Jacksonville has been identified as the most stressed city in Florida and ranks 37th among the most stressful cities nationwide, according to WalletHub's annual ranking released this month after assessing 182 U.S. cities.
The analysis considered four equally weighted dimensions: workplace stress, financial stress, family stress, and health and safety stress, using a total of 39 metrics.
Jacksonville received a score of 48.77 out of 100—where a higher score indicates greater stress—with its worst results in health and safety (36th nationally) and financial stress (39th).
A major concern is job security: Jacksonville ranks among the five cities with the least job stability nationwide, posing a constant source of worry for its residents.
This outcome isn't entirely unexpected. A previous WalletHub study from February 2025 had already placed Jacksonville third nationally among cities with the highest number of residents facing financial hardship, with nearly 16% of its population having overdue accounts.
Florida has several cities in the top half of the national ranking, indicating they are among the most stressful in the country.
Following Jacksonville are Miami (ranked 50th with 46.87 points), Hialeah (54th with 46.39), Port St. Lucie (67th with 45.44), and Tampa (73rd with 44.87).
They are followed by Cape Coral (77th), Fort Lauderdale (83rd), Tallahassee (84th), St. Petersburg (91st), and Orlando (97th).
Pembroke Pines stands as the city with the lowest stress level in the state according to the study, ranking 117th nationally with 41.24 points.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo highlighted the impact of one's residence on mental well-being: "Cities with high crime rates, weak economies, less effective public health systems, and congested transportation naturally generate elevated stress levels for their residents. When relocating, it’s crucial to consider how a particular city might affect your mental health, not just your financial opportunities."
Nationally, Detroit leads the list as the most stressful city in the U.S., scoring 62.78.
The Michigan city reports the highest unemployment rate in the country—10.4%—the lowest median household income adjusted for cost of living—less than $40,000—and the highest poverty rate, at 32.7%.
Baltimore, Maryland, takes the second spot (59.73 points), where the average annual rent for a two-bedroom apartment accounts for nearly 38% of the median household income.
Meanwhile, Cleveland, Ohio, ranks third (59.35 points) with the highest separation and divorce rate in the country—almost 41%—and 45% of its adults sleeping less than seven hours per night.
At the other end of the spectrum, Fremont, California, is the least stressful city in the entire country, scoring just 26.16 points, followed by South Burlington, Vermont (26.22), and Bismarck, North Dakota (29.17).
Understanding Stress Levels in U.S. Cities
How was the stress level in cities measured by WalletHub?
WalletHub's study assessed stress levels based on four key dimensions: workplace stress, financial stress, family stress, and health and safety stress, using a total of 39 metrics to determine the scores.
Why is job security a significant concern in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville ranks among the five cities with the lowest job stability nationwide, contributing significantly to the stress levels of its residents by creating uncertainty and financial instability.
Which city is the least stressful in the United States?
Fremont, California, is considered the least stressful city in the U.S., scoring just 26.16 points in WalletHub's analysis.