Posted by: Richie Bernardo

Stress is inevitable. Everyone experiences some type and level of it. But it’s 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. In the U.S., stress affects more than 100 million people. The leading causes? Money tops the list, followed by work, family and relationships. By one estimate, workplace-related stress alone costs society more than $300 billion per year.

To determine the cities where Americans cope best, WalletHub compared more than 180 cities across 37 key metrics. Our data set ranges from average weekly work hours to debt load to divorce and suicide rates. Read on for our findings, expert insight and a full description of our methodology.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/22759/geochart.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="https://ift.tt/2L0s8U2>  

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	Newark, NJ	63.98	1	5	1	45
2	Detroit, MI	63.86	24	4	4	1
3	Cleveland, OH	61.62	30	2	6	7
4	Birmingham, AL	58.37	109	6	3	4
5	Baltimore, MD	58.04	21	8	10	48
6	Toledo, OH	56.49	97	7	14	5
7	Milwaukee, WI	56.06	58	14	12	33
8	Wilmington, DE	55.88	7	30	33	28
9	Philadelphia, PA	54.83	11	18	70	30
10	Gulfport, MS	54.82	67	19	43	3
11	Jackson, MS	54.36	116	3	71	9
12	Shreveport, LA	54.10	32	31	37	22
13	North Las Vegas, NV	53.96	108	16	5	55
14	St. Louis, MO	53.41	28	27	50	17
15	Norfolk, VA	53.02	45	17	19	82
16	Chicago, IL	52.91	6	32	54	68
17	Columbus, GA	52.90	113	10	21	41
18	Houston, TX	52.88	3	118	13	84
19	Las Vegas, NV	52.63	55	39	9	70
20	Akron, OH	52.52	103	11	74	18
21	Richmond, VA	52.52	42	24	24	67
22	Memphis, TN	52.44	84	20	55	14
23	Baton Rouge, LA	52.07	22	62	27	35
24	New Orleans, LA	52.04	65	15	82	25
25	Montgomery, AL	51.90	115	1	109	27
26	Mobile, AL	51.73	75	12	101	13
27	Augusta, GA	51.68	159	9	29	36
28	Rochester, NY	51.53	73	64	16	39
29	Cincinnati, OH	51.47	31	36	64	8
30	Newport News, VA	51.18	40	34	31	71
31	Miami, FL	50.99	92	29	22	50
32	San Bernardino, CA	50.92	170	43	8	32
33	Bridgeport, CT	50.87	17	21	103	65
34	Dallas, TX	50.57	19	63	25	95
35	Charleston, WV	50.25	15	132	94	2
36	Washington, DC	49.94	5	119	7	101
37	Worcester, MA	49.78	59	74	20	47
38	Indianapolis, IN	49.72	26	22	139	31
39	Little Rock, AR	49.41	136	13	137	20
40	Fayetteville, NC	49.41	76	25	72	49
41	Atlanta, GA	49.27	41	28	56	102
42	Tulsa, OK	49.24	101	57	49	29
43	Las Cruces, NM	48.90	70	37	18	141
44	Huntington, WV	48.69	134	46	59	6
45	New Haven, CT	48.44	56	52	52	37
46	Stockton, CA	48.42	119	53	11	107
47	Columbia, SC	48.35	162	38	76	23
48	Buffalo, NY	48.11	61	96	79	15
49	El Paso, TX	48.05	96	98	2	120
50	New York, NY	47.89	8	122	35	116
51	Chattanooga, TN	47.73	163	42	75	24
52	Providence, RI	47.45	86	47	110	44
53	Fresno, CA	47.12	130	44	26	105
54	Tucson, AZ	47.09	168	45	15	98
55	Springfield, MO	47.02	114	51	131	16
56	Moreno Valley, CA	47.01	144	61	17	76
57	Jersey City, NJ	46.95	4	76	81	142
58	Tacoma, WA	46.85	18	128	62	53
59	Kansas City, MO	46.84	33	72	132	12
60	Phoenix, AZ	46.79	44	95	38	54
61	Los Angeles, CA	46.56	52	92	23	103
62	Albuquerque, NM	46.46	98	41	100	59
63	Hialeah, FL	46.38	141	40	67	60
64	Jacksonville, FL	46.08	129	26	98	62
65	Boston, MA	46.05	46	91	28	90
66	Tampa, FL	45.97	66	71	87	77
67	Arlington, TX	45.95	38	70	51	127
68	Fort Smith, AR	45.69	150	59	115	10
69	Louisville, KY	45.60	47	54	162	26
70	West Valley City, UT	45.50	178	35	32	79
71	Laredo, TX	45.43	88	125	41	61
72	Glendale, AZ	45.27	72	89	40	108
73	Sacramento, CA	45.16	107	69	29	147
74	Winston-Salem, NC	44.90	135	65	48	69
75	Knoxville, TN	44.86	165	50	130	34
76	Wichita, KS	44.64	87	84	128	51
77	Denver, CO	44.56	16	142	44	149
78	Nampa, ID	44.52	169	48	34	119
79	Bakersfield, CA	44.47	112	49	99	106
80	Dover, DE	44.42	128	33	102	170
81	Fort Worth, TX	44.32	81	73	90	100
82	Pittsburgh, PA	44.26	74	68	136	52
83	Aurora, IL	44.19	10	67	161	104
84	San Antonio, TX	44.15	94	120	73	80
