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Two Wisconsin Cities Rank in Least-Stressful Places to Live

Andreas Rentz
/
Getty Images

If these have seemed like stressful times, relief – according to a recent study – could be found nearby. Wisconsin was the only state in the country with two cities in the top ten list of least-stressful places to live.

Madison ranked fourth and Eau Claire fifth on the list, which was compiled by the technology and personal finance website, SmartAsset.

In ranking a city's stress, high rates of physical activity, entertainment establishments, and plentiful sleep tend to boost ratings while factors like hours of work each week, the length of commutes, and unemployment rates fuel negative results according to vice president of content AJ Smith.

In Madison factors like "sleep per night and the unemployment rate being very low are both positive factors for thinking about where you want to settle down and attracting new businesses," Smith explains.

Above Madison and Eau Claire on the list are Duluth, MN at third, Iowa City, IA at second, and Boulder, CO at first. You can find the full list along with the study here.