A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the most stressed state in the country. WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says of the four stress dimensions it looked at, Louisiana ranked in the top ten in all of them.
“First in work-related stress, third-highest money-related stress, sixth-highest family-related stress and second-highest health and safety-related stress,” Lupo said.
Lupo says Louisiana ranks as the most stressed state in large part because it has the highest poverty rate in the country and 16-percent of its residents haven’t seen a doctor in over a year due to the cost.
He says when it comes to financial stress, Louisianans tend to pay higher interest rates than those in other states. That’s because the state’s median credit score ranks close to the very bottom.
“Second-lowest leading credit score at 675. Now, to put that in perspective, a good credit score is considered between 700 and 749. 750 and up is excellent,” Lupo explained.
Lupo says one thing that Louisiana does have going for itself is the fact that it doesn’t exactly cost an exorbitant amount of money to put a roof over one’s head.
“To its credit, housing affordability is at 29th, so its’ right there in the middle of the pack; and good for Louisiana, because there is a huge number of high stress factors when it comes to money,” Lupo said.
WalletHub says the least stressed state in the country is South Dakota.
View the study at the following link: Most and Least Stressed States Study
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