Study: Most Stressful Cities in New Jersey

New Jersey natives would be the first to tell you that tensions can run high in the Garden State. It's home to some of the most densely populated and diverse cities in the country, and with nearly 9 million people living on 8.73 square miles, it's a given that stress can sometimes reach its boiling point. Of course, not all cities in New Jersey are prone to the same stressors. Some cities have it worse than others because of long commutes, demanding work schedules, and high mortgages.

The CreditDonkey team has crunched the numbers to determine which cities in New Jersey are the most stressful.

Study Methodology

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 looking at FBI statistics to find the cities with the highest violent crime rates. Living in a high crime area can make residents tense and on edge. Physical safety shouldn’t be a constant worry, especially in your own neighborhood.

Regardless of your occupation, long hours spent at the office can leave you feeling tired and stressed out at the end of the week. It’s even worse when followed by a long commute. That’s why we used U.S. Census data to calculate the average workweek in each city, as well as the average amount spent behind the wheel each day going to work.

Ideally, romantic relationships provide a sanctuary from the stresses of daily life, but sometimes it’s the source of the very stress we’re trying to avoid. Divorcees can attest to that fact better than anyone. We researched the cities in New Jersey that have a high percentage of divorcees to calculate which cities have a large percentage of residents who’ve experienced their share of marital stress.

Finally, we looked at the percentage of residents’ income that they spend on housing to find out where residents may be pressed for cash at the end of the month. The recommended percentage that people should spend on housing is 30%, but many of the cities that made the cut have a rate well above that amount.

Each city in our study was ranked using the above five measures, and then an average was calculated based on the individual scores. The cities that made our list may not have dominated in one category, but their high average score indicates that the combination of factors makes it a stressful place to live. Read on to find out which cities in New Jersey are the most stressful.

10 Most Stressful Cities in New Jersey

10. Union City

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 270.1 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 31.2 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.1
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 8% of males, 13.2% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 32.9%

Union City, located on the Hudson River across from New York City, is theoretically a small city, but it isn’t for the claustrophobic. With 67,744 residents living on 3.22 square miles, Union City was the most densely populated city in the U.S. in a past U.S. Census. Luckily, residents seem to live in relative harmony despite coming from diverse backgrounds. Union City was a haven for first generation immigrants, who worked in the silk embroidery industry that gave the region its nickname, “The Embroidery Capital of the U.S.” Immigrants from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Caribbean made Union City their home and enriched the local culture. Population density aside, Union City still would have made our list of stressful cities because of the high cost of housing and long daily commute. Residents spend 32.9% of their income on average on their homes.

Did you know: Union City is sometimes called the “Havana on the Hudson” because it has one of the largest Cuban communities in the U.S., coming in second to Miami.

9. Englewood

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 339 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 30.8 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.6
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 11.2% of males, 10% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 31.1%

Englewood sits on the edge of the Hudson River in Bergen County. Much like Union City, its proximity to New York City played a large role in its development. The city’s population more than tripled in the early 20th century because of a new trolley service and the invention of the automobile, which made travel to New York City more accessible for those working on Wall Street. While Englewood’s crime rate and average daily commute are both lower than that of Union City, residents here work slightly longer hours than Union City residents and its population has a higher percentage of divorced men.

Did you know: Upton Sinclair, author of The Jungle, wanted to escape the stress of modern life by building a utopian community in Englewood in 1906. Its name was the Helicon Home Colony and it had around 40 residents. Unfortunately, the commune lasted only six months because it was burned down by a fire.

8. Asbury Park

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 65.6 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 26.4 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.4
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 10.3% of males, 14.5% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 39.3%

The seaside city of Asbury Park has always known how to draw a crowd and keep visitors coming. Since its beginnings in 1871, visitors have flocked to its boardwalk to take in the ocean view and enjoy the music scene that earned the city its ranking as one of the top 10 places to listen to music by USA Today. The city went through a rough patch in the latter half of the 20th century, but the city’s recent revitalization efforts have attempted to bring the city back to its former glory. No city is perfect, though, and our study revealed that Asbury Park might be a stressful city to call home. With a crime rate of 1 in 65.6 residents, Asbury Park is by far the most dangerous city in our study. Ironically, the housing costs in relation to the local income are also the highest, as residents spend close to 40% of their income on housing. It may be because housing costs are high or that local wages are low, but Asbury Park residents are likely to be hurting for extra cash at the end of the month.

