Americans among most stressed people worldwide
According to Gallup’s annual Global Emotions Report, Americans are some of the most stressed out people in the entire world
As Americans continue to grapple with high levels of stress driven by financial pressures, health concerns and public safety issues, new data is ranking the most stressed cities in the United States
To identify where residents are under the greatest pressure, financial data company WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities across 39 metrics grouped into four categories: work stress, financial stress, family stress and health and safety stress
WalletHub’s data set ranged from average weekly work hours to the unemployment rate to divorce and suicide rates
Detroit ranks as most stressed
Detroit, Michigan earned the top spot as the nation’s most stressed city, driven largely by economic hardship. According to the report, the city had the nation’s highest unemployment rate at 10.4% and the lowest cost-of-living-adjusted median household income, at just under $40,000
Detroit also has the highest poverty rate in the country at 32.7%, while residents had a median credit score of 618, placing many in the bad-credit range
Detroit ranked America’s most stressed city, due to high unemployment, poverty, low incomes, crime, and family and health challenges. (Credit:
Family-related challenges also contributed to the ranking. Detroit had the nation’s second-highest separation and divorce rate and one of the highest shares of single-parent households. Health concerns, including the fifth-highest obesity rate and low levels of physical activity, added to residents’ stress. Safety was another big stressor, with Detroit having one of the highest violent crime rates in the country
Baltimore and Cleveland follow
Dig deeper:
Baltimore, Maryland and Cleveland Ohio followed Detroit’s ranking.
Baltimore ranked second, with housing affordability emerging as a major factor. WalletHub found that the average annual rent for a two-bedroom apartment consumed nearly 38% of the city’s median household income, the third-highest share nationwide. Homeowners also faced financial strain, with Baltimore recording the fourth-highest share of seriously underwater mortgages. Crime also heavily contributed
Meanwhile, Cleveland ranked third, with financial instability playing a significant role. The city had one of the nation’s lowest cost-of-living-adjusted median household incomes, at less than $44,000, along with the fourth-highest share of households that fell behind on bills over the past year. It also ranks second nationally in both foreclosure rate and poverty rate
What they’re saying:
“Some stress is out of our control, due to issues with family, friends or employers. However, where you live can play a big role in how stressed you are,” Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said in a statement. “Cities with high crime rates, weak economies, less effective public health and congested transportation systems naturally lead to elevated stress levels for residents. When moving, it’s important to consider how a certain city may impact your mental health – not just your financial opportunities.”
Most stressed cities in America
- Detroit, Michigan
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Shreveport, Louisiana
- Gulfport, Mississippi
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Akron, Ohio
- St. Louis, Missouri
See the full report here
Stress intensities for Americans
Big picture view:
While stress is a normal part of life, WalletHub said the past several years have intensified anxiety for many, with nearly seven in 10 Americans saying they have avoided discussing their mental health because they worry about burdening others.
RELATED:These states rank as the most stressed places in America in 2026, data suggests
The effects extend beyond personal well-being, with financial stress alone estimated to cost U.S. employers about $250 billion annually
Theis story was reported from Los Angeles.
LifestyleMental HealthU.S.
