Hawaii has been ranked as the most stressful state in America.

Sleep experts at Amerisleep conducted research to find the US’s most stressful state to live in, based on analysis of 22 different stress factors related to work, money, health, and environment. The study found that Hawaii is the most stressful state, and Vermont is the least. 

The states received a score out of 10 for each factor, including housing and rent prices, income, rates of depression, physical activity, sleep levels, access to open spaces, and noise levels. 

Hawaii tops the list after scoring particularly highly for money and environmental stressors. The state’s average house price is $1,293,301, the third highest in the US, while it also has the highest rental prices in America, at $1,327 per month. As a result the state has the 49^th worst score for money related stress, which alongside the 48^th worst score for environmental factors such as poor highway conditions and being the second loudest state, led to Hawaii being the most stressful state in the US.

Florida is the second most stressful state, ranking poorly due to factors such as unemployment rate, with 6.5% of the population registering as unemployed. The state’s comparatively low adjusted gross income, low number of mental health facilities per capita, national parks and open spaces per square mile of land, and noise levels caused Florida’s low ranking.

At the other end of the scale, the study rated Vermont as the least stressful state. Vermont has reported the lowest level of registered poverty per capita, greatly reducing the state’s money related stresses. The state also has the second best ratio of mental health treatment facilities per capita, and one of the top states for physical activity and adequate sleep, leading to the state ranking second in the health related stress sub-category. 

Massachusetts came in first as the least stressful place to work, having the second highest minimum wage of any state, at $13.50 per hour, as well as the highest dollar per hour earnt, estimating $35.76. The state ranked relatively poorly on the three other sub-categories, and therefore ranks as the 34^th least stressful place overall.

Nebraska is the least stressful state when related to money, which helps make it the third least stressful overall. The state has the second lowest debt per capita, as well as relatively low house listing prices and monthly rent - $328,872 average house price and monthly rental price of $726. 

Alaska has the fewest health related stresses, with the third most mental health facilities per capita, as well as ranking highly on physical activity and adequate sleep of the population, the state also has some of the lowest work travel time. The state ranked low in stressful conditions on other sub-categories, such as money and environmental factors, leading to its 21^st ranking overall.

Maine ranked as the least stressful state for environmental related stress. The state boasts the fourth best highway system in America, as well as the highest percentage of tree coverage, at 89.5% of the state. Maine is ranked the second least stressful state, ranking in the top half of the least stressful conditions for work related stress, and third in the least stressful conditions for health related stress. 

April Mayer of Amerisleep said: “Stress is a serious factor that can greatly affect someone’s health and way of life, with the current pandemic only heightening levels. It is very interesting to see which states are ranking as the most and least stressful places to live to better understand how the population and government can ensure good mental and physical health. A key factor that should be highlighted is the importance of sleep. An adequate night’s sleep can greatly improve health and reduce stress levels, and this should be a key focus for residents of the more stressed states as a factor within their control.”

The study was conducted by Amerisleep, a producer of award-winning mattresses, beds, and sleep accessories.

*All rankings from least to most stressed. 1 = least stressed, 50 = most stressed.