Stress is inevitable. Everyone experiences some type and level of it normally, but the COVID-19 pandemic this year has created a much more stressful environment than usual. With social distancing and isolation, that stress has only become amplified. In fact, 39 percent of Americans say worry or stress about coronavirus has had a negative impact on their physical health. As states reopen, hopefully Americans’ anxiety will start to diminish, too.
Stress is not always a bad thing. Certain kinds of stress can have positive effects on a person’s well-being, at least in the right doses. According to Psychology Today, “A little bit of stress, known as ‘acute stress,’ can be exciting—it keeps us active and alert.” When stress reaches an unmanageable level, however, it turns “chronic.” That’s when we become vulnerable to its damaging effects such as health problems and loss of productivity. By one estimate, workplace-related stress alone costs society more than $300 billion per year – and that’s not even taking into account this year’s pandemic.
To determine the cities where Americans cope best, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 42 key metrics. Our data set ranges from how vulnerable the state is to COVID-19 to average weekly work hours to divorce and suicide rates. Read on for our findings, expert insight and a full description of our methodology.
Main Findings
*1=Most Stressed
Most & Least Stressed Cities in America
Overall Rank* |
City |
Total Score |
‘Work Stress’ Rank |
‘Financial Stress’ Rank |
‘Family Stress’ Rank |
‘Health & Safety Stress’ Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cleveland, OH | 66.93 | 35 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
2 | Detroit, MI | 64.96 | 97 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
3 | Birmingham, AL | 62.40 | 71 | 15 | 1 | 4 |
4 | Gulfport, MS | 62.39 | 10 | 18 | 20 | 5 |
5 | Newark, NJ | 62.37 | 6 | 4 | 30 | 43 |
6 | Baltimore, MD | 62.03 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 45 |
7 | New Orleans, LA | 60.44 | 24 | 16 | 40 | 8 |
8 | St. Louis, MO | 59.78 | 48 | 2 | 43 | 41 |
9 | Mobile, AL | 59.75 | 53 | 6 | 90 | 9 |
10 | Jackson, MS | 59.27 | 81 | 20 | 7 | 13 |
11 | Montgomery, AL | 59.26 | 86 | 3 | 61 | 17 |
12 | Akron, OH | 59.16 | 63 | 11 | 37 | 11 |
13 | Toledo, OH | 58.65 | 87 | 17 | 36 | 6 |
14 | Charleston, WV | 58.57 | 8 | 38 | 120 | 2 |
15 | Houston, TX | 58.46 | 17 | 28 | 11 | 52 |
16 | Shreveport, LA | 58.13 | 45 | 19 | 65 | 10 |
17 | Memphis, TN | 57.97 | 92 | 8 | 39 | 23 |
18 | Philadelphia, PA | 57.47 | 14 | 31 | 47 | 28 |
19 | Cincinnati, OH | 57.20 | 52 | 26 | 69 | 7 |
20 | Huntington, WV | 56.56 | 64 | 9 | 103 | 20 |
21 | Milwaukee, WI | 56.46 | 36 | 30 | 15 | 64 |
22 | Wilmington, DE | 56.26 | 62 | 40 | 18 | 21 |
23 | Augusta, GA | 56.04 | 88 | 12 | 54 | 40 |
24 | Columbus, GA | 56.00 | 90 | 13 | 85 | 18 |
25 | Chicago, IL | 55.89 | 7 | 41 | 45 | 89 |
