Study: Most Stressful Cities in Florida
Look beyond all those retirees and tourists and you'll some serious stress in Florida. Work, money, marital problems are felt just as strongly in the Sunshine State as it is in other parts of the country. It's just more spread out depending on where Floridians live. Read on to discover which Florida cities are the most stressful.
10 Most Stressful Cities to Live in Florida
 |
Study Methodology
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime
- Commute time
- Average work hours per week
- Percentage of divorcees
- Percentage of income spent on housing
First we calculated the chances of being a victim of violent crime using crime statistics from the FBI. Safety is important, whether you’re a single twenty-something or a family of five. Living in a high crime area can put anyone on edge and can make daily life more stressful.
There’s nothing worse than sitting through half an hour of traffic with the knowledge that you have a long workday ahead of you. That’s why we looked at the average daily commute and # of hours worked perweek from U.S. Census data to calculate how much time people are spending devoted to their jobs. The longer the workweek and daily commute, the higher the chances of work-related stress.
Everyone can agree that work and traffic are bound to make one tense from time to time, but any recently divorced person can attest that marriage can be just as stressful. We looked at the number of divorcees in each city to find out which ones have a high incidence of marital stress.
Finally, we calculated the percentage of residents’ income that goes toward housing costs. Housing is an ongoing and unavoidable expense — the higher the costs, the less money one has for basic necessities and leisure activities. Thirty percent of one’s income is said to be the threshold for housing stress, but many of the cities on our list are paying well above that percentage.
Taking those five factors into account, we created this list of the 10 most stressful cities in Florida.
10. Lauderdale Lakes
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 100 inhabitants
- Commute time: 28.6 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 38
- Percentage of divorcees: 11.9% of males, 13.5% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 35.1%
Lauderdale Lakes is a small city in Broward County close to Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Don’t be fooled by its history as a retirement community – according to our research, residents aren’t getting as much rest and relaxation as one might think. Lauderdale Lake residents work an average of 38 hours per week, and while that’s the shortest workweek on our list, it’s still a large amount of time spent in the office. Residents also pay a big chunk of their paycheck towards housing, which means they have less money in their pocket at the end of the month.
9. Tamarac
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 327 inhabitants
- Commute time: 27.8 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 38.8
- Percentage of divorcees: 14.4% of males, 16.7% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 31%
Right next door to Lauderdale Lakes is the city of Tamarac, with whom it shares many characteristics. It’s small, ideal for retirees, close to Miami, and pretty stressful. Residents spend less time commuting to work, but spend almost an hour more at their daily grind than Lauderdale Lake residents. Both crime and housing costs seem to be low in Tamarac in contrast to Lauderdale Lakes. However, love (or maybe the lack thereof) seems to be the main source of stress, as evidenced by the high percentage of divorcees.
8. Miami
 |
| Miami, Florida |
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 85 inhabitants
- Commute time: 26.4 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 38.4
- Percentage of divorcees: 11.8% of males, 15.3% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 39.9%
As an international center of finance, culture, sports, and entertainment, Miami hardly needs an introduction. Tourists flock to its coasts year-round to enjoy the tropical beaches and its glitzy nightlife. But for those who call Miami home, stress is a part of their everyday life. Miami is the second most dangerous city on our list, with a violent crime rate of 1 in 85 inhabitants. Luckily, residents’ daily commute and workweek are relatively short for a major metropolitan area, but what probably makes residents’ stress levels rise is the cost of housing. Miami residents spent 39.9% of their income on housing each month – that’s almost half of their paycheck.
7. Pompano Beach
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 97 inhabitants
- Commute time: 24.6 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 39.1
- Percentage of divorcees: 14.9% of males, 13.4% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 32.5%
Pompano Beach is a close neighbor to both Tamarac and Lauderdale Lakes in South Broward County. As a coastal city, Pompano Beach boasts a variety of water activities and outdoor events, like its annual seafood festival. It was featured in various publications as an ideal city to buy a vacation home, suggesting that its high housing costs are worth the investment. However, new residents may still feel tension in some areas of Pompano Beach, as its violent crime rate is high. Its high number of divorced men also doesn’t bode well for people looking for a city that is low on relationship drama.
6. Miramar
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 235 inhabitants
- Commute time: 30.2 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 39.9
- Percentage of divorcees: 8% of males, 13.4% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 33.3%
Just 20 minutes outside of Miami sits the city of Miramar. Named after a district in Havana, Cuba, it makes sense that diversity would be one of its strong suits. Crime and relationship stress probably aren’t major issues for most of its residents, but time management and work-life balance probably weigh heavy on their minds. Residents’ daily commute is an hour total and they work an average of 39.9 hours a week.