Did you know: Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics covered a variety of topics, but he had a knack for finding beauty in life’s daily struggles. He often played at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, and his debut album was called Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.

7. Jersey City

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 136.2 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 35 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 39.4
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 7.1% of males, 8.6% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 27%

Jersey City may be in the state of New Jersey, but its proximity to downtown Manhattan makes it also part of the New York City metropolitan area. Its convenient location on the Hudson River and New York Bay makes it an important transit point and port for the region. Although tourists typically visit New York City to get a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty and tour Ellis Island, Jersey City is closer to the iconic statue and is the real home to the famous immigration station that has welcomed thousands of immigrants in the past. The result is a diverse community. Like any true melting pot, life in Jersey City isn’t without its tension. Jersey City has the second highest crime rate on our list, coming in second only to Asbury Park. Residents also spend a lot of time and energy devoted to work. Locals work nearly 40 hours a week and endure one of the longest daily commutes in our study. In total, locals spend over 45 hours working and commuting, leaving very little time for rest and relaxation.

Did you know: It takes a lot of nerve to work both inside and outside the law, as the notorious politician Frank Hague knew personally. Frank Hague, the mayor of Jersey City between 1917 and 1947, was accused of corruption and bossism. At one point, he was thought to have at least $10 million, even though he only earned $8,500 a year in city wages.

6. Lambertville

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 3,915 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 32.3 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 40
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 9.9% of males, 23.8% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 25.5%

If you walked the tree-lined streets of Lambertville or along the serene Delaware and Raritan Canal, you might not guess that life in the postcard-worthy city was filled with stress. Nestled on the east bank of the Delaware River, the “Antique Capital of New Jersey” made Forbes magazine’s list of “America’s Prettiest Towns” in 2013. Lambertville isn’t just picturesque; it’s also the safest and most affordable city to live in on our list. Unfortunately, our numbers also reveal that locals experience stress of a different kind. For example, residents spend a large amount of time away from home at their respective jobs, working 40 hours a week on average. They also spend more than an hour each day commuting to and from work. Lambertville’s picture-perfect veneer is also hiding the marital strife that many of its female residents have experienced, which is evident in the high percentage of divorced women.

Did you know: If the mention of ghosts gets your blood pressure to rise, you may want to avoid the ruins of Lambertville High School, which was abandoned in 1959 and burned down in 1992. Legend has it that it’s haunted by the ghost of a football player who tragically died in the middle of a big game. If someone challenges him to a race, the challenger will either die or disappear.

5. Belvidere

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 2,686 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 33.8 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 39.9
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 11.3% of males, 9.9% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 27.3%

Located in northwest New Jersey along the Delaware River, Belvidere shares many qualities with Lambertville. Like Lambertville, the town of Belvidere is small, picturesque, and one of the safest and most affordable cities on our list. Locals take great pride in the city’s history and celebrate the city’s heritage during Victorian Days, when people dress up in period costumes. Although Belvidere is a small town, residents still work just as hard as some of their bigger city counterparts. The average workweek in Belvidere is nearly 40 hours a week, and residents spend more than an hour commuting to and from work. The percentage of income that residents spend on housing is relatively low, but because it is slightly higher than that of Lambertville residents, Belvidere earned its ranking as the fifth most stressful city in New Jersey.

Did you know: Just south of Belvidere on the Delaware River is Foul Rift, a Class II rapids. It’s considered one of the most dangerous parts of the river because of the 22-foot drop in elevation within a half mile stretch.

4. Long Branch

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 249.2 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 31.4 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.6
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 11.3% of males, 13% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 33.7%

Much like Asbury Park, Long Branch was one of the first ocean-side resort cities in the U.S. At its peak, it was considered a “Hollywood of the East” because of its popularity among people in the entertainment industry, as well as a few presidents. Although the area has seen a decline since the beginning of the 20th century, its boardwalk still attracts a high number of tourists each year. It may be hard to imagine a vacation destination as a stressful place to live, but Long Branch manages to be both luxurious and stressful at the same time. The high cost of housing may have something to do with it, as residents spend the second highest percentage of their income on housing on our list. Aside from the obvious money problems that might be caused by high housing costs, it seems that many residents are hiding relationship problems as well. A relatively high percentage of men are divorced in Long Branch. Lastly, the crime rate and average daily commute are both higher than in many other cities in our study.

