Johann Hunt
Life in some cities feels heavier than a Monday morning alarm. Economic strain, safety worries, and daily pressures pile up, quietly weighing on residents’ mental health. In 2025, certain U.S. cities are seeing these challenges hit hard. Let’s take a closer look at where stress and sadness are most intense.
Detroit, MI
Detroit is struggling big time. It has the highest unemployment rate in the country, and even the paychecks don’t stretch because adjusted household income is the lowest in the U.S. Families are also ranked second-worst place to raise kids. And money management? The average credit score is 624, which banks call bad. Therefore, stress feels constant here.
Baltimore, MD
Life in Baltimore feels weighed down by financial strain and persistent violence. Rent takes an outsized share of paychecks, while safety concerns linger. Between 2020 and 2025, the city ranked sixth in the country for mass shootings. Even owning a home doesn’t bring peace, with many families owing more than their houses are worth.
Gulfport, MS
Here’s the thing about Gulfport—families are under severe strain. The city holds the nation’s highest family stress score. Also, divorce is widespread, and many households are headed by single parents. Add money problems to being ninth in the country, with health and safety stress at 13th, and everyday life feels crushing.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland’s no stranger to money stress. Divorce rates sit higher than in most big cities, and that pressure shows at home. Foreclosures? Second-highest in the country. Overdue bills are another burden, as Cleveland ranks high nationwide for missed payments. And once the cost of living is factored in, incomes shrink, leaving families stretched thin.
Stockton, CA
Life in Stockton has been marked by financial instability. Bankruptcy rates run high, and housing insecurity leaves many residents uneasy. Among working adults, depression adds another layer of strain. Although the city emerged from municipal bankruptcy in 2012, economic stagnation persists and poses challenges more than a decade later.
Shreveport, LA
Shreveport’s got a lot on its plate. It ranks in the top 10 most stressed cities in the country. Poverty is high, and unemployment doesn’t help. Credit scores? They’re some of the lowest in America. Additionally, families feel the squeeze too, with divorce and single-parent rates close to Detroit’s numbers.
St. Louis, MO
Poverty, violence, and mental health struggles weigh heavily on St. Louis. The city provides more services than the surrounding places, which is a step in the right direction. However, since 2020, suicide rates have continued to climb. Progress is possible, though the rising numbers show that meaningful change takes time.
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham is one of the nation’s top 10 most stressed cities, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Families face constant ups and downs, while low incomes make it tough to stretch a paycheck. Foreclosure rates are also among the highest in America. And after long workdays, the paycheck just doesn’t feel worth it.
Memphis, TN
Stress in Memphis comes from every angle. It’s number one in health and safety stress by topping the list nationwide. Financial strain? Top 10. Family stress? Also, the top 10. Violence makes it worse, with some of the highest violent rates in the U.S. With long hours and low pay, daily life further feels exhausting.
Fresno, CA
When people talk about Fresno, the challenges come up fast. Mental health services aren’t available everywhere, and a lot of neighborhoods feel stuck. Depression among young people is getting worse, and there aren’t enough parks or green areas. On top of that, the air here is some of the worst in the country.