Best and worst cities in the U.S. to practice

Medscape has released its third-annual list of the best and worst big cities and small towns in the United States to practice, based on lifestyle, climate, practice conditions, and amenities. So did your city make the list? 

The list divides the country up into six regions-West and Northwest, Great Lakes and North Central, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Southwest and South Central.

Medscape looked at:

• State-level data, such as tax burden data

• Malpractice claims information

• Medical board disciplinary actions

• Cities and towns within the most favorable states that offered the best opportunities for physicians, as recommended by doctors and recruiters

• Market-specific data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Coldwell banker Real Estate, Sperling’s Best Places, Bureau of Labor Statistics to assess economics, demographics, housing costs, and quality of life.

West and Northwest

The best big city: Tri-Cities (Kenneqick, Pasco, and Richland), WA.

• High reimbursement rates

• Great place to raise children

• Low crime rate

• Average home price: $303,388

• State and local taxes: 9.4%

 

Best small town: Douglas, WY

• Top critical access hospital (Douglas Memorial Hospital)

• Wealth-friendly state

• Plenty of outdoor activities

• Unemployment: 4.7%

• Average home price: $227,415

• State and local taxes: 6.9%

 

Worst city: Los Angeles

• Bad traffic

• High cost of living

• Intense healthcare market consolidation

• Low reimbursement rates

• Average home price: $383,900

• State and local taxes: 11.4%

According to Medscape, “Southern California reimbursement rates are low, and state and local taxes are extremely high. Doctors in Los Angeles are likely to earn less than their peers in less populous markets while paying substantially more for housing.”

 

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