Drone shot of residential streets in Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio on a cloudy afternoon in Fall.
A recent study by finance site WalletHub has ranked 182 cities across the United States from most to least stressed, shedding light on the factors contributing to residents’ stress levels. The analysis evaluated five dimensions, including work, financial, family, and health/safety stress, where a higher score indicates lower stress levels.
Chip Lupo, an analyst at WalletHub, noted that while some stressors are beyond individual control, such as issues with family or employers, the environment where one lives significantly affects overall stress. He stated, “Cities with high crime rates, weak economies, less effective public health, and congested transportation systems naturally lead to elevated stress levels for residents.”
The financial aspect of stress is particularly prominent. According to a survey conducted in April 2025 by CNBC and SurveyMonkey, 73 percent of Americans reported feeling financially stressed. Joanne Gavin, a Professor of Management at Marist University, highlighted rising grocery prices as a primary concern. She explained that from 2020 to 2024, U.S. food prices increased by a staggering 23.6 percent, severely impacting families’ ability to meet basic needs.
Most and Least Stressed Cities in the U.S.
The study’s findings reveal a stark contrast between the most and least stressed cities. The top ten most stressed cities include:
1. Detroit, MI
2. Cleveland, OH
3. Baltimore, MD
4. Gulfport, MS
5. Memphis, TN
6. Shreveport, LA
7. Philadelphia, PA
8. Toledo, OH
9. Birmingham, AL
10. Jackson, MS
Conversely, the ten least stressed cities are:
1. South Burlington, VT
2. Fremont, CA
3. Sioux Falls, SD
4. Irvine, CA
5. Burlington, VT
6. Fargo, ND
7. Bismarck, ND
8. Lincoln, NE
9. Overland Park, KS
10. Boise, ID
The data for this study was sourced from reputable organizations, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among others. For a complete list and interactive map, readers can visit the WalletHub website.
The Broader Conversation on Stress
The issue of stress has gained increasing attention in recent years. In a previous warning, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy highlighted the impact of stress on families, stating that the pressures faced by parents and caregivers often affect children both directly and indirectly. He emphasized, “The work of raising a child is work, no less valuable than the work performed in a paid job and of extraordinary value when it comes to the impact on the future of society.”
As discussions about mental health and stress continue, the findings from WalletHub’s study serve as a crucial reminder of how our environment can shape our well-being. The rankings underscore the importance of considering various factors that contribute to stress and the need for communities to address these challenges collectively.
