The Most and Least stressed US Cities
America’s Most and Least Stressed Out Destinations
Travel can be quite stressful these days but it’s also a great stress reliever, providing people the chance to escape the daily grind and experience something new or return to their favorite place. Personal finance website WalletHub recently analyzed 182 of the largest U.S. cities across 40 key metrics, including factors such as the average weekly work hours, divorce and crime rates to determine which are the most and least stressed-out in 2022. The metrics were spread out into four different categories, including work stress, financial stress, family stress and health and safety stress, with each category counting for 25 percent of a city’s total score. Scores ranged from 28.58 to 64.66. In this case, it’s good to have a lower score as these cities are coping the best, based on the data.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio is the most stressed-out city in America, based on WalletHub’s latest research, ranking highest in the nation for financial worries and second for both family stress and health and safety pressures. Cleveland has the highest divorce rate and third-highest poverty rate as well as the second-lowest average hours of sleep per night. That doesn’t mean peace and serenity can’t be had in Cleveland, whether it’s casting a line at Edgewater Park or jamming out your worries at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Detroit, Michigan
The U.S. city facing the second-most stress these days is Detroit, which ranks in the top 10 for financial (second), family (seventh) and health and safety (first) stress. Nonetheless, Detroit is a worthwhile destination that’s certain to pleasantly surprise visitors with an array of fascinating museums, mouthwatering restaurants and the inviting Belle Isle.
Baltimore, Maryland
Ranking fifth nationwide for work stress and eighth for family stress, Charm City has unfortunately developed a reputation across the country due to its crime but tourists shouldn’t let that deter them from experiencing this magnificent Mid-Atlantic city boasting iconic attractions such as the National Aquarium, Fort McHenry and the Edgar Allan Poe House, among others.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Only Pearl City, Hawaii ranks higher than Philadelphia when it comes to work-related stress, a category that considers the average weekly work hours, job security, traffic congestion, unemployment rate, job satisfaction and income growth, among other factors. That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of ways to destress in Philly, a city rich in history, iconic sites like the famous “Rocky” steps and plenty of peaceful public parks.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis has the nation’s fourth-highest crime rate and gets the third-least amount of sleep, according to WalletHub’s research, resulting in one of the highest stress scores in the country. Fortunately, Memphis offers plenty of ways to escape the negativity, whether it’s gaining inspiration by learning about the Civil Rights Movement, finding your happy place on lively Beale Street or touring the Home of Elvis Presley at Graceland.
Madison, Wisconsin
Receiving a total score of just 31.27, Madison is easily one of the least stressed cities in the country. The Wisconsin capital doesn’t rank higher than 148th in either of the four big stress categories. Therefore, the laidback lake life of Madison may be just the thing for those looking to decompress this summer.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont is also living relatively stress-free this summer. The city on Lake Champlain’s eastern shore boasts the highest average hours of sleep per night and also has one of the lowest percentages of adults in fair/poor health (T-136th). What’s more, Burlington has the lowest average weekly work hours in the nation.
San Jose, California
Despite being the 10th-most populated city in the U.S., San Jose is short on stress, ranking seventh-lowest in WalletHub’s study. The Silicon Valley hotspot and tech-friendly destination ranks a stellar 180th among the 182 cities analyzed for financial stress and has one of the country’s lowest divorce rates.
Boise, Idaho
Boise’s WalletHub stress score of 36.49 is one of the lowest in the nation. It helps that Idaho’s capital city features numerous parks, gardens and trails where locals and visitors alike can take in a deep breath of fresh air from time to time. The city fares best in terms of work stress, with only eight other U.S. cities ranking lower.