85	Oklahoma City, OK	44.08	82	110	138	38
86	Orlando, FL	43.98	127	83	65	86
87	Columbus, OH	43.74	48	85	156	19
88	Spokane, WA	43.56	158	87	63	58
89	Fort Lauderdale, FL	43.50	83	56	150	63
90	Vancouver, WA	43.48	104	135	39	92
91	Long Beach, CA	43.15	105	82	57	139
92	Henderson, NV	42.93	106	60	97	132
93	Lubbock, TX	42.92	171	106	58	43
94	Oxnard, CA	42.75	29	115	92	153
95	Fort Wayne, IN	42.71	138	100	53	89
96	Chesapeake, VA	42.70	78	78	112	124
97	Ontario, CA	42.69	131	117	61	94
98	Garland, TX	42.67	90	97	95	96
99	Corpus Christi, TX	42.61	125	112	85	99
100	Brownsville, TX	42.53	164	80	86	66
101	Grand Prairie, TX	42.35	147	79	46	140
102	Yonkers, NY	42.33	14	151	107	123
103	Nashville, TN	42.26	79	126	123	75
104	Fontana, CA	42.23	123	107	91	78
105	Amarillo, TX	42.09	149	152	66	42
106	St. Petersburg, FL	42.06	176	101	120	21
107	Greensboro, NC	42.00	143	66	113	111
108	Salem, OR	41.93	182	99	45	46
109	Portland, OR	41.87	85	136	89	126
110	Anchorage, AK	41.86	13	160	148	85
111	Tallahassee, FL	41.81	180	23	125	110
112	Oakland, CA	41.78	80	134	36	158
113	Santa Ana, CA	41.68	126	103	96	109
114	Virginia Beach, VA	41.58	54	111	119	137
115	Minneapolis, MN	41.47	36	139	93	121
116	Reno, NV	41.44	179	124	60	64
117	Port St. Lucie, FL	41.42	153	58	126	114
118	Modesto, CA	41.38	139	116	88	81
119	Charlotte, NC	40.87	37	93	152	138
120	Salt Lake City, UT	40.80	156	55	135	128
121	Riverside, CA	40.54	173	114	80	83
122	San Diego, CA	40.52	53	121	78	177
123	Durham, NC	40.41	124	133	42	168
124	Columbia, MD	40.37	2	164	151	136
125	Oceanside, CA	40.33	49	86	133	164
126	Aurora, CO	40.29	99	145	84	117
127	Cheyenne, WY	40.28	25	158	153	87
128	Casper, WY	40.24	9	150	164	144
129	Santa Clarita, CA	40.22	39	75	145	157
130	San Francisco, CA	40.12	34	166	47	167
131	Manchester, NH	39.88	63	168	117	97
132	Irving, TX	39.84	133	113	105	131
133	Anaheim, CA	39.72	64	144	106	156
134	Honolulu, HI	39.67	23	149	129	162
135	Cape Coral, FL	39.58	118	109	134	143
136	Warwick, RI	39.57	35	157	163	72
137	Huntsville, AL	39.51	177	77	140	56
138	Colorado Springs, CO	39.51	167	130	68	134
139	Chula Vista, CA	39.50	68	108	83	175
140	Omaha, NE	39.29	91	88	172	93
141	Austin, TX	39.25	43	173	104	154
142	Garden Grove, CA	38.66	122	138	69	159
143	Lewiston, ME	38.49	151	80	144	130
144	Seattle, WA	38.46	60	172	77	135
145	Charleston, SC	38.27	102	127	154	122
146	Raleigh, NC	38.26	95	153	113	155
147	Des Moines, IA	37.99	145	123	155	113
148	Mesa, AZ	37.94	166	137	124	133
148	Tempe, AZ	37.94	175	94	122	146
150	Lexington-Fayette, KY	37.77	117	104	173	40
151	Grand Rapids, MI	37.70	157	148	147	91
152	Peoria, AZ	37.24	89	143	149	145
153	Santa Rosa, CA	36.46	100	162	108	176
154	Missoula, MT	36.26	152	90	174	74
155	Rapid City, SD	36.24	110	156	170	88
156	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	36.15	160	159	118	152
157	Glendale, CA	36.11	154	129	143	163
158	Juneau, AK	36.01	27	180	127	11
159	Billings, MT	35.92	137	140	176	57
160	Pembroke Pines, FL	35.76	93	154	166	148
161	St. Paul, MN	35.75	132	131	159	151
162	Nashua, NH	35.50	69	178	141	125
163	Huntington Beach, CA	35.25	62	171	121	169
164	Pearl City, HI	35.21	12	169	142	182
165	Cedar Rapids, IA	35.01	121	155	175	112
166	Portland, ME	34.97	148	102	169	118
167	Boise, ID	34.92	181	141	111	160
168	Gilbert, AZ	34.42	146	146	146	172
169	Chandler, AZ	33.91	120	163	157	165
170	Plano, TX	32.91	50	175	160	178
171	San Jose, CA	32.21	140	176	116	179
172	Madison, WI	31.48	161	170	165	150
173	Lincoln, NE	31.39	142	147	179	115
174	Fargo, ND	31.22	172	161	178	73
175	Irvine, CA	31.06	57	174	158	180
176	Burlington, VT	30.67	174	105	177	129
177	Scottsdale, AZ	30.60	154	167	168	171
178	Overland Park, KS	29.88	77	177	171	174
179	South Burlington, VT	29.49	20	179	181	161
180	Sioux Falls, SD	28.31	111	165	182	166
181	Bismarck, ND	26.61	51	181	180	173
182	Fremont, CA	26.44	71	182	167	181

