15 Most Stressful Cities in the US

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A big city usually guarantees excitement, opportunity, and never-ending entertainment. However, with all the hustle and bustle, some cities come at a price of high stress levels for their residents. Traffic congestion, cost of living, work pressures, and even weather can add daily strain to factors like these, as some urban areas are more anxiety-provoking than others.

In this article, we’ll see 15 cities in the U.S. famous for being stressful. Every city features some form of crowded streets and rising housing prices — problems that add to the daily stress experienced by each city’s residents.

New York City, New York

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Famous for being a fast-paced city, The Big Apple also brings a mountain of stress with that speed. The crowds on subways, traffic jams, and the famously expensive cost of living can be taxing. Then, add the constant noise and the pressure of living in a city that never sleeps, and it’s easy to see why so many New Yorkers struggle to wind down.

Los Angeles, California

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Sure, the City of Angels may have sunshine and glamour, but under that glitz is something else. It is legendary that LA’s traffic can turn short trips into hours-long ordeals. Boasting sky-high housing prices and a competitive job market, life here is as stressful as it is sunny.

Chicago, Illinois

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The Windy City has its charms, but so does it have stress. The anxiety of living here stems from harsh winters, a bustling downtown, and rising crime rates. Keeping up with the cost of living and commuting can also be a full-time ordeal.

Miami, Florida

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Miami is famous for its beaches and nightlife but is also a hotbed of stress. The city’s rising cost of living and unpredictable weather (hurricanes) just add to the pressure. The fast-paced lifestyle and high levels of tourism don’t make it easy for residents to find a moment of peace.

San Francisco, California

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Thanks to the tech boom, San Francisco has become an expensive place to live. The competition for jobs in the tech sector is fierce, and housing prices are sky-high. The city’s infamous hills and unpredictable weather don’t help.

Houston, Texas

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Houston is a major center for business and industry, yet it’s infamous for its relentless traffic and extreme weather. Heavy rains and hurricanes often lead to flooding, adding to the stress of living in such a sprawling urban environment.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Living in the City of Brotherly Love can be tough. Residents are affected by long commutes, fluctuating crime rates, and economic challenges. The city is rich in history and culture, yet many find life in Philly to be an exhausting grind.

Seattle, Washington

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Seattle is beautiful, but its population is stressed. In recent years, the cost of living has skyrocketed, and the infamous gray, rainy weather can be hard on mental health. With a competitive job market, Seattleites are always juggling work and life balance.

Washington, D.C.

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Living in the nation’s capital is also stressful. The tension comes from the high-pressure government jobs and the never-ending flow of political news. It’s an expensive place to live, and the city’s confusing transit system makes one more thing to worry about daily.

Boston, Massachusetts

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Modern life in the city itself hides Boston’s historical charm. Life is tough because of harsh winters, expensive housing, and traffic congestion. Adding additional pressure for residents is that the competitive job market is particularly tight—especially in fields such as education and healthcare.

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Atlanta, Georgia

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Atlanta has grown quickly, stressing its residents. A typical complaint is traffic congestion, urban sprawl, and expensive housing. The city’s unreliable weather and humidity can also be part of the daily grind, so you don’t have much time to relax.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas Nevada
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Living in Sin City is not all fun and games, as the bright lights and 24-hour entertainment will tell you. Residents say the tourism industry is exhausting, and the extreme desert heat doesn’t help. The city’s transient nature also makes it hard to create a stable, stress-free life.

Phoenix, Arizona

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The heat and growing population in Phoenix have created higher stress levels. For many residents, life here is a struggle against traffic congestion, a rising cost of living, and the constant battle against the heat.

San Diego, California

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Sure, San Diego is laid back, but so are stressors. Residents feel the pinch of a high cost of living, congestion, and an aggressive job market in biotech and defense. Although the weather is beautiful, stress is a common companion to many San Diegans.

Portland, Oregon

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Are you aware of Portland’s quirky charm, which hides the stress of rising living costs and traffic issues? The city’s rapid growth has taxed its infrastructure, pushing people’s daily commutes to stressful places. The long gray winters, too, can affect people’s mental well-being, further adding to the stress already experienced.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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