5. Fort Lauderdale
 |
| Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 111 inhabitants
- Commute time: 24.2 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 39.4
- Percentage of divorcees: 14.9% of males, 16.9% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 29.4%
If Miami Beach is the glamorous rock star of Florida, Fort Lauderdale would be the classy and understated older brother. Attracting a more sophisticated type of tourist than Miami, it is known for its museums, casinos, and the Everglades National Park. At first glance, it’s hard to see why Fort Lauderdale ranked so low on our list. The average daily commute is pretty short, housing costs are relatively low, and the violent crime rate is commensurate with a city of its size. What makes this city stressful is the percentage of failed relationships. Fort Lauderdale has one of the highest percentages of divorced men and the 2nd highest percentage of divorced women on our list.
4. Aventura
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 728 inhabitants
- Commute time: 29.3 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 40.5
- Percentage of divorcees: 12.3% of males, 15.9% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 33.5%
Its name connotes a bustling city, but in reality, Aventura is a quaint suburban city with a modest population of 36,981. It’s the safest city on our list and its only public school, the Aventura City of Excellence School, ranked in the top 10 best schools in Florida in past years. The combination of its proximity to Miami and low crime rate make it ideal for families, but living in Aventura doesn’t come without a price. Residents work hard and spend 33.5% of their income on housing. The long work hours and high cost of living might also be connected with marital stress, as Aventura also has a high percentage of divorcees.
3. Cutler Bay
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 337 inhabitants
- Commute time: 36.5 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 40.5
- Percentage of divorcees: 9.6% of males, 15.2% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 30.3%
Cutler Bay is a fairly new town in Miami-Dade County, located in what was previously called the Cutler Ridge neighborhood. If one thing can be said about Cutler Bay residents, it’s that they work hard and are devoted to their jobs. They spend more than 6 hours a week commuting to work and 40.5 hours working. With all the stress that comes from commuting and working long hours, it’s no surprise that Cutler Bay also has a high percentage of divorced women.
2. Homestead
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 60 inhabitants
- Commute time: 32.7 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 38.6
- Percentage of divorcees: 8.6% of males, 15.1% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 34%
Primarily an agricultural city, Homestead is known for its rustic charm and small-town atmosphere. However, outsiders should know that Homestead isn’t for the lazy or the faint of heart. Homestead residents keep themselves busy with long work hours, long daily commutes, and high housing costs. If that isn’t stressful enough, Homestead also has the highest crime rate on our list, showing that a farming community can still experience big city problems.
1. Miami Beach
- Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 97 inhabitants
- Commute time: 25.4 minutes
- Average hours worked per week: 40.8
- Percentage of divorcees: 14.5% of males, 18.1% of females
- Percentage of income spent on housing: 33.5%
Miami Beach is the closest thing to paradise in the continental U.S., so living there can’t be too stressful, right? Wrong, at least according to our research, which ranked Miami Beach #1 as the most stressful city in Florida. Miami Beach residents work the longest hours out of all the cities on our list, which goes to show that living in a resort city doesn’t mean you get to enjoy its perks all the time. Living in a coveted neighborhood also comes with a price tag, as residents spent a high percentage of their income on housing. Miami Beach might seem like paradise, but its residents know that it takes hard work and sacrifices to keep up with the fast-paced life.