*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:

1. How can employers reduce work-related stress?
2. What tips do you have for a person who finds managing finances to be stressful?
3. What tips do you have for a person who wishes to find relaxation on a budget?
4. What activities should families engage in together to minimize stress and ease tensions between family members?

< >

• Steve Jex Professor/Director of the Ph.D. Program in I/O Psychology, University of Central Florida, College of Sciences
• Courtney Keim Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Bellarmine University
• John K. Coffey II Assistant Professor of Psychology, Sewanee: The University of the South
• Miguel A. Suro Lawyer and Entrepreneur, The Rich Miser

Steve Jex Professor/Director of the Ph.D. Program in I/O Psychology, University of Central Florida, College of Sciences

How can employers reduce work-related stress?

There has been a great deal of research on the causes of work-related stress so there are actually a lot of things employers can do. I’ll focus on what I think are three of the most important. First, employers should try to find ways to give employees a sense of autonomy or control over their work. A lot of research suggests that people desire a sense of control or self-determination over many aspects of their lives, and this certainly carries over into the workplace. This can be accomplished by giving employees discretion over how they do their job, or in some cases how they schedule their work. Of course, this can’t be done for all jobs but employers should try to find these opportunities when possible. Secondly, employers should try to promote a sense of fairness or justice in the workplace. Research also has shown that employees desire to be treated fairly, particularly with respect to procedures used to determine things like promotions and salary increases. Therefore, to the extent that employers are fair and transparent with employees this goes a long way toward decreasing employees’ stress. Finally, employers should encourage their employees to have some balance in their lives. A lot or recent research suggests that people need time to recover from the demands of work, and one of the most effective ways of doing this is to detach during non-work time. This is often hard to do, especially with e-mail and text-messaging. However, there is evidence that employees are less stressed and more productive if they are able to truly get away from work and have some “down time” when they are not working.

