A new analysis from Remitly has named New York City the most stressful city in the world for 2025. The financial services company examined more than 170 major cities across five measurable factors to understand which places put the most pressure on residents. The ranking looked at average travel time for 10 kilometers, cost of living, healthcare quality, crime levels and annual pollution, combining each factor into a final stress score out of 10.
New York City landed at No. 1 with a stress score of 7.56, driven by long commutes, high crime rates and some of the world’s highest pollution levels. The city’s cost of living index sits at 100, making everyday essentials a major strain for many residents. A recent 2025 Cornell University study found that most New Yorkers cite rising living costs as their biggest concern. While strong healthcare and improving air quality offer some relief, financial pressure remains a defining part of life in the city that never sleeps.
Dublin followed New York as the second most stressed city with a score of 7.55, affected by long commutes and major affordability challenges. Mexico City ranked third, scoring 7.38, due to heavy congestion, high crime concerns and its massive population of more than 22 million people.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Eindhoven in the Netherlands ranked as the least stressed city, scoring just 2.34 out of 10. Short commute times, low crime and high-quality healthcare all helped push the Dutch city to the top. The Netherlands appears to be one of the calmest countries overall, with four cities in the global top 10 for lowest stress, including Utrecht, Groningen, and Rotterdam.
The most stressed cities in the world
- New York, United States
- Dublin, Republic of Ireland
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Manila, Philippines
- London, United Kingdom
- Milan, Italy
- Athens, Greece
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Turin, Italy
- Kolkata, India
