Outdoor temperature readings are not the only things that are high in Baltimore City – so are stress levels, according to WalletHub. Baltimore was named 2nd most stressed city in the nation out of 180 cities ranked by the personal finance company in its report, 2026’s Most Least Stresse d Cities in America. Taking 39 metrics into account, WalletHub considered factors like average weekly work hours, unemployment rate, divorce rates, suicide rates, and more. Only Detroit, Michigan, residents are more stressed than Baltimoreans, who are ahead of Cleveland, Ohio, in the No. 3 spot. (Incidentally, two former residencies of this author, San Bernardino, California, and New York City are ranked 40 and 41 respectively. She would like to speak to the WalletHub people after class about this.) Charm City topped the list for work stress, came in second for financial stress, but 95th in the number of average weekly hours worked. Traffic congestion ranked 11th worst out of 180 cities reviewed. The cost of housing in Baltimore is a source of stress. Adding to the stress is how expensive housing is in Baltimore City. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment swallows up nearly 38% of the median household’s income. That is the third-highest in the country. Homeowners hardly fare better in making their mortgage payments, as Baltimore has the fourth-highest share of seriously underwater mortgages. In addition to housing, crime rate contributes to stress for Baltimore residents. The city has accomplished dramatic reductions in violent crime, recording 133 homicides in 2025, the fewest in nearly 50 years. As of June 1, 2026, homicides had dropped an additional 23% compared to the first five months of 2025 and a 21% reduction in nonfatal shootings in young people over the same period. Burglaries and carjackings are also down. Despite these improvements, Baltimore has one of the highest violent crime rates in the United States, and was the city with the sixth-most mass shootings between April 2020 and April 2026. Finally, the city has the ninth-highest food insecurity rate and the 15th-highest separation and divorce rate. While stress is inevitable and everyone experiences it to some degree, economic anxiety and feelings of isolation can make it feel more desperate. Dr. Cassandra D. Chaney, the J. Franklin Bayhi Endowed Professor at Louisiana State University, has practical tips for reducing stress in work, finance, and home life. She urges employers to improve communication, clarity, and give consistent and constructive feedback. Even more important is offering autonomy and flexibility to their employees. “Flexible work arrangements have also become a key strategy in reducing stress,” Chaney wrote. “Hybrid work models, remote work options, and flexible scheduling allow employees to better manage personal and professional responsibilities. Research consistently shows that employees who perceive strong organizational support report lower stress levels and higher job satisfaction.” As for individuals outside the workplace, she urges realism and budgeting. Tracking monthly income and expenses – and adjusting accordingly – leads to a sense of control, which leads to reduced stress levels. “Even small steps, such as reducing discretionary spending or automating bill payments, can reduce financial anxiety,” Chaney wrote. The Cylburn Arboretum is free to the public. Being in nature is great stress reducer. Photo via Cylburn Arboretum’s Facebook page. ...read more read less