Study: Most Stressful Cities in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents have the reputation of being unwavering patriots and enthusiastic sports fans, but underneath the cheerful façade they're hiding some real stress. From the Keystone State's quaint historical cities to its working class mill towns, some residents are in a daily struggle in their personal and financial lives. Those who live in certain parts of the state are more susceptible to this stress as several factors work against them. The CreditDonkey team zeroed in on those factors to come up with the most stressful cities in Pennsylvania.

Study Methodology

We gave each city a score based on the following five measures:

1. Odds of being a victim of violent crime
   
2. Commute time
   
3. Average hours worked per week
   
4. Percentage of divorcees
   
5. Percentage of income spent on housing

We began our study by first looking at FBI crime statistics to find the cities with the highest violent crime rates. Crime has an impact on our comfort level in our hometowns, whether we're reading a book at home or walking the streets at night. Residents of cities with high crime rates probably find themselves worrying about safety on a daily basis, which is bound to affect their stress levels.

We next looked data from the Census Bureau to see how much time residents spend commuting to work or hitting the daily grind. If residents are spending a large amount of their time at the office or in traffic, it's safe to assume that they might feel overwhelmed from time to time.

Healthy relationships can be a beautiful thing, but a romantic relationship on its last legs can cause a lot of stress to both parties. We factored in the percentage of divorcees in each city to see which cities have residents whose romantic lives have been turned upside down by a failed marriage.

Lastly, we looked at how much residents spend of their paychecks on their mortgage or rent. Not only is it a good indicator of housing costs and local wages in the area, but it's also a good measure of who might be counting pennies at the end of the month due to high housing costs. Money worries can really raise your stress level.

10 Most Stressful Cities in Pennsylvania

10. Aliquippa

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 205.2 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 24.1 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.4
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 8.2% of males, 14.1% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 22.6%

Aliquippa is a small city in the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area that's seen its share of good times and bad times. The area was first known as a trading post between the Native Americans and French, but became a ghost town under British control. The steel industry brought a flood of immigrants and workers in the 1800s, but the collapse of the steel industry in the 1980s led to Aliquippa being declared a "distressed community," which still holds true today. Since its peak, its population has decreased by almost half and the city is still in recovery. As if that wasn't enough, our research revealed that life in Aliquippa can get stressful because of a variety of factors. Aliquippa residents work longer hours per week than many other cities on our list. The percentage of divorced women is relatively low compared to other cities, but 14.1% is still a high percentage. The long work hours and evidence of marital problems indicate that economic problems in Aliquippa aren't the only thing that residents have to worry about.

Did you know: The city of Aliquippa may be economically depressed, but it's churned out a large number of professional athletes. Some of its past residents include NFL players Mike Ditka, Ty Law, and Jonathan Baldwin.

9. Corry

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 137.9 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 19.2 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.3
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 12.4% of males, 16.6% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 24.6%

The small community of Corry is located in northwestern Pennsylvania, just seven miles from the New York state line. The city has been named a Tree City for seven consecutive years, thanks to the city's commitment to preserving and maintaining its trees. Locals also boast that the scenery and small-town atmosphere make it fit for a Normal Rockwell painting. However, our research shows that there's a stressful side to the idyllic life in Corry. For example, the odds of becoming a victim of violent crime are 1 in 137.9, which is pretty high for a city of just 6,650. The city also has one of the highest percentages of divorced women in our study, which reveals that although the city itself may be family-friendly, quite a few people have had their relationships and families torn apart by divorce.

Did you know: One resident of Corry, Ryan Buell, has the anxiety-inducing occupation of paranormal investigator. He was the director of the A&E show Paranormal State and the film American Ghost Hunter.

8. Pittston

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 455.6 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 20.4 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.4
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 18.9% of males, 13.5% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 24.4%

Pittston is a small city in the Wyoming Valley by the Lackawanna and Susquehanna Rivers. Historically, the city was known for its anthracite coal mining, which attracted a large number of immigrants. The local economy depended on coal mining for many decades, until a disastrous flood, known as the Knox Mine disaster, ended anthracite coal mining in the region in 1959. As a manufacturing city, some of Pittston may seem rundown, but the local government has made efforts to revitalize the downtown in recent years. Despite having some unphotogenic areas, Pittston is the safest city on our list, and residents also experience a short morning commute. Unfortunately, crime and traffic aren't the only things that can cause stress, and Pittston ranked high in other measures. Pittston residents work relatively long hours compared to other cities and 18.9% of its male residents are divorced. In other words, nearly one-fifth of its male population has experienced a tension-filled marriage and its stressful aftermath.