What tips do you have for a person who finds managing finances to be stressful?

When people are facing any type of stressor, whether it’s at work or in their personal life, there is a natural tendency to avoid the stressor. This is called avoidance coping. The problem with avoidance coping, however, is that the cause of the stressful situation remains unchanged or may even get worse. Avoiding or putting off financial management tasks can cause a lot of problems and make one’s financial situation much worse, so probably the best way to decrease this type of stress is to face it head on make the time work on financial management tasks. Another thing many people do is hire a financial management professional. Sometimes managing one’s finances can be very complex and having the advice and assistance of someone trained in financial management can be very helpful.

What activities should families undertake together in order to minimize stress and alleviate tensions between family members?

I think one of the main things that causes tension over finances in families is a lack of clarity over future goals and priorities. As an example, early in our marriage my wife and agreed that one of our main financial priorities was to send both of our children to college and that drove many of future our saving and spending decisions. However, when family members differ on those financial goals and priorities, that can cause a lot of stress and tension within families. Families’ members should communicate frequently about their financial goals and priorities, and where disagreements exist, attempt to achieve some form of compromise. I think another source of tension over finances in many families is an overemphasis on material possessions, and feeling as though you have to spend money to have a good time. Finding enjoyment in simple things like watching a movie together, or going for a family walk in a park, sends the message that life is much more about the relationships you have with others than the amount of “stuff” you own. I’m not suggesting that money should be seen as bad or unimportant, but I think it should be viewed as less important than the relationships we have with others.

Courtney Keim Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Bellarmine University

How can employers reduce work-related stress?

I really appreciate that this question is asking what employers can do, rather than employees. Often we think of work-related stress as something that an employee is responsible for. For example, some organizations will offer meditation, stress management, or well-being classes. While these are all positive steps to support employees, they focus on the coping of stress after some stressful event has occurred. They do not address the reason why the stress occurred in the first place.

Fortunately, we have decades of research in areas like Industrial-Organizational and Occupational Health Psychology, as well as the American Psychological Association's Center for Workplace Excellence (of which I am affiliated), that tell us what are the predictors of work-related stress. These include:

• Lack of control and predictability - People like to have control over their lives and major events. We want the freedom to make our own choices. Organizations should allow employees to have a say in what they do and how they do it. They should also let employees have some control over their work schedules. Work-life flexibility is extremely important for employees to reduce the stress that can occur from handling competing demands from work and home life.
• Lack of clarity and variety in work tasks - We want to have choices and options in our lives and a clear sense of what is expected of us. Employees will perceive less work-related stress if they know what is expected of them, receive feedback on how they are doing, and have variety in their work tasks, roles, or routines. They should feel their input matters.
• Lack of skills use and clear goals - People enjoy being able to use their skills or learn new skills. Organizations can help increase employee well-being by establishing employee development and training programs that have clear goals and allow employees to utilize their talents and acquire new skills.
• Relationship building and social value - We are social creatures. We enjoy positive relationships with others and we value being held in esteem from our colleagues. Organizations should aim to tie in every employee's work tasks into the larger organizational mission so that their work is valued. Employee Recognition is crucial to psychological health and well-being, whether it is formal (e.g., employee of the month) or informal (praise from a supervisor). Organizations should recognize employees' efforts and hard work and make sure they see their part in the overall mission of the organization.
• Health, safety, and security - People need a sense of security and safety to have high amounts of psychological health. Organizations should ensure employees are physically safe (e.g., meeting OSHA requirements), physically healthy (e.g., company gym or well-being events), and psychologically secure (e.g., job security, mental health programs).li>

John K. Coffey II Assistant Professor of Psychology, Sewanee: The University of the South

How can employers reduce work-related stress?

