NYC Named World’s Most Stressful City

New York City, recently hailed as the second-best city globally by Resonancy Consultancy for its “cultural economy and massive urban infrastructure projects,” has now earned a far less enviable distinction: the most stressed-out city in the world.

Finance company Remitly conducted a global study assessing major cities on cost of living, crime, congestion, pollution, and access to healthcare, combining these factors into an overall “stress score” out of 10.

New York topped the list with a score of 7.59.

The city’s exceptionally high cost of living is a major contributor to residents’ stress levels.

A 2025 study by Cornell University found that rising living expenses are the primary concern for most New Yorkers.

In November, median Manhattan rent hit a record $4,625, up 7.6% year over year, according to appraiser Miller Samuel Inc. and brokerage Douglas Elliman.

Inflation has also affected groceries, utilities, and insurance, pushing Remitly to assign New York City the maximum living expenses score of 100. By comparison, Athens, Greece, scored 56.6, and Mexico City scored 44.4.

While New York’s top-stress ranking is unsurprising, the city in second place may raise eyebrows. Dublin, Ireland, traditionally viewed as a laid-back city full of pubs and poets, scored 7.55 overall. Local residents face increasing affordability pressures, the study noted.

Dublin is also among Europe’s most congested cities, with travel times averaging 32 minutes and 45 seconds for just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

Rounding out the top five most stressful cities were Mexico City, Manila, and London.

At the other end of the spectrum, Eindhoven in the Netherlands was named the least stressful city globally, with a low overall score of 2.34. Utrecht followed closely. Both Dutch cities benefitted from excellent healthcare access and low crime and pollution rates.