Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it's due to work, finances, family, or health and safety concerns, everyone experiences stress to some degree. However, the past few years have seen a significant increase in stress levels across the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by record-high inflation and spiking homicide rates, has contributed to elevated stress levels among Americans. According to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association, around 83 percent of Americans currently feel stressed about inflation, and 75 percent feel stressed about violence and crime.
While some stress can be beneficial, known as "acute stress," as it keeps us active and alert, chronic stress can have damaging effects on our health and well-being. Chronic stress, when left unmanaged, can lead to health problems and loss of productivity. Workplace-related stress alone costs society more than $300 billion per year.
To determine the cities where Americans are coping with stress the least effectively, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 39 key metrics. These metrics range from average weekly work hours to the unemployment rate to divorce and suicide rates. Here are the top 10 most stressed-out places to live in America:
10. Augusta, GA
Total Score: 52.74
Work Stress: 33
Financial Stress: 24
Family Stress: 21
Health & Safety Stress: 23
Augusta rounds out the top 10, with significant stressors in work and health and safety. Residents in Augusta also face challenges related to family and finances.
9. St. Louis, MO
Total Score: 53.30
Work Stress: 48
Financial Stress: 8
Family Stress: 31
Health & Safety Stress: 17
St. Louis comes in ninth, with notable stressors in work and family life. Financial stress and health and safety concerns also contribute to the city's high-stress levels.
8. Fayetteville, NC
Total Score: 53.53
Work Stress: 45
Financial Stress: 17
Family Stress: 6
Health & Safety Stress: 36
Fayetteville ranks eighth, with stressors primarily in work and family life. The city's residents also face challenges related to health and safety, impacting their overall well-being.
7. Memphis, TN
Total Score: 53.81
Work Stress: 30
Financial Stress: 11
Family Stress: 39
Health & Safety Stress: 12
Memphis follows closely behind, with high levels of stress in work and family life. Economic factors, such as job security and income growth, also contribute to Memphis' stress ranking.
6. Shreveport, LA
Total Score: 54.11
Work Stress: 64
Financial Stress: 3
Family Stress: 67
Health & Safety Stress: 6
Shreveport ranks sixth, with significant stressors in work and health and safety. Residents in Shreveport also face challenges related to family and finances.
5. Philadelphia, PA
Total Score: 55.29
Work Stress: 8
Financial Stress: 9
Family Stress: 50
Health & Safety Stress: 11
Philadelphia comes in fifth, with notable stressors in work and family life. Financial stress and health and safety concerns also contribute to the city's high-stress levels.
4. Birmingham, AL
Total Score: 57.11
Work Stress: 23
Financial Stress: 20
Family Stress: 4
Health & Safety Stress: 5
Birmingham ranks fourth, with stressors primarily in work and family life. The city's residents also face challenges related to health and safety, impacting their overall well-being.
3. Baltimore, MD
Total Score: 57.43
Work Stress: 4
Financial Stress: 5
Family Stress: 9
Health & Safety Stress: 44
Baltimore follows closely behind, with high levels of stress in work and family life. The city also faces challenges related to health and safety, contributing to its overall stress ranking.
2. Detroit, MI
Total Score: 57.75
Work Stress: 50
Financial Stress: 2
Family Stress: 29
Health & Safety Stress: 1
Detroit ranks second, with significant stressors in work, family, and health and safety. Economic factors, such as job security and income growth, play a role in Detroit's high-stress levels.
1. Cleveland, OH
Total Score: 62.62
Work Stress: 47
Financial Stress: 1
Family Stress: 3
Health & Safety Stress: 2
Cleveland takes the top spot as the most stressed city in America. With high levels of work stress, financial stress, and health and safety stress, residents in Cleveland face a multitude of challenges.
While stress is a part of life, excessive stress can have negative effects on health and well-being. It's important for individuals living in these high-stress cities to seek support and implement stress management techniques to improve their overall quality of life.