If anything can be gleaned from our study, it’s that residents of the above Florida cities know how to play hard but work harder. Living in one of the most beautiful states in the country has to have its tradeoffs, and stress is one of them for some residents. Problems like crime, high housing costs, long work hours, and marital problems can be found anywhere, but at least in the Sunshine State, the beach and balmy weather can make up for them.
The Top 50 Most Stressful Cities in Florida
| Rank | City | Violent Crime Odds | Average Commute Time | Average Hours Worked | % Male Divorce1 | % Female Divorce1 | Income Spent on Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Beach | 1 in 96.8 | 25.4 | 40.8 | 14.5% | 18.1% | 33.5% |
| 2 | Homestead | 1 in 60.1 | 32.7 | 38.6 | 8.6% | 15.1% | 34% |
| 3 | Cutler Bay | 1 in 337.1 | 36.5 | 40.5 | 9.6% | 15.2% | 30.3% |
| 4 | Aventura | 1 in 727.6 | 29.3 | 40.5 | 12.3% | 15.9% | 33.5% |
| 5 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 in 110.7 | 24.2 | 39.4 | 14.9% | 16.9% | 29.4% |
| 6 | Miramar | 1 in 234.6 | 30.2 | 39.9 | 8.0% | 13.4% | 33.3% |
| 7 | Pompano Beach | 1 in 97.2 | 24.6 | 39.1 | 14.9% | 13.4% | 32.5% |
| 8 | Miami | 1 in 85.3 | 26.4 | 38.4 | 11.8% | 15.3% | 39.9% |
| 9 | Tamarac | 1 in 326.6 | 27.8 | 38.8 | 14.4% | 16.7% | 31% |
| 10 | Lauderdale Lakes | 1 in 100.1 | 28.6 | 38. | 11.9% | 13.5% | 35.1% |
| 11 | Key West | 1 in 121.4 | 13.3 | 40.3 | 17.4% | 16.5% | 34.9% |
| 12 | Margate | 1 in 382. | 28.1 | 39.1 | 11.4% | 16.4% | 31.5% |
| 13 | Oakland Park | 1 in 127.5 | 25.3 | 38.7 | 12.4% | 16.8% | 30.7% |
| 14 | Lauderhill | 1 in 117.6 | 28.7 | 37.8 | 12.3% | 14.1% | 34.8% |
| 15 | Hollywood | 1 in 226. | 27.8 | 38.4 | 13.2% | 16.3% | 30.1% |
| 16 | Lake Worth | 1 in 77.6 | 26.9 | 37.8 | 10.1% | 17.7% | 31.1% |
| 17 | Sunrise | 1 in 379. | 27.9 | 39.2 | 10.0% | 15.1% | 32.1% |
| 18 | Delray Beach | 1 in 135.8 | 22.8 | 39. | 14.0% | 16.8% | 30% |
| 19 | Orlando | 1 in 98.3 | 24.5 | 38.9 | 10.1% | 15.7% | 29.9% |
| 20 | Casselberry | 1 in 166.1 | 27.3 | 38. | 12.4% | 18.4% | 29.1% |
| 21 | Coconut Creek | 1 in 510.8 | 25.8 | 39.8 | 11.2% | 15.7% | 29.7% |
| 22 | North Miami | 1 in 117. | 30.9 | 37.1 | 9.3% | 12.9% | 35.5% |
| 23 | Deerfield Beach | 1 in 215.1 | 24 | 38.6 | 11.8% | 17.3% | 32.5% |
| 24 | North Miami Beach | 1 in 154.4 | 30.5 | 38.1 | 9.3% | 10.4% | 33.7% |
| 25 | Kissimmee | 1 in 110.4 | 26.8 | 37.2 | 10.6% | 14.9% | 34.4% |
| 26 | Boynton Beach | 1 in 175.3 | 22.5 | 39.4 | 11.5% | 14.4% | 30.6% |
| 27 | Clearwater | 1 in 150.3 | 21.9 | 39.1 | 12.9% | 17.9% | 28.6% |
| 28 | Pembroke Pines | 1 in 671.2 | 29.5 | 39.2 | 9.5% | 14.2% | 30% |
| 29 | Port St. Lucie | 1 in 426.4 | 30.6 | 38.5 | 11.2% | 13.4% | 30.3% |
| 30 | Davie | 1 in 257.3 | 26.3 | 38.9 | 10.9% | 15.6% | 28.2% |
| 31 | West Palm Beach | 1 in 124.8 | 23 | 38.6 | 11.4% | 16.6% | 30.4% |
| 32 | Apopka | 1 in 294.8 | 30.1 | 39.9 | 8.5% | 13.1% | 25.9% |
| 33 | Altamonte Springs | 1 in 297.9 | 23.7 | 39.2 | 15.2% | 19.6% | 26% |
| 34 | Miami Gardens | 1 in 119.4 | 29.5 | 37.2 | 8.8% | 12.4% | 34% |
| 35 | Doral | 1 in 564.6 | 26.6 | 39.5 | 7.7% | 13.0% | 32% |
| 36 | St. Cloud | 1 in 256.3 | 30.1 | 38.5 | 9.5% | 14.4% | 27.4% |
| 37 | Miami Lakes | 1 in 564.2 | 28.2 | 39.5 | 6.0% | 14.0% | 28.8% |
| 38 | North Lauderdale | 1 in 220.6 | 27.9 | 38.1 | 7.5% | 12.6% | 37.2% |
| 39 | Panama City | 1 in 130.5 | 18.7 | 39.3 | 15.4% | 18.4% | 26.6% |
| 40 | Weston | 1 in 1087.9 | 28.5 | 40.4 | 5.8% | 12.9% | 28.6% |
| 41 | Fort Myers | 1 in 85.4 | 25 | 37.6 | 12.6% | 14.6% | 28.7% |
| 42 | Pinellas Park | 1 in 218.5 | 20.9 | 39.9 | 15.5% | 17.2% | 25.2% |
| 43 | Riviera Beach | 1 in 75.7 | 20.9 | 38. | 11.3% | 15.3% | 35% |
| 44 | Palm Bay | 1 in 189.2 | 26.4 | 38.4 | 11.4% | 14.5% | 27.3% |
| 45 | Tampa | 1 in 162.2 | 22.4 | 38.8 | 11.3% | 15.4% | 28.7% |
| 46 | Plantation | 1 in 315.5 | 25.5 | 39.7 | 9.9% | 14.8% | 26.5% |
| 47 | Largo | 1 in 200. | 20.9 | 39.2 | 17.0% | 18.0% | 25.4% |
| 48 | St. Petersburg | 1 in 110.9 | 21.9 | 38.4 | 14.3% | 18.1% | 26.7% |
| 49 | Ocoee | 1 in 263. | 28.6 | 39. | 7.1% | 13.2% | 26.7% |
| 50 | Winter Garden | 1 in 182.5 | 25.3 | 38.8 | 9.3% | 13.7% | 27.8% |
Cassy Parker is a contributing writer at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Cassy Parker at cassy@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Read Next:
