According to a recent study by WalletHub, Cleveland, Ohio, has been identified as the most stressed city in the United States. The study examined more than 180 cities, taking into account various factors including unemployment rates, household income, health statistics, and divorce rates.
Cleveland has been ranked as the city with the highest level of financial stress, followed closely by health and safety stress in second place, and family stress in third place.
The city has a population of approximately 360,000, with a demographic that includes a significant percentage of Black or African-American residents (48%) and White residents (40%). Cleveland also has a high poverty rate, second only to Detroit, Michigan, and a significant divorce rate.
According to the study, residents of Cleveland experience significant sleep deprivation, as the city ranks second in terms of the fewest hours of sleep per night, right after Detroit.
Recent acts of violence, including a mass shooting that left 12 people injured, have only added to the already heightened stress levels in the city. Mayor Justin Bibb has raised concerns about the ongoing occurrence of such incidents unless there are substantial changes at the state level.
Additional cities that rank high on the stress list are Detroit, Michigan; Baltimore, Maryland; Birmingham, Alabama; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These cities also demonstrate significant levels of work, financial, health, and family stress.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, you’ll find the least stressed cities in the US, such as South Burlington, Vermont; Fremont, California; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. South Burlington is considered the least stressed city, thanks to its low unemployment rate and high average household income.
This study brings attention to the significant variations in stress levels among different American cities. Cleveland stands out as the city most impacted by financial, health, and family stress factors.