26 | New York, NY | 55.66 | 4 | 29 | 52 | 129 |
27 | Newport News, VA | 55.54 | 20 | 10 | 112 | 72 |
28 | Indianapolis, IN | 55.13 | 28 | 23 | 130 | 24 |
29 | San Bernardino, CA | 55.12 | 121 | 47 | 2 | 59 |
30 | Baton Rouge, LA | 54.85 | 39 | 61 | 73 | 12 |
31 | Norfolk, VA | 54.85 | 65 | 24 | 32 | 68 |
32 | Dover, DE | 54.48 | 120 | 22 | 53 | 44 |
33 | Little Rock, AR | 54.40 | 124 | 21 | 111 | 14 |
34 | Rochester, NY | 54.38 | 46 | 66 | 21 | 54 |
35 | Fayetteville, NC | 54.29 | 75 | 14 | 102 | 48 |
36 | Dallas, TX | 54.24 | 55 | 51 | 14 | 85 |
37 | Atlanta, GA | 54.02 | 38 | 35 | 57 | 77 |
38 | Richmond, VA | 54.00 | 56 | 48 | 27 | 69 |
39 | Chattanooga, TN | 53.92 | 142 | 25 | 68 | 22 |
40 | Hialeah, FL | 53.69 | 107 | 33 | 8 | 101 |
41 | Phoenix, AZ | 53.63 | 161 | 27 | 29 | 32 |
42 | Miami, FL | 53.47 | 122 | 37 | 22 | 71 |
43 | Laredo, TX | 53.22 | 154 | 34 | 31 | 39 |
44 | Tulsa, OK | 52.83 | 73 | 65 | 51 | 29 |
45 | Washington, DC | 52.81 | 34 | 130 | 5 | 121 |
46 | Bridgeport, CT | 52.55 | 22 | 43 | 44 | 131 |
47 | New Haven, CT | 52.32 | 145 | 32 | 28 | 81 |
48 | Providence, RI | 52.32 | 70 | 50 | 82 | 51 |
49 | Worcester, MA | 52.10 | 27 | 134 | 16 | 93 |
50 | San Antonio, TX | 52.02 | 68 | 54 | 91 | 46 |
51 | Corpus Christi, TX | 52.00 | 111 | 64 | 79 | 30 |
52 | Los Angeles, CA | 51.83 | 74 | 57 | 19 | 119 |
53 | Las Vegas, NV | 51.69 | 132 | 107 | 9 | 75 |
54 | Las Cruces, NM | 51.66 | 130 | 36 | 76 | 62 |
55 | El Paso, TX | 51.61 | 117 | 70 | 26 | 74 |
56 | Springfield, MO | 51.50 | 104 | 68 | 77 | 38 |
57 | Fresno, CA | 51.33 | 151 | 52 | 13 | 82 |
58 | Columbia, SC | 51.24 | 164 | 39 | 72 | 36 |
59 | Winston-Salem, NC | 51.20 | 114 | 83 | 46 | 49 |
60 | Brownsville, TX | 51.18 | 156 | 44 | 35 | 57 |
61 | Boston, MA | 51.11 | 31 | 91 | 59 | 112 |
62 | Wichita, KS | 51.07 | 139 | 71 | 24 | 61 |
63 | Jacksonville, FL | 51.04 | 103 | 84 | 92 | 33 |
64 | Kansas City, MO | 50.92 | 47 | 79 | 129 | 34 |
65 | Oklahoma City, OK | 50.74 | 60 | 58 | 118 | 53 |
66 | Tampa, FL | 50.69 | 84 | 98 | 58 | 58 |
67 | Buffalo, NY | 50.65 | 50 | 112 | 94 | 60 |
68 | Stockton, CA | 50.64 | 133 | 59 | 38 | 83 |
69 | Albuquerque, NM | 50.58 | 134 | 73 | 80 | 35 |
70 | North Las Vegas, NV | 50.47 | 138 | 74 | 6 | 105 |
71 | Fort Worth, TX | 50.33 | 40 | 117 | 55 | 88 |
72 | Fort Wayne, IN | 50.31 | 137 | 90 | 84 | 37 |
73 | Louisville, KY | 50.17 | 26 | 49 | 163 | 47 |
74 | Oakland, CA | 50.16 | 15 | 97 | 63 | 133 |
75 | Columbus, OH | 50.05 | 58 | 103 | 136 | 27 |
76 | Fort Smith, AR | 50.03 | 165 | 46 | 110 | 15 |
77 | Denver, CO | 50.03 | 19 | 111 | 56 | 147 |
78 | Sacramento, CA | 49.67 | 116 | 89 | 17 | 134 |
79 | Portland, OR | 49.61 | 29 | 126 | 70 | 123 |
80 | Garland, TX | 49.60 | 109 | 92 | 10 | 145 |
81 | Arlington, TX | 49.32 | 77 | 105 | 49 | 97 |
82 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 49.26 | 18 | 119 | 115 | 80 |
83 | Warwick, RI | 49.22 | 3 | 76 | 168 | 104 |
