Photo by pasotraspaso

Forbes.com recently listed America’s most stressful cities.  You can follow the link to the original article through Yahoo! Real Estate.  The factors taken into account were unemployment rates, cost of living figures, median home price drops, population density, sunny and partly sunny days, and air quality.  We have a repeat winner as the most stressful U.S. city.  Here’s the top five:

Chicago

Yes, the Windy City retains its crown.  With an 11% unemployment rate in June, the second-worst air quality in the country, and a population density of 1,342 people per square mile, the windy city tops the list.  Being a Cubs fan carries its own stress.  Wait ’till next year!

Los Angeles

Despite its warm weather, Los Angeles proves to be the second most stressful city due to its population density of 2,732 people per square mile and its fourth- highest cost of living. It ranks eight in year-over-year median home-price drop, at 34.1%.  Those wildfires can’t be helping, either.

New York

The Big Apple takes the No. 1 spot for both cost of living and population density, at 2,762 people per square mile. As the nation’s largest metropolitan statistical area, it ranks as the fifth-worst city in terms of air quality. Unemployment, however, was below the national rate at 8.8% in June.  At least we have the Yankees.

Cleveland

This not-so-sunny city, with only 162 sunny days in 2007, saw an unemployment rate of 10.1% in June. It ranks in the top 10 for both year-over-year median home price drop and population density, at 1,060 people per square mile.  The Cavaliers are the only bright spot this year.

Providence

Providence, tied for fourth place with Cleveland, Ohio, ranks as the fifth worst city for employment, with the unemployment rate up to 12.1% in June. It ranks tenth for cost of living and thirteenth for population density at 975 people per square mile.  And no pro sports teams.  I guess there must be plenty of Red Sox fans living in Providence.

So there you have it, the top five most stressful cities in America.  Tomorrow, I’ll bring you their least stressful counterparts.  Stay tuned.

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