HOUSTON — Life in Texas may be larger than life, but it comes with a heavy dose of stress. According to a new WalletHub report, the Lone Star State ranks as the 15th most stressed state in the U.S. for 2026.
The study evaluated all 50 states using 40 indicators of stress, including work hours, credit scores, sleep quality, and overall health. While Texas ranked first nationally for job security, residents face long workweeks and financial strain, with the state tied for the second-highest average hours worked and fourth-lowest median credit scores. Health factors also contributed, with Texas ranking seventh-worst in the nation for the share of residents in fair or poor health and insufficient sleep.
Nationally, Louisiana topped the list as the most stressed state, followed by Kentucky and New Mexico, while South Dakota, Utah, and Minnesota emerged as the least stressed.
WalletHub analysts note that while personal habits like exercise and hobbies can help reduce stress, geography plays a major role. For Texans, the findings suggest a workforce that is gainfully employed but burdened by long hours and significant health pressures.