84 | Yonkers, NY | 49.11 | 1 | 136 | 121 | 148 |
85 | Tucson, AZ | 49.05 | 174 | 62 | 75 | 31 |
86 | St. Petersburg, FL | 49.05 | 129 | 138 | 89 | 25 |
87 | Huntsville, AL | 49.04 | 172 | 72 | 93 | 16 |
88 | Knoxville, TN | 48.94 | 162 | 53 | 139 | 19 |
89 | Vancouver, WA | 48.84 | 93 | 85 | 41 | 126 |
90 | Lewiston, ME | 48.80 | 61 | 69 | 117 | 114 |
91 | Greensboro, NC | 48.41 | 125 | 87 | 109 | 65 |
92 | Amarillo, TX | 48.21 | 153 | 86 | 126 | 26 |
93 | Glendale, AZ | 48.20 | 171 | 60 | 60 | 78 |
94 | Jersey City, NJ | 48.12 | 23 | 106 | 95 | 136 |
95 | Long Beach, CA | 48.03 | 30 | 82 | 104 | 143 |
96 | Orlando, FL | 47.86 | 170 | 96 | 64 | 56 |
97 | Pittsburgh, PA | 47.76 | 82 | 93 | 140 | 67 |
98 | Spokane, WA | 47.57 | 175 | 116 | 33 | 66 |
99 | Lubbock, TX | 47.56 | 167 | 100 | 88 | 49 |
100 | Tacoma, WA | 47.54 | 100 | 115 | 78 | 110 |
101 | Moreno Valley, CA | 47.48 | 147 | 75 | 23 | 139 |
102 | Bakersfield, CA | 47.30 | 157 | 55 | 113 | 86 |
103 | Austin, TX | 47.12 | 85 | 145 | 66 | 135 |
104 | Nashville, TN | 47.06 | 128 | 101 | 128 | 73 |
105 | Grand Rapids, MI | 47.02 | 110 | 149 | 119 | 55 |
106 | Salem, OR | 47.01 | 126 | 102 | 123 | 84 |
107 | Mesa, AZ | 46.90 | 168 | 77 | 107 | 63 |
108 | Grand Prairie, TX | 46.84 | 99 | 108 | 50 | 144 |
109 | Port St. Lucie, FL | 46.67 | 119 | 45 | 153 | 107 |
110 | Reno, NV | 46.65 | 155 | 147 | 48 | 87 |
111 | Modesto, CA | 46.61 | 59 | 156 | 106 | 94 |
112 | Fontana, CA | 46.54 | 140 | 67 | 108 | 120 |
113 | Santa Ana, CA | 46.53 | 150 | 99 | 71 | 113 |
114 | Tallahassee, FL | 46.51 | 169 | 42 | 127 | 91 |
115 | Henderson, NV | 46.46 | 96 | 154 | 25 | 159 |
116 | Charlotte, NC | 46.39 | 54 | 142 | 147 | 92 |
117 | San Francisco, CA | 46.27 | 41 | 169 | 62 | 158 |
118 | Riverside, CA | 46.18 | 159 | 104 | 87 | 99 |
119 | Manchester, NH | 45.91 | 78 | 150 | 138 | 79 |
120 | Cape Coral, FL | 45.87 | 51 | 137 | 116 | 137 |
121 | Anchorage, AK | 45.85 | 11 | 170 | 97 | 155 |
122 | San Diego, CA | 45.84 | 98 | 144 | 74 | 167 |
123 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | 45.82 | 136 | 118 | 164 | 42 |
124 | Pembroke Pines, FL | 45.65 | 13 | 139 | 157 | 130 |
125 | Santa Rosa, CA | 45.36 | 43 | 161 | 122 | 152 |
126 | Tempe, AZ | 45.29 | 181 | 81 | 100 | 70 |
127 | Aurora, CO | 45.24 | 66 | 132 | 101 | 156 |
128 | Minneapolis, MN | 45.20 | 112 | 157 | 86 | 141 |
129 | Anaheim, CA | 45.12 | 72 | 123 | 105 | 157 |
130 | Durham, NC | 44.99 | 80 | 164 | 133 | 90 |
131 | Aurora, IL | 44.96 | 25 | 159 | 146 | 117 |
132 | Juneau, AK | 44.92 | 5 | 179 | 143 | 109 |
133 | Oxnard, CA | 44.87 | 118 | 140 | 114 | 132 |
134 | Seattle, WA | 44.86 | 95 | 172 | 42 | 160 |
135 | Honolulu, HI | 44.86 | 37 | 153 | 99 | 174 |
136 | Ontario, CA | 44.80 | 163 | 94 | 83 | 151 |
137 | Casper, WY | 44.74 | 32 | 131 | 156 | 172 |
138 | St. Paul, MN | 44.67 | 44 | 146 | 142 | 128 |
139 | Chula Vista, CA | 44.47 | 89 | 133 | 98 | 169 |
