Buffalo, N.Y., is the 65th-most stressed city in America, according to a new WalletHub study that compared more than 180 cities across 39 key metrics, ranging from average weekly work hours to unemployment, divorce and suicide rates.
Recent years have proven particularly stressful for Americans across the country, with the greatest stressors being work concerns, personal finances, inflation, health issues, and the nation's political climate. Stress isn't just harmful to individuals, either. Financial stress alone costs U.S. employers roughly $1.1 trillion in lost productivity each year.
“Where you live can play a big role in how stressed you are,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “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.”
People are also reading…
In-Depth Look at Buffalo
Buffalo residents experience quite a bit of stress day-to-day, and some of the key stressors are finance-related. For example, the city has the fifth-highest poverty rate in the country, and it also has the sixth-highest share of households where no adults work.
Buffalo does have some upsides, too. It has the eighth-shortest average work week in the country, giving people more time to relax at home. In addition, it has the 13th-highest share of residents with health insurance.
How Buffalo Ranks in Key Categories
- 78th for Work Stress
- 95th for Financial Stress
- 49th for Family Stress
- 74th for Health & Safety Stress
Overall, Buffalo ranks as the 65th-most stressed city out of the 182 included in WalletHub's study.
Most & Least Stressed Cities in America
Overall Rank | City | Total Score | Work Stress Rank | Financial Stress Rank | Family Stress Rank | Health & Safety Stress Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Detroit, MI | 62.783 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
2 | Baltimore, MD | 59.732 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 31 |
3 | Cleveland, OH | 59.353 | 111 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
4 | Memphis, TN | 59.236 | 63 | 7 | 5 | 1 |
5 | Shreveport, LA | 57.745 | 99 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
6 | Gulfport, MS | 56.899 | 156 | 17 | 1 | 7 |
7 | Philadelphia, PA | 56.609 | 5 | 9 | 33 | 26 |
8 | Jackson, MS | 56.028 | 39 | 6 | 37 | 10 |
9 | Akron, OH | 55.143 | 35 | 18 | 9 | 22 |
10 | St. Louis, MO | 54.598 | 24 | 8 | 67 | 13 |
The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.