Did you know: Even if life can get tense in Pittston, its residents definitely know how to have fun. Pittston celebrates its title as "The Quality Tomato Capital of the World" with an annual tomato festival in August, which includes a tomato fight. The entry fee includes protective eye goggles.

7. Easton

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 241.4 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 26.8 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 36.8
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 9% of males, 14.6% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 28.7%

Of the three cities that make up the picturesque Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania, Easton is both the smallest and most stressful. At first glance, it may not seem like a hotbed of stress. The small college town is home to Lafayette College, a private liberal arts school, and also has a quaint historic district, complete with horse-drawn carriages and mule-drawn boats. Beyond the peaceful façade is a city that may be suffering from some tension. Residents endure a relatively long commute compared to other cities on our list, spending 53.6 minutes in traffic daily. Residents work just 36.8 hours per week, which indicates that work stress may not be a major cause for concern for most locals. However, the short workweek comes at a price, and our data shows that residents spend a large portion of their income on housing. Locals spend 28.7% of their monthly paycheck on housing costs, which is a sign that the cost of living in comparison to the local income in Easton may be a source of stress for the average citizen.

Did you know: Visitors with small children can relax if they're visiting Easton - the city has much more to offer than just historical landmarks. As the birthplace of Crayola crayons, Easton is also home to the Crayola Experience, a family-friendly attraction where kids can create, color, and explore.

6. New Kensington

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 222.2 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 25.8 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.7
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 10.6% of males, 12% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 21.7%

About 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh sits the city of New Kensington, also known as "The Birthplace of the Aluminum Industry." While that might not seem like an impressive claim to fame, the city's identity is deeply intertwined with that of Alcoa (formerly Aluminum Company of America), which employed thousands of locals and built much-needed infrastructure, making the city what it is today. As a manufacturing city, New Kensington's reputation is worse than the reality. While property crime may be an issue, its violent crime rate is actually quite low compared to other cities in our study. Housing is also quite cheap in comparison to the local income, as residents pay the lowest percentage of their income on housing than any other city. However, locals work the longest hours on our list, making New Kensington the hardest working city, and the most prone to work-related stress, on our list.

Did you know: The Kevin Smith movie Dogma, a comedy that made light of religion and Catholic beliefs, was filmed in New Kensington. The production crew experienced their fair share of stress when the film was met with protests and death threats before it was even released.

5. Butler

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 159.2 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 22.3 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 37.2
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 16.3% of males, 16.7% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 27.1%

One visit to the city of Butler, and you'd probably agree with Smithsonian Magazine when it named Butler one of the top 10 best small towns in America in 2012. Between the thriving art scene and historical landmarks, Butler is a good mix of old and new. While we don't doubt that Butler is a great place to call home, our data suggests that there might be some stress lurking under the surface that may not have been accounted for. For instance, its crime rate of 1 in 159.2 residents isn't too high, but makes Butler one of the more dangerous cities to live in compared to other cities on our list. Its high percentage of divorcees also speaks volumes about residents' love lives. More than 16% of both sexes are divorced, indicating that many couples have experienced tense marriages in their past. Lastly, the income to housing cost ratio is relatively high compared to other cities, which means that money may be an issue for some residents.

Did you know: If riding a bike is your method of relaxation, you should try upping the stakes by riding a unicycle. Butler Wobble is a group of unicyclists who ride the streets of Butler together and offer classes for beginners.

4. Arnold

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 184.1 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 24.9 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 35.8
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 19.6% of males, 14.6% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 28.3%

A close neighbor to New Kensington, the city of Arnold was actually a part of New Kensington until 1896, when it was incorporated as a borough. Where New Kensington dominated the aluminum industry, Arnold's main industry was steel until the 1980s. After the closure of the steel mills, Arnold found itself in a difficult place economically, and is still in search of industry that can replace the void the steel mills left behind. Its lack of a strong local industry is demonstrated by the short hours that residents work weekly. At just 35.8 hours a week, it's the shortest work week on our list, and suggests that many residents may be underemployed. The high percentage that residents spend of their income on housing also indicates that the lack of full-time employment in combination with the cost of housing may put a strain on locals' finances. The high percentage of divorced men, which also tops our list, shows that some residents' relationships have undergone some stress as well.