140 | Colorado Springs, CO | 44.46 | 160 | 128 | 67 | 153 |
141 | Nampa, ID | 44.42 | 144 | 79 | 81 | 173 |
142 | Irving, TX | 44.42 | 135 | 135 | 96 | 149 |
143 | West Valley City, UT | 44.35 | 176 | 88 | 34 | 163 |
144 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 44.01 | 101 | 125 | 131 | 146 |
145 | Glendale, CA | 43.99 | 42 | 110 | 155 | 162 |
146 | Virginia Beach, VA | 43.91 | 113 | 143 | 145 | 115 |
147 | Chesapeake, VA | 43.74 | 123 | 122 | 134 | 140 |
148 | Cheyenne, WY | 43.69 | 76 | 155 | 152 | 122 |
149 | Raleigh, NC | 43.62 | 79 | 173 | 132 | 118 |
150 | Salt Lake City, UT | 43.43 | 149 | 109 | 135 | 150 |
151 | Santa Clarita, CA | 43.38 | 33 | 95 | 150 | 179 |
152 | Rapid City, SD | 43.31 | 49 | 113 | 173 | 124 |
153 | Oceanside, CA | 43.25 | 106 | 120 | 125 | 175 |
154 | Charleston, SC | 43.21 | 131 | 152 | 159 | 95 |
155 | Garden Grove, CA | 43.14 | 69 | 124 | 148 | 161 |
156 | Huntington Beach, CA | 42.95 | 16 | 167 | 141 | 168 |
157 | Peoria, AZ | 42.94 | 152 | 114 | 151 | 124 |
158 | Portland, ME | 42.78 | 105 | 121 | 167 | 127 |
159 | Nashua, NH | 42.19 | 108 | 166 | 161 | 96 |
160 | Des Moines, IA | 41.85 | 158 | 160 | 154 | 108 |
161 | Omaha, NE | 41.48 | 173 | 63 | 170 | 116 |
162 | Chandler, AZ | 41.25 | 179 | 141 | 149 | 98 |
163 | Missoula, MT | 41.18 | 143 | 56 | 176 | 142 |
164 | Scottsdale, AZ | 40.92 | 148 | 151 | 166 | 103 |
165 | Irvine, CA | 40.87 | 57 | 127 | 160 | 178 |
166 | Burlington, VT | 40.03 | 91 | 78 | 178 | 166 |
167 | Pearl City, HI | 39.74 | 21 | 162 | 144 | 182 |
168 | Columbia, MD | 39.58 | 141 | 175 | 162 | 76 |
169 | Gilbert, AZ | 39.34 | 182 | 129 | 165 | 102 |
170 | San Jose, CA | 39.32 | 115 | 180 | 124 | 176 |
171 | Cedar Rapids, IA | 38.63 | 166 | 168 | 171 | 106 |
172 | Plano, TX | 38.43 | 94 | 181 | 158 | 165 |
173 | Billings, MT | 38.30 | 127 | 165 | 175 | 154 |
174 | Fremont, CA | 38.28 | 2 | 182 | 174 | 180 |
175 | South Burlington, VT | 37.80 | 12 | 174 | 182 | 177 |
176 | Madison, WI | 37.53 | 146 | 171 | 169 | 164 |
177 | Bismarck, ND | 37.29 | 67 | 177 | 180 | 111 |
178 | Overland Park, KS | 36.70 | 83 | 178 | 172 | 170 |
179 | Fargo, ND | 36.40 | 177 | 163 | 179 | 100 |
180 | Sioux Falls, SD | 36.14 | 102 | 148 | 181 | 171 |
181 | Boise, ID | 35.77 | 178 | 176 | 137 | 181 |
182 | Lincoln, NE | 35.49 | 180 | 158 | 177 | 138 |
*1=Most Stressed
Ask the Experts
Stress can be harmful to various aspects of our lives, including our jobs, finances and relationships. To help Americans find effective ways to manage their stress, we turned to a panel of health experts for advice. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:
- How can employers reduce work-related stress?
- What are the most effective ways for people to manage stress levels caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?
- What tips do you have for a person who finds managing finances to be stressful?
