In this article, we will look at the 20 most relaxed cities in the United States.

Relaxed Cities: An Escape from Workplace Stress

Workplace stresses are taking over the lives of employees all over the world. According to the data from the 2023 Work in America Survey, 77% of workers said that they had experienced work-related stress in the last working month. 57% of workers mentioned that they have been experiencing negative impacts because of workplace stress. Constant exposure to workplace stresses leads to burnout-like symptoms. 31% of the workers said they were experiencing emotional exhaustion, 26% had low motivation and 23% had a desire to quit.

The lack of proper breaks from work is adding to the distress of the workers in the United States. Only 35% of the survey respondents said that their employer supports a culture where breaks are encouraged. Furthermore, only 40% of the respondents said that their time off from work is respected by their employers. As employees become stressed out their engagement in their work falls.

According to the results of the State of the Global Workplace by Gallup, low employee engagement is causing a loss of almost $8.9 trillion in the global GDP. The high amount makes up 9% of global GDP. 52% of the employees showed an intent to leave their current jobs and mentioned how they are actively seeking better options. Therefore, maintaining a work-life harmony with reasonable breaks is likely to benefit the employees and employers alike.

Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being has made a list of five essentials for the well-being of the workers and workplace including work-life harmony. Work-life harmony directly correlates with the human need for autonomy and flexibility. The autonomy of how, when, and where a person works combined with the flexibility to take breaks has been seen to foster the psychological well-being of the workers. Workers with more autonomy over their time reported having good or excellent mental health, 79%, compared to the workers with less control, 44%.

With tourism rates returning to normal post-pandemic levels, taking a break from work stresses offers a good opportunity to take care of a person’s mental health and restore work-life harmony. On June 23, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported breaking the record for the most people screened in a single day, 2.99 million. The TSA forecasted the screening of almost 32 million individuals from June 27 through July 8. The numbers show a surge of 5.4% compared to the 2023 Independence Day holiday travel volumes. The high volumes of passengers imply the success of  TSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in securing the national transportation systems. The United States is one of the Countries with the Most Domestic Tourism in the World.

Return To Normal and Planning Trips

With the return of traveling, the outdoor recreation industry in the United States is thriving. According to the data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2022, the value added by the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.2% of the total gross domestic product (GDP). The percentage corresponded to a staggering $563.7 billion. The values among states varied widely from Hawaii adding 5.6% to Connecticut adding 1.4%. Incorporation of activities in the trip itinerary uplifts the whole trip. On May 14, Tripadvisor Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) released the results of its annual Summer Travel Index. 44% of the respondents said that they are planning to travel more than last year. Furthermore, 26% of Americans said that they are planning to spend more than $5,000 on their travels this summer. 85% of Americans said that experiences are an important part of their travel budget. Outdoor activities including amusements and water parks were at the top of the list with 32%.

Tripadvisor Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) is a noteworthy company that offers travel guidance, products, and services. It was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts. The company operates in three main segments namely Brand Tripadvisor, Viator, and TheFork. All platforms allow users to browse through reviews and ratings, left by other users, for a range of travel essentials including restaurants, accommodations, and experiences. Viator is focused on travel experiences and TheFork is restaurant-centric.

On May 8, the company reported the earnings for the fiscal first quarter of 2024. The company reported an EPS of $0.12, beating estimates by $0.08. The company’s revenue for the quarter grew by 6.47% and amounted to $395 million. Here are some comments from the company’s earnings call:

“We were pleased with our first quarter results, which represented a solid start to the year across the board. Revenue was $395 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 6%, and adjusted EBITDA was $47 million, or 12% of revenue. Our results are a testament to our aligned strategy and the disciplined financial and operational execution of our teams.”

The company mentioned that its primary markets are English-speaking countries and North America. It is leveraging the latest technologies including AI to deliver more personalized experiences and increased engagement. AI-powered trip planning flow is a tool that allows Tripadvisor to suggest bookable experiences based on user preferences. The users select a theme for their trip from various options including hidden gems or historical landmarks. AI then makes relevant suggestions for bookable experiences. Users with commerce-focused interests have been noted to generate 50% higher average revenue than others.

On June 25, the company announced a collaboration with Amazon. The partnership entails the integration of Viator’s catalog of travel experiences into Amazon’s Alexa Smart Properties. An Echo Show device, present in the room, will enable the guests to see local travel activities using the Viator experience on Alexa. Users will use intuitive voice and touch interactions to browse. Guests will be able to find new activities and book them using a QR code on their in-room device screen. It will allow hoteliers to enhance in-room concierge services. The collaboration will also generate additional revenue for hotels through bookings made via the Echo Show devices, with a revenue share arrangement.

Platforms like Tripadvisor allow users to plan their trips efficiently and gather insights from the experiences of other people. One of the main reasons people travel is to relax and refresh themselves. We have made a list of the most relaxed cities in the United States. You can also read the 15 Most Unique and Unusual Museums in the World.

