The effects of prolonged stress are so harmful to the human body that physicians often refer to it as a silent killer. Recent studies show that constant stress can take as much as 10 years off a person’s life, increasing their chances for a number of ailments, ranging from depression to heart disease. But it’s not just specific circumstances that get our hearts pounding. Our environment itself plays a role. So if you’re someone who’s already anxiety-prone, take a deep breath, draw a bath, and avoid these cities.
The Top 10 Most Stressed Out Cities, According to WalletHub.com
10. Montgomery, AL
9. Newark, NJ
8. New Orleans, LA
7. Columbus, OH
6. Shreveport, LA
5. Cleveland, OH
4. Memphis, TN
3. Birmingham, AL
2. Mobile, AL
1. Detroit, MI
Methodology
To determine the most stressed out cities in America, WalletHub compared four types of stress (work, money, family and health/safety), as well as coping mechanisms across the 150 most populated cities in the U.S. The researchers looked at factors like work hours; commute times; unemployment, poverty and bankruptcy rates; crime statistics; suicide; and the number of psychologists per capita.
Given the dire economic situation, it’s no surprise that Detroit came in at No. 1. Once the epicenter of a thriving auto industry, Detroit now has the country’s highest poverty rates, its third highest divorce rate and the lowest credit scores. That would stress anyone out.
Where does one go to escape the worry?
California!
Despite a lack of housing affordability and unbearable commute times, the Golden State performed swimmingly on the stress factor scale. Of the 10 least stressed out cities, half were in California.
The 10 Least Stressed Out Cities, According to WalletHub.com
10. San Diego, CA
9. Sioux Falls, SD
8. Overland Park, KS
7. Plano, TX
6. San Francisco, CA
5. San Jose, CA
4. Madison, WI
3. Honolulu, HI
2. Irvine, CA
1. Fremont, CA
Thank goodness for all those psychologists.
Read more about the most and least stressed out cities in America and see a full list here.
Image Credit: Flickr User 130855607@N05, https://flic.kr/p/qC8P1f via (CC BY 2.0)