- What tips do you have for a person who wishes to find relaxation on a budget?
- What activities should families engage in together to minimize stress and ease tensions between family members?
Ask the Experts
- Claudia Grauf-Grounds
Ph.D. – Professor Emerita of Marriage and Family Therapy, Seattle Pacific University
Read More
- Jerry Gale
Ph.D. – Professor, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Georgia
Read More
- Amanda Szarzynski
Ph.D. – Assistant Professor of Professional Practice; Clinical Director of the Center for Family Services, Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University
Read More
- Miyoung Yoon Hammer
Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, Chair, Department of Marriage and Family Therapy, School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Read More
- Christopher J. L. Cunningham
Ph.D. – I-O Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator, UC Foundation Professor, Member of Graduate Faculty, Psychology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Read More
- Lioudmila Praslova
Ph.D. – Director of Organizational Psychology, Vanguard University of Southern California
Read More
Methodology
In order to determine the most and least stressed cities in America, 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 four key dimensions: 1) Work Stress, 2) Financial Stress, 3) Family Stress, and 4) Health & Safety Stress. Our sample considers only the city proper in each case and excludes cities in the surrounding metro area.
We evaluated the four dimensions using 42 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 highest levels of stress. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only.
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.
Work Stress – Total Points: 25
- Average Weekly Work Hours: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
- Job Security: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
- Traffic Congestion: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
Note: This metric measures the annual hours spent in congestion per auto commuter. - Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
- Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
- Share of Households where No Adults Work: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
- Average Commute Time (in Minutes): Half Weight (~1.47 Points)
- Income Growth: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
Note: “Growth” compares income levels in 2018 versus in 2017. - Job Satisfaction Ranking: Full Weight (~2.94 Points)
Note: This metric is based on Indeed Job Happiness Index.
Financial Stress – Total Points: 25
- Median Annual Household Income: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric was adjusted for the cost of living. - Share of Households Behind on Bills in Past 12 Months: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
- Foreclosure Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
- Personal-Bankruptcy Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
- Median Debt per Median Earnings: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
- Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
- Poverty Rate: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
- Food Insecurity: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: Food Insecurity is the percentage of the population who did not have access to a reliable source of food during the past year. - Housing Affordability: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated as follows: Housing Costs (accounts for both rental and sale prices) / Median Annual Household Income. - Share of Mortgage Holders with Negative Equity: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
Note: This metric measures the proportion of mortgage holders whose balance on mortgage is higher than the value of homes.
Family Stress – Total Points: 25
- Separation & Divorce Rate: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
- Share of Single Parent Households: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
- Median Duration of Current Marriage: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
- Strength of Social Ties: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
Note: This metric is based on responses to Sharecare’s RealAge® Test and was used to indicate where relationships with family and friends are stronger, thus providing an upside to one’s social life and well-being. - Availability of Childcare Workers per Total Number of Children: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
- Child Care Cost: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
Note: Monthly Cost of Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private for 1 Child (proxy for child care cost).
Health & Safety Stress – Total Points: 25
- WalletHub “States with the Most Vulnerable Populations to Coronavirus” Score*: Triple Weight (~3.57 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “States with the Most Vulnerable Populations to Coronavirus” ranking. - WalletHub “States with the Biggest Health Improvements During COVID-19” Score*: Triple Weight (~3.57 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “States with the Biggest Health Improvements During COVID-19” ranking. - Share of Adults in Fair or Poor Health: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Share of Adults Who Could Not See a Doctor Because of Cost: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Share of Adults Diagnosed with Depression: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Mental Health: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Suicide Rate: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Share of Insured Population: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Share of Adult Binge Drinkers: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion. - Share of Adult Smokers: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Physical-Activity Rate: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Share of Obese Residents: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Share of Adults with Inadequate Sleep: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults sleeping fewer than seven hours per night. - Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Crime Rate: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
- Occurrence of Protests and Rallies in the Wake of George Floyd's Death: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of protests and rallies that occurred in the wake of George Floyd’s death in each city, as of June 29, 2020. - Hate-Crime Incidents per Capita: Full Weight (~1.19 Points)
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, INRIX, Chmura Economics & Analytics, Indeed, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Renwood RealtyTrac, County Health Rankings, Zillow, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, TransUnion, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Council for Community and Economic Research, Gallup-Healthways, Numbeo, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sharecare, USA Today and WalletHub research.
Videos for News Use:
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