How Stressed Is North Dakota? New Rankings Deliver Some Great News

Life can be stressful. Whether it's rising grocery prices, inflation, looming work deadlines, family responsibilities, or relationship challenges, it often feels like there's always something demanding our attention.

According to the American Psychological Association, Americans' biggest sources of stress over the past year included concerns about the future of the nation, the economy, and work. While those worries are common across the country, where you live can make a surprising difference in just how much stress you experience.

A new study from WalletHub compared all 50 states to determine where Americans are the most—and least—stressed. The good news? If you live in North Dakota or the surrounding region, you're in one of the least stressed parts of the country.

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North Dakota Ranks Among the Nation's Least Stressed States

WalletHub's rankings show that North Dakota is the 44th most stressed state, making it one of the seven least stressed states in America.

Our neighbors also performed well:

• South Dakota ranked as the least stressed state in the entire nation (50th).
• Minnesota came in at 48th, making it the third least stressed state.
• North Dakota ranked 44th.
• Montana landed in 19th, making it the most stressed state in our immediate region, though it still falls well short of the nation's most stressed states.

The rankings suggest that residents across much of the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains may enjoy a lifestyle that helps reduce everyday stress compared to many other parts of the country.

How the Rankings Were Determined

To create the rankings, WalletHub compared states across 40 different indicators of stress, grouped into four major categories:

• Work-related stress
• Money-related stress
• Family-related stress
• Health and safety-related stress

The study looked at a wide range of factors, including average hours worked each week, unemployment, job security, commute times, personal bankruptcy rates, divorce rates, crime, physical health, and the percentage of adults who get adequate sleep.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale, with higher scores representing greater levels of stress. Those scores were then combined using weighted averages to produce an overall stress ranking for every state.

Read More: North Dakota Ranked 4th Most Affordable State For Retirement

Region Stress

Region Stress

Why Our Region May Feel Less Stressful

While the study doesn't pinpoint a single reason for the strong showing from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, it's easy to see why the region might score well.

Many communities across the Northern Plains offer shorter commute times, lower population density, strong community connections, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Those factors can all contribute to a healthier work-life balance and lower day-to-day stress.

Of course, no one is completely immune to stress. Financial concerns, family obligations, and workplace pressures affect people everywhere. But according to WalletHub's latest rankings, residents of North Dakota and much of the surrounding region may have a little less to worry about than most Americans.

If you're looking for one more reason to appreciate life in the Upper Midwest, being among the least stressed states in the country is certainly one worth celebrating.