Quality of life has become a primary consideration for relocation decisions. New research has identified which cities are contributing most to residents’ daily stress levels. According to a survey conducted by mobile money transfer service Remitly in August 2025, the top reason people want to relocate is to improve their quality of life, often seeking places with a slower pace, a more relaxed lifestyle, and greater affordability.
Reported by USA Today, the study analyzed over 170 major cities worldwide using data collected in October. It examined factors that commonly contribute to stress, including average commute time, cost of living, healthcare quality, crime rates, safety statistics, and air quality. These elements, which might seem minor in isolation, can accumulate to impact residents’ overall well-being and happiness in their chosen locations.
New York City Ranks as America’s Most Stressed Urban Center
Topping both the global and US rankings for stress, New York City continues to challenge residents with its combination of long commutes, extraordinarily high living costs, and urban pressures. The city exemplifies how metropolitan areas – particularly capital and financial centers – can create environments where daily stressors accumulate to affect quality of life.
San Francisco ranks second among America’s most stressed cities, with Chicago, Los Angeles, and New Orleans completing the top five. Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Miami, and Las Vegas round out the top 10 most stressed U.S. urban centers. These cities typically share common characteristics, including challenging commutes, high living costs, and various urban pressures that contribute to resident stress.
“Even if a destination looks appealing on paper, those everyday pressures can have a huge impact on your well-being, productivity, and ultimately your long-term happiness once you actually settle in,” Ryan Riley, vice president of marketing for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific at Remitly, told USA Today.
10 Most Stressed US Cities
- New York City
- San Francisco
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- New Orleans
- Philadelphia
- Atlanta
- Washington, D.C.
- Miami
- Las Vegas
The 10 Most Stressed Global Cities
- New York City
- Dublin
- Mexico City
- Manila, Philippines
- London
- Milan
- Athens, Greece
- São Paulo
- Turin, Italy
- Kolkata, India
10 Least Stressed Cities In The World
For those seeking lower-stress environments, Remitly’s global study also identified the world’s least stressed cities. No American cities made the global top ten for low stress, with Dutch cities claiming four spots in the ranking.
- Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Utrecht, Netherlands
- Canberra, Australia
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Groningen, Netherlands
- Trondheim, Norway
- Bergen, Norway
- Porto, Portugal
- Brisbane, Australia
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
