Find a Job You Really Want In
-
The most stressed state in the U.S. is Florida, with a high uninsured rate of 13% and an unemployment rate of 3%.
-
The least stressed state in the U.S. is Iowa, with a low uninsured rate of only 4% and an average commute time of 19 minutes.
-
U.S. workers with long commutes are 12% more likely to report feeling stressed at work.
-
As of 2023, 82% of Americans report feeling stressed on a weekly basis.
As the work week comes to an end, you might find yourself immersed in a mountain of tasks that need to be completed before Monday rolls around again. This is the reality of adult life, but at least there’s comfort in takeout and a moment to unwind!
But are most Americans pulling late nights after college, or are they stuck in traffic for hours daily just to reach the office? In reality, many are still grappling with job market challenges and balancing work-life pressures.
Zippia has compiled a fresh analysis of the top 10 most stressed states in the U.S. Which states are plagued by long commutes, high unemployment, exorbitant housing costs, and demanding job hours?
Read on for an in-depth exploration of the top 10 most stressed states. If your state isn’t listed, scroll down to find its ranking.
How We Determined How Stressed Out Your State Is
To gauge the stress levels across states, we identified six key criteria reflecting anxiety levels:
- Average commute times
- Unemployment rates
- Average hours worked
- Population density
- Home price to income ratio
- Percentage of uninsured population
The higher any of these metrics, the more stressed the state’s residents tend to be. Our data is sourced from the U.S. Census’ American Community Survey for 2022, providing an updated perspective. States were ranked from 1 to 50 (with 1 being the most stressed and 50 the least) based on each criterion.
These rankings were then averaged to create a composite stress score, where lower scores indicate higher stress levels.
Let’s dive into the top 10 most stressed states before we wrap up with a complete ranking of all 50 states.
1. Florida
- Average Commute (Minutes): 27.4
- Unemployment Rate: 3%
- Hours Worked: 38.9
Florida, known for its sunny beaches and retiree-friendly atmosphere, faces significant stressors. With a large number of residents lacking health insurance and the state ranking high in uninsured populations, many Floridians find themselves stressed about potential medical emergencies.
2. New Jersey
- Average Commute (Minutes): 31.7
- Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
- Hours Worked: 38.7
New Jersey ranks as the second most stressed state, characterized by long work hours, extensive commute times, and high housing costs. With its dense population, finding solace can be a challenge.
3. Texas
- Average Commute (Minutes): 26.4
- Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
- Hours Worked: 40
Texans work longer hours than many other states, and with the risk of accidents on long commutes, the stress multiplies. Texas has one of the highest uninsured rates at 17%, adding to residents’ anxiety over potential healthcare costs.
4. California
- Average Commute (Minutes): 29.3
- Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
- Hours Worked: 38.3
California’s vibrant economy is overshadowed by its high cost of living, making it difficult for residents to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. With a high home price-to-income ratio, many Californians find their income consumed by housing costs, leading to increased stress levels.
5. Maryland
- Average Commute (Minutes): 32.9
- Unemployment Rate: 3.3%
- Hours Worked: 38.9
Maryland residents often face lengthy commutes, especially those traveling to Washington, D.C. for work. This contributes to their high stress levels, as many commute across state lines daily.
6. Georgia
- Average Commute (Minutes): 28.4
- Unemployment Rate: 3%
- Hours Worked: 39.4
Despite Georgia’s reputation for job opportunities, residents often contend with high unemployment rates and long commutes, contributing to heightened stress levels.
7. Delaware
- Average Commute (Minutes): 25.8
- Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
- Hours Worked: 38.8
Delaware’s small size translates to a high population density, leading to elevated housing costs and significant stress for its residents, who must allocate a large portion of their income to housing.
8. Virginia
- Average Commute (Minutes): 28.4
- Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
- Hours Worked: 39.2
Virginia’s long commutes, especially for those commuting to the D.C. area, coupled with long working hours, contribute significantly to residents’ stress levels.
9. Illinois
- Average Commute (Minutes): 29
- Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
- Hours Worked: 38.6
Illinois ranks as the ninth most stressed state, grappling with a high unemployment rate and challenging commuting conditions, adding to residents’ overall stress.
10. Mississippi
- Average Commute (Minutes): 24.6
- Unemployment Rate: 4%
- Hours Worked: 39.4
Mississippi often appears on lists for stress-related issues, largely due to its high unemployment rate and lengthy work hours, contributing to overall distress among residents.
Wrapping It Up
And there you have it—our analysis of the top 10 most stressed states. If these states are struggling under pressure, which ones are managing to keep calm? The top three least stressed states are Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
These lesser-discussed states might not grab headlines, but their residents enjoy lower stress levels, likely due to their strong sense of community and balanced lifestyles.
The Most Stressed States, All 50 States Ranked:
| Rank | State | Commute Time | Unemployment (%) | Hours Worked | Uninsured (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida | 27 | 3 | 38 | 13 |
| 2 | New Jersey | 31 | 3 | 38 | 7 |
| 3 | Texas | 26 | 3 | 40 | 17 |
| 4 | California | 29 | 3 | 38 | 7 |
| 5 | Maryland | 32 | 3 | 38 | 6 |
| 6 | Georgia | 28 | 3 | 39 | 13 |
| 7 | Delaware | 25 | 3 | 38 | 5 |
| 8 | Virginia | 28 | 2 | 39 | 8 |
| 9 | Illinois | 29 | 3 | 38 | 7 |
| 10 | Mississippi | 24 | 4 | 39 | 12 |
| 11 | New York | 33 | 3 | 38 | 5 |
| 12 | Tennessee | 25 | 3 | 39 | 10 |
| 13 | North Carolina | 24 | 3 | 39 | 10 |
| 14 | Alaska | 18 | 4 | 41 | 12 |
| 15 | Louisiana | 25 | 3 | 39 | 8 |
| 16 | South Carolina | 24 | 3 | 39 | 10 |
| 17 | Connecticut | 26 | 3 | 38 | 5 |
| 18 | Nevada | 24 | 3 | 38 | 11 |
| 19 | Arizona | 25 | 3 | 38 | 10 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | 29 | 3 | 38 | 2 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | 24 | 3 | 38 | 4 |
| 22 | Washington | 27 | 2 | 38 | 6 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | 26 | 3 | 38 | 5 |
| 24 | Alabama | 24 | 3 | 39 | 10 |
| 25 | Colorado | 25 | 2 | 39 | 7 |
| 26 | Hawaii | 27 | 2 | 38 | 4 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | 21 | 2 | 39 | 14 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | 27 | 2 | 38 | 5 |
| 29 | West Virginia | 25 | 3 | 39 | 6 |
| 30 | Indiana | 23 | 2 | 39 | 8 |
| 31 | New Mexico | 22 | 3 | 38 | 9 |
| 32 | Missouri | 23 | 2 | 38 | 9 |
| 33 | Ohio | 23 | 3 | 38 | 6 |
| 34 | Oregon | 23 | 3 | 37 | 7 |
| 35 | Wyoming | 17 | 2 | 40 | 10 |
| 36 | Michigan | 24 | 3 | 38 | 5 |
| 37 | Kentucky | 23 | 3 | 38 | 5 |
| 38 | Kansas | 19 | 2 | 39 | 8 |
| 39 | Arkansas | 21 | 2 | 39 | 8 |
| 40 | Idaho | 20 | 2 | 38 | 11 |
| 41 | Maine | 24 | 2 | 38 | 8 |
| 42 | Nebraska | 18 | 2 | 39 | 8 |
| 43 | South Dakota | 17 | 2 | 39 | 9 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | 22 | 2 | 38 | 5 |
| 45 | Vermont | 22 | 2 | 37 | 4 |
| 46 | Montana | 18 | 2 | 38 | 8 |
| 47 | Utah | 21 | 2 | 37 | 9 |
| 48 | Minnesota | 23 | 2 | 38 | 4 |
| 49 | North Dakota | 17 | 1 | 40 | 7 |
| 50 | Iowa | 19 | 2 | 38 | 4 |
Author
Heidi Cope is a former writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog. Her writing focused primarily on Zippia's suite of rankings and general career advice. After leaving Zippia, Heidi joined The Mighty as a writer and editor, among other positions. She received her BS from UNC Charlotte in German Studies.