Did you know: The men of Long Branch aren’t the only ones to have relationship problems. The poet, critic, and screenwriter Dorothy Parker was born in Long Branch in 1893. Many of her poems were about loneliness and lost loves, but she was able to write about it with her characteristic wit.

3. North Wildwood

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 175.3 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 24.7 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 41.2
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 11.1% of males, 15.6% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 29.7%

Together with Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood, and Diamond Beach, North Wildwood makes up a part of The Wildwoods, a resort island known for its boardwalk and wide sandy beach. The area is New Jersey’s second largest tourist destination after Atlantic City, attracting 9 million tourists each year. However, when the summer ends and the tourists go home, the realities of real life set in. Someone has to put in the work to make the area the tourist draw that it is, and North Wildwood locals are the ones who shoulder that burden. Residents work around 41.2 hours a week on average, which makes them the hardest working bunch on our list. Crime is also a problem in North Wildwood, as its crime rate of 1 in 175.3 residents is one of the highest on our list as well. The cost of housing is also quite high compared to the median income. Although residents put less than 30% of their income into their homes, they are right on the cusp of going over the recommended limit. In short, new residents to the area should be prepared to pay for the seaside location with their time and money.

Did you know: The cost of housing may be a source of stress for North Wildwood residents, but at least they live near an Urban Enterprise Zone, which can help cut down expenses. Instead of paying the 7% sales tax rate of New Jersey, shoppers pay only 3.5%.

2. West New York

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 257.7 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 33.9 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 39.1
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 10% of males, 11.8% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 30.8%

Despite its name, the town of West New York is still very much a part of New Jersey. As its name suggests, West New York is in close proximity to New York City and sits just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Much like its next-door neighbor Union City, the embroidery industry of the North Hudson region attracted first-generation immigrants, many of whom put down roots in West New York. At first glance, it’s surprising that West New York ranked so high on our list, but its consistently high rankings in nearly all of our stress indicators suggest that residents are likely to find themselves under pressure on a daily basis. Both the commute and average workweek aren’t the highest on our list, but when combined, they make it difficult to have a personal life or time to relax. Residents work nearly 40 hours a week and commute more than an hour each day. Although the percentage of their monthly paycheck that’s spent on housing isn’t the highest on our list, it is still above average. Its crime rate also isn’t favorable, adding to the sense that laid-back living is difficult to do here.

Did you know: West New York’s crime rate may not be the highest in our study, but locals should still be wary of the amount of gang activity in their city. Just recently, a leader of the Salvadoran gang, MS-13, admitted to conspiring to murder a rival in order to open up more distribution channels for drugs.

1. Guttenberg

• Odds of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 315.4 inhabitants
  
• Commute time: 36.6 minutes
  
• Average hours worked per week: 38.8
  
• Percentage of divorcees: 14.1% of males, 20% of females
  
• Percentage of income spent on housing: 33.3%

The town of Guttenberg may only be four blocks wide, but it contains a lot of stress within its confines. Guttenberg is a close neighbor to both West New York and Union City, and like them, its residents deal with a lot of pressure on a daily basis. Although Guttenberg is a small city in a central location, the daily commute is the longest on our list. Guttenberg is also home to the highest percentage of divorced men in our study, as well as the second highest percentage of divorced women. The cause of the high incidence of marital strife is yet to be known, but finances may have something to do with it. Locals spend one of the highest percentages of their income on housing in our study, 33.3%. Long commute times, high housing costs, and marital problems make this city the most stressful city in New Jersey.

Did you know: As if Guttenberg residents didn’t have enough to worry about, it seems that their politics are also cause for some stress. The city has seen a number of recent political scandals, including the convictions of Mayor David Delle Donna for federal extortion and mail fraud charges, and former mayor Peter Lavilla for using campaign funds for a private brokerage account.

New Jersey is a true melting pot of cultures, and like its population, residents’ experiences are just as varied. Some cities are stressful because of the long commute; others are stressful because of the high cost of living. Marital problems, traffic, work pressure, and housing costs can all add up and make a seemingly peaceful city very stressful. It’s important to remember that each city has its pros and cons, but stress in the above cities is something that residents must learn to navigate.