Did you know: The population of Arnold is only 5,095, but residents might feel a little cramped. The city of Arnold is less than 1 square mile, which makes its population density about 7,706.6 people per square mile.

3. Philadelphia

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 86.2 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 31.8 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 37.8
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 7.4% of males, 10% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 28.2%

As the fifth largest city in the U.S. and the birthplace of democracy, Philadelphia regularly makes top 10 lists for its award-winning restaurants, hotels, shopping, entrepreneurship, and historical landmarks. Philadelphians can now add stress to the list, as our data shows that "The City of Brotherly Love" is no stranger to tension. Like most big cities, the time it takes to commute from point A to point B can fluctuate depending on the time of day. Philly residents suffer through the second longest commute on our list, commuting around 31.8 minutes each morning to get to work. Philadelphia is also the most dangerous city on our list with a crime rate of 1 in 86.2 residents. Because of the aforementioned qualities that make Philadelphia a popular city to call home, real estate is quite expensive in comparison to the local income. Residents pay a relatively high percentage of their income on housing costs, which probably adds to locals' money woes. Surprisingly, Philadelphia has the lowest percentage of divorcees of both sexes, but it does little to diminish the stress caused by other factors.

Did you know: Traffic may be bad in Philadelphia, but at least the city is highly walkable. Philly was ranked as one of the most walkable large cities by The Daily Green and WalkScore.

2. Duquesne

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 91.6 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 32.3 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 35.9
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 10.6% of males, 12.9% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 33.8%

Duquesne is a small suburb about twelve miles south of Pittsburgh. Spanning only two square miles and with a population of just 5,558 residents, Duquesne is one of the smallest cities on our list and ironically, one of the most stressful. The city's development was heavily dependent on the booming steel industry in the first part of the century, but like other steel mill cities, the decline of the steel industry lead to the city's decay as well. Economic opportunities are few and far between in Duquesne, as shown by the meager 35.9 hours that residents work per week. While it might sound relaxing to work less than full-time, it takes its toll on resident's finances. Locals spend 33.8% of their income on housing costs, which is the highest percentage on our list and way above the recommended 30%. The lack of industry in Duquesne also means that locals spend a lot of their time commuting each day to work. Duquesne residents spend more than an hour in traffic each day, and in combination with the above factors, earned its ranking as the second most stressful city in Pennsylvania.

Did you know: The Duquesne school district has some of the worst performing schools in Pennsylvania and is experiencing financial difficulties. Many of its teachers were working without a contract for two years. Luckily, the teachers are ratifying a contract that will hopefully be approved by November.

1. Clairton

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 174.9 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 29.2 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.2
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 10.1% of males, 15.8% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 25.2%

Clairton is another steel mill city located south of Pittsburgh in Allegheny County. Like many of the mill cities of Pennsylvania, Clairton experienced rapid growth in the beginning of the 20th century, followed by a decline in the 1980s, leading it to be declared a distressed municipality. Our research suggests that Clairton residents may deal with stress on many different fronts. While the crime rate in Clairton isn't the highest on our list, it is still considerably high in comparison to other cities. Residents devote a large amount of time to work, whether they're at the office or commuting to work, as shown by the 29.2 minute commute time and the long work hours. 15.8% of the female population is divorced, which indicates that many women may have experienced stress due to relationships gone bad. The long commute, long work hours, crime rate, and evidence of marital problems gave Clairton its #1 ranking as the most stressful city in Pennsylvania.

Did you know: The Deer Hunter is a tense film starring Robert DeNiro about steelworkers from Clairton who fight together in the Vietnam War. Although the film is set in Clairton, it was filmed in other steel mill cities in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania has relaxing vacation destinations, exciting metropolises, and serene rural towns, but living in one of the above cities might have some unforeseen consequences. Crime, traffic, divorce, work stress, and a lack of money are problems one can encounter in any city, but it can lead to a lot of anxiety if one encounters all of them at the same time. Our research shows that the above cities are prone to stress, and while no city is perfect, the least we can do is inform ourselves in order to address the stress we may encounter head on.