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Miami was ranked one of the country’s most stressed-out cities, and we’re not entirely surprised

Financial pressure and family strain push Miami to the top of Florida’s most stressed-out cities, according to a new WalletHub report

Laura Ratliff
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Laura Ratliff
Miami Beach, Florida
Shutterstock | Miami Beach, Florida
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If you’ve ever found yourself sweating through your shirt on a gridlocked drive down Biscayne or spiraling over rent hikes while sipping cafecito, you probably won’t be shocked: Miami just landed a spot on WalletHub’s list of America’s most stressed-out cities.

The report, released this month, ranks Miami 41st out of 182 U.S. cities for overall stress levels—making it the most stressed-out city in Florida. Researchers looked at four main areas of stress: work, finances, family life and health and safety. While the Magic City came out relatively chill on the job front (we’re talking decent job satisfaction and tolerable commute times), it took some serious hits in the wallet and family departments.

Miami’s worst category was financial stress. Between rising housing costs, mounting debt and a high share of underwater mortgages, many residents are barely treading water—even if their Instagram suggests otherwise. Add in a tough childcare landscape and a notable share of single-parent households and you’ve got a city where the stress runs deeper than the humidity.

Still, Miami isn’t suffering alone. Jacksonville (No. 45) and Hialeah (No. 46) followed close behind, with health and safety and family stress as their respective top stressors. Other Florida cities like Tampa (No. 80), Port St. Lucie (No. 81) and Orlando (No. 97) all made the ranking too, though with slightly lower overall stress scores.

Nationally, Detroit took the dubious honor of being the most stressed city in America, largely due to high poverty, low income and a struggling job market. In contrast, South Burlington, Vermont, was ranked the least stressed city in the U.S., which makes sense if you’ve ever looked at a photo of South Burlington.

Of course, not all stress is bad. As WalletHub’s analysts point out, the right kind of stress (in small doses) can boost alertness and motivation. But too much—especially the chronic kind linked to financial insecurity and fractured family support—can have lasting effects on mental and physical health.

While Miami’s got stress, we also have sunshine, culture and some of the best espresso this side of Havana. Just maybe take that next meeting beachside. For your health.

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