This City Was Just Named Least Stressed in the U.S.

Chronic stress is on the rise across America, with many people citing money and the economy as top contributing factors. According to the American Psychological Association, high levels of stress can lead to health issues, such as heart disease, weight gain, and stroke. And where you live can significantly affect how stressed you are daily.

WalletHub compared 182 urban areas across the U.S. to determine the country’s most and least stressed communities. It analyzed data on 39 metrics, such as traffic, unemployment, suicide rates, poverty, and obesity. Fremont, California, a city in San Francisco’s Bay area, ranked among the least stressful cities.

Fremont, which is also one of the best family-friendly cities thanks to its top-notch schools and parks, had the lowest overall stress score, along with the lowest health and safety stress rates and the second-lowest financial stress rank on the list. The Alameda County city also has some of the lowest divorce and poverty rates. Meanwhile, its residents have the highest median credit score.

“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,” Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst, said.

Earlier this year, WalletHub named Fremont the best city to raise a family, as well as the happiest city in America highlighting its high median household incomes and the large number of families with children under 18. Fremont also has the fifth-most parkland area per capita, according to WalletHub, which contributes to its residents’ overall physical and mental health. Additionally, the city earned an A rating from Niche.com.

Vermont’s South Burlington is second on the list of the least stressed cities in America, and Fargo in North Dakota is third.

In contrast, if you are already stressed, you may want to avoid Cleveland, Detroit, and Baltimore, the top three most stressed cities in America, largely because of low median household incomes or expensive rent.

And speaking of affordability, New York City; Los Angeles; and Glendale, California, ranked the least affordable cities for housing, while on the other end of the spectrum were Cedar Rapids in Iowa, Akron in Ohio (which is also a great place to retire), and Des Moines, Iowa. Those who are most stressed about job security should consider relocating to Charleston and staying away from Vancouver, Washington.

You can see the full report on wallethub.com.