The common explanation I've heard is that on the east coast the poverty and violence is more condensed into ghetto areas whereas on the west coast the misery is

The common explanation I've heard is that on the east coast the poverty and violence is more condensed into ghetto areas whereas on the west coast the misery is spread around by having poor areas interleaved with rich ones. You might consider that more fair, but it also makes it much less predictable. Personally I like being able to choose to stay way the hell away from it.