The surprising link between political strategy and health policies
Stress is a natural human response to pressure, which can affect both our mental and physical health. Long work commutes, high crime rates, and unemployment are just some of the factors that affect stress, and these can be found in many cities across the US.
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, Americans are now also dealing with constant concerns about inflation and violent crime. Insider Monkey analyzed work stress, financial stress, family stress, and health and safety stress factors, and ranked each city based on a combination of these factors.
Click on to discover which US cities are dealing with the most crippling amounts of stress.
With some of the worst traffic congestion in the country, Atlanta's heavy traffic is one of the major stressors for its residents.
A Texan metropolis, Dallas's biggest stress factors are the long working hours, as well as crime and housing costs.
Brutal winters aren't the only thing raising Chicago residents' stress levels. The Windy City has a high divorce rate, coupled with an elevated poverty rate.
Although Washington, D.C. offers plenty of jobs, the capital's long commutes and long working hours are the biggest culprits for stress.
Indianapolis, Indiana, deals with significant stress and mental health challenges. Workforce stress is also worsened by limited access to care due to limited access to transportation and internet access.
Columbus, Georgia stands among the most stressed cities in the US due to financial pressures related to transportation and housing.
With nearly four of 10 residents facing stress-related issues, people in Mobile experience significant stress from their work environment and economic pressures.
The most populous city in New Jersey, a significant portion of Newark's population faces stress due to factors like work hours, job security, and unemployment rates.
With approximately 50.53% of Cincinnati's population experiencing stress, contributing factors include work hours, job security, traffic congestion, and unemployment rates.
In Shreveport, Louisiana, many residents experience high stress levels, mainly due to work-related factors like long hours and financial pressure.
Montgomery faces significant stress with mental health and finances. Financial struggles are prevalent, marked by low-income levels, high debt, and elevated poverty rates.
Houston faces stress due to factors such as a high percentage of single-income families, below-average income growth, and long commutes.
Stress factors in Wilmington include economic pressures, job-related stress, social disparities, crime rates, and healthcare access.
Located in northeastern Ohio, about 40% of households in Akron struggle to afford basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare, contributing to financial stress.
Common stressors in Fayetteville include household income, bill payments, debt-to-earnings ratio, and median credit scores.
In San Bernardino, stress is high, with factors such as average weekly work hours and underemployment contributing to its levels.
While San Antonio has a low cost of living, its high property crime rate is a major stressor. These include burglary, motor vehicle theft, shoplifting, and vandalism.
Considering factors such as commute times, length of the average workweek, single-income families, and lack of health insurance, Las Vegas is one of the most stressful cities in the nation.
Money-related stress in Jackson is prevalent due to high poverty rates, high unemployment, and financial instability.
Augusta faces significant financial stress, with nearly one in four residents below the poverty line. The city has also experienced one of the lowest median household income changes in the US over four years.
Stress in Toledo is largely attributed to high poverty rates, unemployment, housing struggles, and food insecurity.
St. Louis ranks ninth for overall stress levels in work, debt-to-income ratio, and health-related issues.
Located in north central Alabama, Birmingham struggles with high poverty rates, low credit scores, and a high divorce rate. Work stress is influenced by long work hours and job insecurity.
Nicknamed the "Big Easy," the city's high poverty and unemployment rates don't make it that easy to live there.
Memphis ranks high in stress, with work, financial, and family concerns impacting well-being. Crime rates are also a major contributor to stress.
The sixth most populous city in the nation, stress affects a significant portion of Philly's population, with high rates of diagnosed depressive disorders and reports of mental stress.
A significant agricultural hub located in California's Central Valley, major stressors include long working hours and the increasing crime rate, with 1,163 criminal incidents per 100,000 residents reported annually.
Approximately 83% of Baltimore's residents feel stressed about violence and crime. Additional stress factors include work, finance, and health.
Detroit ranks as the second most stressed city in the US due to high levels of stress related to money, work, family, and health. Detroit faces economic challenges, with over 30% of its population living below the poverty line.
Cleveland ranks first among the most stressed cities in the US, with common stressors including high poverty rates, health concerns, and job insecurity.
Sources: (Yahoo Finance) (Insider Monkey) (Study Finds)
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Stress is a natural human response to pressure, which can affect both our mental and physical health. Long work commutes, high crime rates, and unemployment are just some of the factors that affect stress, and these can be found in many cities across the US.
Even with the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror, Americans are now also dealing with constant concerns about inflation and violent crime. Insider Monkey analyzed work stress, financial stress, family stress, and health and safety stress factors, and ranked each city based on a combination of these factors.
Click on to discover which US cities are dealing with the most crippling amounts of stress.