Three big things:

1. Create family-friendly workplaces can do a lot. Employees worried about family members (their children, parents) can create a lot of stress.
2. Actively encourage employees to take time off and to recharge. In America, we often fear that time off makes us look lazy or we will fall behind, but in reality, it can allow us to be much more effective and productive in the times that we do work (without exhaustion and bitter feelings). Research finds that people can often get as much done and of equal quality in much less time when they have good balance.
3. Manage in a supportive way rather than a controlling and competitive way. Research finds that these three things can have trickle-down benefits or hidden benefits that are overlooked in basic economic models. They decrease stress and increase employee satisfaction and loyalty that translates to (cost saving) benefits for the company (less turnover, better quality employees, healthier employees).

What tips do you have for a person who finds managing finances to be stressful?

One of the most important things is to create a detailed budget. People can be budget adverse, but it does reduce stress. Using an app can also help to manage this on a daily basis. People think that a raise will solve their finances problems, but they adapt to the new income and are back in the same spot unless they budget. Also, avoid upgrading things that don't need to be upgraded. For example, updating a cellphone or television when the current one still does all that you need. Research suggests these materialistic purchases can lead to financial strain (debt) and buyer’s remorse that prevents people from doing other things (e.g., going on vacation). They also do not make us happy for very long (everyone else gets the phone, or a newer model comes out), whereas spending on experiences (e.g., vacations) can be much more effective.

What tips do you have for a person that wishes to relax on a budget?

Relaxing on a budget is doable if you are maintaining a budget and planning for it in a variety of ways. Realize there are many free or budget-friendly ways to relax. Socializing and good relationships are some of the biggest keys to happiness and you can do those quite inexpensively (e.g., have friends over for dinner or drinks). Additionally, going for a run or hike (with friends) is also good for health. Create categories in your budget for things that help to relax so you can do them without impulse and remorse as long as you stick to your budget. We have categories for eating out, fun (e.g., concerts, movies), travel, health (e.g., massage) and more. We also do research to look for coupons (e.g., Groupon) and dates that are less expensive to travel. Remember, there are many things that are relaxing that don't cost anything. For example, a brisk walk can be as relaxing as a massage.

What activities should families undertake together in order to minimize stress and alleviate tensions between family members?

Families should work to create some routines and traditions (e.g., weekly dinner nights, movie nights). They should also have unplugged time where they actively interact with each other (e.g., game nights, going to the park). These can build communication skills and family connections. All families experience tension, but avoiding them can make it worse. However, you also want to avoid overreacting to isolated instances. When tension is detected, talk through things and allow each person to explain their thinking before making decisions. Parents should still be in charge, but it can help to explain certain expectations (we do not use devices at the table so that we can have a time when we can catch up on what happened that day). When picking out experiences, avoid aiming for peak experiences (e.g., a birthday party pulling out all the stops and worrying about all the details). Although these can be really fun, they are also more costly, overstimulating, and exhausting. It can also create competition or a desire to beat the prior experience. A simplified version with a little less stress can be just as fun and less exhausting and stressful. These can also keep the focus on the friends and family (not the flair). Finally, avoid over scheduling. These things will help to prevent current and future stress.

Miguel A. Suro Lawyer and Entrepreneur, The Rich Miser

How can employers reduce work-related stress?

The first step would be to reduce the stress at its source. While some stress is inevitable, employers can start to create a lower-stress work environment by being better supervisors.

For example, if you’re an employer, be fair to your employees. I’ve been both the supervisor and the supervised, and I find arbitrariness and emotionally-driven decision-making to be very demoralizing to employees. Being clear and consistent goes a long way.

As an employee, I never had a problem with a demanding boss. However, I was unhappy with bosses that were emotionally volatile (and showed it), or highly indecisive (after all, a leader has to lead).

Another tip is to respect boundaries. Technology has led to the ability to e-mail employees at all hours; and, sometimes, emergencies come up and a quick response is necessary. But, when something can wait, don’t e-mail an employee at 9:00 PM. Just delay until the next morning, or, if you can, send a delayed-delivery e-mail.

Also, I’m a big believer in task-based work insofar as possible. By that I mean assigning tasks to employees and not micromanaging their time as long as they complete the tasks by their deadlines. People work in different ways, and can be more efficient if you allow them to find their “rhythm” in their own way.

In terms of the office environment, windows and plants can help “bring the outside in” and make the environment feel less artificial. I’ve also been in offices where light classical music is streaming in the background. Perhaps you can set this up in some common areas where employees congregate, to lighten the mood and promote a relaxing environment.

