A new study from LawnStarter has identified the most and least relaxed cities in the United States, highlighting a stark contrast between urban areas plagued by crime and poverty and suburban communities that offer a higher quality of life. The study analyzed 500 cities based on 42 metrics related to well-being, including sleep quality, mental health, financial stability, and access to recreational spaces.
San Jose, California, emerged as the most relaxed large city, primarily due to its high scores in mental and physical well-being. Following closely behind were San Francisco and Seattle, both of which benefit from abundant outdoor access and substantial income levels. The report indicates that many wealthy suburbs also ranked highly, with cities like Sunnyvale, California; Naperville, Illinois; and Carmel, Indiana, showcasing a blend of calm living and reliable amenities.
In contrast, cities such as Flint, Michigan; Dayton, Ohio; and Detroit ranked at the bottom of the list. These areas struggle with high smoking rates, elevated blood pressure, inadequate sleep, and long-term economic challenges that adversely affect residents’ quality of life. Other cities facing similar issues include Memphis and Cleveland, where high crime rates and persistent poverty contribute to a stressful environment.
26 of the top 30 cities identified in the study have median household incomes exceeding $106,000, significantly higher than the national median of approximately $84,000. This financial stability, coupled with positive wellness factors, helps to shield residents from many stressors encountered in other regions.
Notably, while California cities dominated the upper tier of relaxed living, parts of the Pacific Northwest, such as Spokane, Washington, and Eugene, Oregon, ranked poorly. These areas report some of the highest depression rates in the nation, often linked to long winters and seasonal affective disorder.
Many large urban centers are under pressure from escalating housing costs, deteriorating infrastructure, and surges in illegal immigration that strain public services. As a result, numerous Americans are relocating from high-cost cities in search of safer neighborhoods and more affordable living conditions. Recent reports indicate that cities like New York and Los Angeles have experienced significant worker losses as residents migrate to less expensive, lower-stress locales in the South.
According to a July report from personal finance magazine Kiplinger, many individuals are leaving California, South Florida, Long Island, and New Jersey “in droves” for lower-cost Southern and Sun Belt cities. These regions frequently overlap with the nation’s most relaxed communities, suggesting a clear trend among movers seeking better living conditions.
Public policies aimed at providing income security, safe housing, good nutrition, health insurance, and family-friendly workplaces could significantly reduce stress nationwide. Dr. Deborah Carr, a sociology professor at Boston University, emphasized the need for such measures, although she acknowledged the challenges in achieving these goals.
As urban areas grapple with mounting challenges, the findings from LawnStarter’s study offer valuable insights into the dynamics of stress and relaxation across American cities. The data reveals that the pursuit of a more relaxed lifestyle continues to shape the movement of residents seeking better opportunities and environments.