Our Methodology 

To make our list of the 20 most relaxed cities in the United States, we initially compiled a list of the 40 best places to live in New Jersey by sifting through 5 online rankings. After making the list, we turned to Reddit to conduct a sentiment analysis and found 15 high-engagement threads that mentioned the most relaxed cities in the United States. We have only used threads with at least 100 comments for our ranking. After reading all the comments, we aggregated and tabulated the number of upvotes for each place. We have only included places with at least 150 upvotes in our list. Upvotes have been used as a primary metric for this list. The list has been arranged in the ascending order of the primary metric.

Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not reflect our opinion. The ranking is solely based on the opinions of Reddit users.

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20 Most Relaxed Cities in the United States

20. Asheville

Upvotes: 160

Asheville is located in North Carolina. The beautiful city is situated at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers. The city has a vibrant culture and offers diverse dining experiences. The moderate temperature of the city enables the visitors to enjoy various activities regardless of the time of the year. The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville offer relaxing experiences close to nature.

19. Jacksonville

Upvotes: 173

Jacksonville is located in Florida. It is one of the most relaxed cities in the United States. One of the distinguishing features of the city is the long shoreline full of mesmerizing beaches. It also has a rich culture and attractions including the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Residents and visitors have a range of activities to choose from including fishing and boating.

18. Chattanooga

Upvotes: 178

Chattanooga is located in Tennessee with the Tennessee River flowing beside it. It is surrounded by Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and Signal Mountain which adds to the scenic beauty of the city. People can enjoy outdoor activities including rafting and hiking. The Tennessee Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

17. Memphis

Upvotes: 180

Memphis is located in Tennessee. The city has a rich culture and music is a significant part of it. The Beale Street and Graceland are among the most popular attractions in the city. Graceland is the former home of Elvis Presley which has been turned into a museum. The proximity of the city to the Mississippi River has fostered a robust logistics and transportation industry.

16. Kansas City

Upvotes: 191

Kansas City is situated in Missouri. It is one of the most relaxed cities in the United States. The National World War I Museum and Memorial, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and the American Jazz Museum are among the top tourist attractions in the city. It is a lively city that hosts many events annually including the American Royal World Series of Barbecue.

15. Charlotte

Upvotes: 203

Charlotte is located in North Carolina. It is one of the most important financial centers in the country. It has the headquarters of several financial institutions including the Bank of America. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a bustling airport welcoming and seeing off a large number of people from across the globe daily.

14. Savannah

Upvotes: 297

Savannah is a significant city in the state of Georgia. The city is renowned for its hospitality and culture. The city’s rich history is reflected in its architecture and landmarks including the Savannah Historic District. The city welcomes a huge influx of visitors every year. Savannah is also an important Atlantic seaport.

13. Pittsburgh

Upvotes: 317

Pittsburgh is located in Pennsylvania. It is one of the most relaxed cities in the United States. The city has beautiful scenic views as it is situated at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers. It has a diversified economy with several thriving industries including education, technology, and financial services. The Carnegie Museums and the Phipps Conservatory are among the most popular tourist attractions.

12. Portland

Upvotes: 436

Portland is situated in Oregon. The city has a rich culture and food scene with a large number of top-notch restaurants and food carts. The beautiful city is full of greenery with locations including the Forest Park adding to it. The Forest Park is a noteworthy urban forest in the United States. The International Rose Test Garden and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry are some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

11. San Antonio

Upvotes: 462

San Antonio is a city in Texas. The city has a diverse economy with major industries including education, tourism, and manufacturing. The city has a rich history and rich culture. The Spanish and Mexican influences on the culture are reflected in festivals and cuisines in the city. The River Walk is among the most popular tourist attractions in San Antonio.

10. Atlanta

Upvotes: 465

Atlanta is located in the state of Georgia. It is one of the most relaxed cities in the United States. The city is a popular tourist attraction with sites including the Georgia Aquarium and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Atlanta is a central transportation hub with Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport bustling all year round.

9. Austin

Upvotes: 558

Austin is located in Texas and is the capital of the state. It has a thriving technological sector with major tech companies headquartered in the city. It is a favored destination among tourists with sites including the Barton Springs Pool and Mount Bonnell. There is a large number of live music concerts that take place in the city with people around the globe attending them.

8. Seattle

Upvotes: 560

Seattle is located in the state of Washington and is the largest city in the state. The beautiful city is surrounded by the Olympic Mountains on one side and the Cascade Range on the other. The city has a strong technological sector with companies including Amazon headquartered in the city. The Space Needle, the Pike Place Market, and the Kerry Park are among the top tourist attractions in the city.

7. Minneapolis

Upvotes: 593

Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota and is one of the most relaxed cities in the United States. The city has a diverse temperature range from a cold winter to a hot and humid summer. The city is home to important financial institutions including the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The relaxed city has a rich cultural scene, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center being the hub for cultural activities.

6. Nashville

Upvotes: 635

Nashville is located in the state of Tennessee. The laid-back city has a rich music culture, especially in country music. The city’s ties with music are reflected in its institutions including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Ryman Auditorium. Education, insurance, and tourism are among the top industries in the city.

5. Boston

Upvotes: 642

Boston is located in Massachusetts. The city has a rich history with important events including the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party taking place there. The Freedom Trail, the Fenway Park, and the Museum of Fine Arts are among the most popular tourist attractions in the city. It also offers a range of indoor and outdoor activities for visitors including swimming and hiking.