Finally, providing free water, coffee, and even light and healthy snacks can make employees feel appreciated and valued. It also reduces the time that they might otherwise spend going out to buy these necessities.

What tips do you have for a person who finds managing finances to be stressful?

Begin by thinking of the fact that successfully managing your finances will, over the long run, put your mind at ease since you won’t have to worry about money so much. Like going to the doctor, you may have a little discomfort, but you’ll have a better future because of it.

Second, don’t think that the end result is that you’ll have to deprive yourself of the things you like. Take a walk around your house and look at all the stuff in it; open some closets and drawers. How much of that stuff do you regularly use, and how much is just clutter? If you could return all that clutter to the store right now and get your money back, how much better would your financial life be? Would you really feel deprived by not having it anymore?

Think that by managing your finances better, one result will be that you won’t have as much clutter; instead, you’ll have more money.

Finally, start small. Take a Post-It note or the notes app on your phone and track your expenses for a day. Just that small step will increase your awareness of your spending, and help you cut out unnecessary expenses. For example, maybe you realize you’re going to the vending machine every day, and could easily save money by buying your snacks in bulk and bringing them in from home.

What tips do you have for a person that wishes to relax on a budget?

Start by taking a walk! It’s free, and will get you out of the house and help distract your mind (but please try not to use your phone). If possible, walk in nature; a lot of people are finding that so-called “forest bathing” helps improve their mood.

I personally also like mindfulness and meditation, though I’m no guru and use a guided meditation app. It helps me gain perspective by realizing that my problems and worries are temporary, and don’t have to take over my life. They will pass, just like everything else.

Another good tip is to try sports that require you to concentrate. I like activities such as bike riding, since I have to pay attention to what I’m doing so that I don’t fall. This forces me to take my mind off everything else, resulting in a good mental “reset”. If you don’t have a bike, you can even go to your neighborhood basketball court – anything will do, as long as you have to focus on what you’re doing.

Also, take advantage of your city. If you live near the beach, take a barefoot walk on the sand. If you’re near the mountains, pack a snack and hit a trail!

What activities should families undertake together in order to minimize stress and alleviate tensions between family members?

I believe that activities that cultivate a shared sense of achievement are great for minimizing stress and reducing tensions between family members.

For example, sports like skiing, rafting, ice skating, or bowling are great because everyone can improve together, both individually and as part of a team. When families do them together, everyone will come away with shared experiences and stories. Rather than mom, dad, or the kids thinking “this is my thing”, everyone can think “this is our thing”.

The whole family can say “we took on the mountain together”, or “we improved our bowling score together”.

If not sports, you can try board games or family-oriented video games. The family will spend time together, and have conversation topics even after the activity is over.

For the introverts, activities like laser tag or obstacle courses can provide much-needed bonding without awkward silences, and create conversation topics for later. You can also try projects and chores together, such as gardening, landscaping, and car washing.

There’s also the time-tested family dinner, which can help everyone get to know each other better, and go through life’s ups and downs together. If everyone contributes to the meal prep, even better.

Really, anything that involves striving towards common goals or just spending time talking to each other (rather than staring at a screen) can help families bond, and reduce stress and tension. The goal is to do things that make a family feel like a family, instead of just people that happen to live together.

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 37 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.

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 (~3.33 Points)
• Job Security: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Traffic Congestion: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)Note: This metric measures the annual hours spent in congestion per auto commuter.
• Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)
• Average Commute Time (in Minutes): Half Weight (~1.67 Points)
• Income Growth: Full Weight (~3.33 Points)Note: “Growth” compares income levels in 2016 versus in 2015.
• Job Satisfaction Ranking: Full Weight (~3.33 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

• Share of Adults in Fair or Poor Health: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Share of Adults Diagnosed with Depression: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Mental Health: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Suicide Rate: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Share of Insured Population: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Share of Adult Binge Drinkers: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion.
• Share of Adult Smokers: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Physical-Activity Rate: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Share of Obese Residents: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Share of Adults with Inadequate Sleep: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults sleeping fewer than seven hours per night.
• Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Crime Rate: Full Weight (~1.92 Points)
• Hate-Crime Incidents per Capita: Full Weight (~1.92 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 Ranking, 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 and Sharecare.

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