Time for everyone to practice some woosah breathing.
That report evaluated more than 180 cities across almost 40 key factors, with money, health and the economy determined among the most likely culprits. The results? Both Houston and San Antonio led Texas as the most stressed-out communities in the Lone Star State and among the worst nationally.
Houston ranked No. 13 among America’s most overwhelmed cities, specifically scoring high for safety stressors (No. 8), work stress (No. 11) and family-related issues (No. 11). Over in the Alamo City, San Antonio clipped into the Top 25 at No. 20, with its major stress factors related to family stressors and health and safety concerns (both ranked at No. 17).
How did Texas’ capital fare? Perhaps the capital metro’s “Keep Austin Weird” philosophy helps keep the vibes more chill in town, because Austin ranked No. 126 out of 182 cities analyzed — making it among the lesser-stressed American hubs. The less likely stress factors? In Austin, financial stress ranked low on the list at No. 163, while health and safety issues ranked at No. 125. The most stressful issues in Austin centered around work-related problems, with Austin coming in at No. 54 for that individual factor.
“Cities with high crime rates, weak economies, less effective public health and congested transportation systems naturally lead to elevated stress levels for residents,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report. “When moving, it’s important to consider how a certain city may impact your mental health – not just your financial opportunities.”
So, which American cities have the worst stress levels? Here’s the Top 10 nationally: