A study by Ben’s Natural Health analyzed 31 U.S. cities to find the ten most relaxed ones worth living in 2024. The metrics for each city, including the Healthcare Index, Share of Adults Diagnosed with Depression, Unemployment Rate, Number of Parks, Green Index by State, Number of Wellness and Spa Centers, Work-life Balance (Average Working Hours), and Health Club Membership Rate, were sourced from publicly available datasets. Each factor was equally weighted, and the scores were averaged to create an overall Relaxation Index. Cities were then ranked based on this index, with higher scores indicating more relaxed environments.
| State | City | Population | Healthcare Index | Share of Adults Diagnosed with Depression | Unemployment Rate | Parks | Green Index by State | Wellness and Spa Centers | Work-life Balance (Average Working Hours) | Health Club Membership Rate (%) | Total Index |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis | 425,096 | 71.46 | 20.2 (19.4–21.0) | 3.80% | 206 | 70.13 | 67 | 39.6 | 25.20% | 69.19105266 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | 650,706 | 72.7 | 18.2 (16.8–19.5) | 4.60% | 140 | 71.56 | 92 | 39.5 | 28.60% | 67.79064985 |
| Florida | Miami | 449,514 | 63.43 | 14.7 (13.4–16.0) | 3.00% | 177 | 50.27 | 307 | 42 | 23.10% | 67.10194663 |
| Colorado | Denver | 713,252 | 69.19 | 18.5 (17.6–19.4) | 4.50% | 142 | 67.58 | 191 | 38.3 | 24.80% | 64.60082336 |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | 204,657 | 68.43 | 22.7 (21.8–23.7) | 3.60% | 58 | 56.61 | 76 | 39.3 | 25.70% | 60.87856621 |
| Washington | Seattle | 749,256 | 71.47 | 23.5 (22.5–24.5) | 4.70% | 263 | 69.67 | 156 | 39.6 | 24.60% | 60.8402443 |
| Virginia | Virginia Beach | 455,618 | 73.61 | 17.4 (16.3–18.5) | 3.10% | 51 | 63.73 | 108 | 40.9 | 24.10% | 60.22745946 |
| New York | New York City | 8336000 | 62.64 | 16.7 (15.9–17.7) | 5.00% | 347 | 77.72 | 979 | 40.1 | 29.70% | 59.7649238 |
| South Carolina | Charleston | 153,672 | 69.71 | 21.5 (19.7–23.3) | 4.00% | 50 | 56.44 | 64 | 38.2 | 19.00% | 59.24332793 |
| California | Los Angeles | 3822000 | 61.32 | 14.1 (12.8–15.5) | 6.60% | 126 | 75.46 | 498 | 40.2 | 29.20% | 58.82175086 |
Minneapolis, MN, tops the list as the most relaxed city with an impressive score of 69.19. It stands out for its high Healthcare Index, a low unemployment rate of 3.8%. The city also offers 206 parks, the third-highest on the list, contributing to its strong Green Index of 70.13. The combination of these factors contributes significantly to its high ranking, making it an ideal place for a balanced lifestyle.
Boston, MA, ranks second with a score of 67.79. The city has the highest Health Club Membership Rate at 28.6% and the second-highest Healthcare Index of 72.7. Despite a slightly higher unemployment rate than Minneapolis, Boston offers a great work-life balance, making it one of the most relaxed cities.
Miami, FL, is third with a score of 67.10. It has the lowest unemployment rate at 3% and the second-lowest share of adults diagnosed with depression. Additionally, Miami has the highest number of wellness and spa centers (307), making it an attractive destination for those seeking relaxation.
Denver, CO, ranks fourth with a score of 64.60. It has a high Healthcare Index of 69.19 and offers a shorter average working week, which contributes to a strong work-life balance of 38.3. While it has fewer parks than Minneapolis at 142, Denver provides plenty of opportunities for relaxation.
Salt Lake City, UT, is fifth with a score of 60.88. Although it has fewer parks than other cities on the list, the city’s low unemployment rate of 3.6% and a strong Health Club Membership Rate of 25.70% make it a relaxed environment for residents.
Seattle, WA, ranks sixth with a score of 60.84. Seattle has the second-highest number of parks totaling at 263 and a high Healthcare Index of 71.47, which contributes to its rank. Despite a slightly higher share of adults diagnosed with depression at 23.5, Seattle’s extensive green spaces make it a great city for relaxation.
Virginia Beach, VA, takes seventh place with a score of 60.23. It has the highest Healthcare Index of 73.61 among the top 10 and a low unemployment rate at 3.1%, although it offers fewer parks compared to other cities.
New York City, NY, ranks eighth with a score of 59.76. Despite having the most parks (347) and the highest Green Index of 77.72, the city has a higher unemployment rate and longer working hours, making it less relaxed overall compared to the top cities.
Charleston, SC, is ninth with a score of 59.24. It has a relatively low share of adults diagnosed with depression and one of the shorter average working hours of 38.2, contributing to its relaxed atmosphere despite having fewer parks.
Los Angeles, CA, rounds out the top ten with a score of 58.82. While it has a high Green Index at 75.46, and the second-highest number of wellness centers at 498, its higher unemployment rate and longer working hours make it the least relaxed among the top-ranked cities.
A spokesperson from Ben’s Natural Health commented on the study: “It’s clear that achieving a relaxed lifestyle goes beyond just one aspect, like access to parks or a low unemployment rate. It is important to consider a balanced combination of factors – from healthcare quality to work-life balance – in creating a truly stress-free environment. Communities that prioritize these elements are more likely to foster spaces where individuals feel less stressed and more engaged. It’s a testament to how a holistic approach, considering both physical and mental well-being, is essential for creating an atmosphere of true relaxation.”