CA | 7.40% | 87.42% | 84.16% | -34.59% | 7.83% |
| 152 | Modesto, CA | 8.20% | 48.53% | 48.95% | -30.80% | 8.68% |
| 153 | Fontana, CA | 7.30% | 94.90% | 98.29% | -34.00% | 7.72% |
| 154 | Dover, DE | 8.60% | 37.75% | 37.75% | -29.88% | 9.10% |
| 155 | Las Vegas, NV | 8.20% | 83.15% | 91.13% | -49.14% | 8.68% |
| 156 | Honolulu, HI | 6.10% | 157.92% | 201.04% | -48.69% | 6.45% |
| 157 | Bakersfield, CA | 8.70% | 47.68% | 50.22% | -35.05% | 9.20% |
| 158 | Jersey City, NJ | 7.60% | 113.31% | 98.56% | -40.36% | 8.04% |
| 159 | New Haven, CT | 8.00% | 64.58% | 64.79% | -20.44% | 8.46% |
| 160 | Chula Vista, CA | 7.70% | 104.08% | 95.14% | -37.00% | 8.15% |
| 161 | Santa Clarita, CA | 8.50% | 87.54% | 80.02% | -44.96% | 8.99% |
| 162 | Moreno Valley, CA | 8.10% | 85.84% | 83.11% | -32.82% | 8.57% |
| 163 | Aurora, CO | 6.70% | 146.43% | 127.15% | -28.49% | 7.09% |
| 164 | Fresno, CA | 9.00% | 44.69% | 53.84% | -27.17% | 9.52% |
| 165 | Garden Grove, CA | 7.70% | 129.47% | 137.38% | -47.66% | 8.15% |
| 166 | Philadelphia, PA | 9.60% | 43.21% | 55.84% | -40.20% | 10.16% |
| 167 | New Orleans, LA | 9.00% | 68.83% | 73.81% | -32.16% | 9.52% |
| 168 | Stockton, CA | 9.80% | 47.52% | 29.92% | -30.24% | 10.37% |
| 169 | Bridgeport, CT | 9.70% | 59.86% | 48.03% | -26.70% | 10.26% |
| 170 | Miami, FL | 6.70% | 136.72% | 283.98% | -26.74% | 7.09% |
| 171 | Los Angeles, CA | 9.70% | 91.11% | 92.23% | -44.40% | 10.26% |
| 172 | San Bernardino, CA | 9.50% | 89.05% | 95.15% | -34.26% | 10.05% |
| 173 | Chicago, IL | 9.20% | 110.72% | 136.83% | -41.87% | 9.73% |
| 174 | North Las Vegas, NV | 9.50% | 110.15% | 106.22% | -42.30% | 10.05% |
| 175 | Lewiston, ME | 6.70% | 137.76% | 126.48% | 24.57% | 7.09% |
| 176 | Long Beach, CA | 10.20% | 89.91% | 100.01% | -42.13% | 10.79% |
| 177 | Newark, NJ | 10.80% | 74.04% | 57.51% | -39.67% | 11.43% |
| 178 | Glendale, CA | 10.20% | 125.04% | 121.57% | -44.12% | 10.79% |
| 179 | Hialeah, FL | 7.30% | 152.97% | 307.37% | -18.51% | 7.72% |
| 180 | New York, NY | 9.80% | 137.01% | 148.29% | -34.32% | 10.37% |
*Adjusted based on a Bureau of Labor Statistics error that failed to classify people on temporary layoffs as unemployed.
Ask the Experts
The high national rate of unemployment has left many Americans wondering how they will make it through the pandemic. In order to provide insight on how to help the unemployed during this crisis, WalletHub turned to a panel of experts. Click on the experts below to see their bios and responses to the following key questions:
- As the avalanche of claims has overwhelmed state offices, what are some measures local authorities can take to assist the unemployed?
- Given the current state of the economy how long will it take for unemployment rates to return to pre-crisis levels?
- Due to the massive backlog in processing unemployment claims, many have still not received their benefits. What are the best solutions for the population that have not yet begun receiving their payments to make ends meet?
- What can those that are newly unemployed be doing right now?
Ask the Experts
- Christine Moser
Ph.D. – Professor, Associate Director, AEA Summer Training Program, Department of Economics, Western Michigan University
Read More
- David M. Piper
Department Chairperson and Professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Read More
- Tuvana Rua
Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Management, School of Business, Quinnipiac University
Read More
- Linda Fisher Thornton
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Richmond School of Professional and Continuing Studies
Read More
Methodology
In order to determine the cities where unemployment is most impacted by COVID-19, WalletHub compared 180 of the largest cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least one of the most populated cities in each state — across two categories. In the first category, we compared the change in unemployment for the latest month for which we had data (August 2021) to August 2019, August 2020 and January 2020, in order to show the impact since 2019 and since last year. In the second category, we looked at each city’s overall unemployment rate. We then used the average of those categories to rank-order the cities.
Change in Unemployment - Total Points: 50
- Change in Unemployment in August 2021 vs. August 2019: Full Weight (~16.67 Points)
- Change in Unemployment in August 2021 vs. January 2020: Full Weight (~16.67 Points)
- Change in Unemployment in August 2021 vs. August 2020: Full Weight (~16.67 Points)
Unemployment Rate - Total Points: 50
- Unemployment Rate (August 2021): Full Weight (~50.00 Points)
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.