Lincoln, Neb., is the 5th-least 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.”
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In-Depth Look at Lincoln
Lincoln handles top stressors better than most other cities, but there are still some notable areas where residents struggle. For example, the city has the ninth-highest rate of binge drinking among adults. It also has the 39th-highest share of seriously underwater mortgages.
Lincoln does much better in other areas. The city has the second-most childcare workers per capita in the country, easing the pressure on parents. In addition, it has the 12th-lowest share of adults getting inadequate sleep.
How Lincoln Ranks in Key Categories
- 176th for Work Stress
- 135th for Financial Stress 1
- 79th for Family Stress 1
- 55th for Health & Safety Stress
Overall, Lincoln ranks as the fifth-least 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.
