Washington, D.C

Washington, DC Tops List Of 'America's Hardest-Working Cities'

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2024

Washington, DC Tops List Of 'America's Hardest-Working Cities'

In a nation known for its strong work ethic, some cities stand out as shining examples of the American spirit. After all, work is the backbone of the American dream. A recent study by WalletHub set out to identify the hardest-working cities in the United States, comparing 116 of the most populated cities across 11 key metrics. Who came out on top? Results point to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC!

The study offers a fascinating insight into the work habits of Americans and the factors that contribute to a city’s overall work ethic. Conducted in February 2024, researchers looked at two main dimensions: “Direct Work Factors” and “Indirect Work Factors.” Direct Work Factors, which accounted for 80% of the total score, included metrics such as average workweek hours, employment rate, and the share of households where no adults work. Indirect Work Factors, which made up the remaining 20%, considered aspects like average commute time, the share of workers with multiple jobs, and annual volunteer hours per resident.

With that said, let’s take a look at the full list!

Hardest-Working Cities in the U.S.

Overall Rank*	City	Total Score	Direct Work Factors Rank	Indirect Work Factors Rank
1	Washington, DC	76.97	4	9
2	Irving, TX	76.39	1	46
3	Cheyenne, WY	76.15	7	27
4	Virginia Beach, VA	75.79	8	11
5	Anchorage, AK	75.55	3	85
6	Norfolk, VA	75.27	9	14
7	Dallas, TX	75.21	5	32
8	San Francisco, CA	74.67	6	40
9	Denver, CO	73.93	12	22
10	Austin, TX	73.82	2	79
11	Sioux Falls, SD	73.56	11	74
12	Corpus Christi, TX	73.44	10	76
13	Plano, TX	72.84	14	38
14	Fort Worth, TX	72.14	16	30
15	Arlington, TX	72.12	15	31
16	Chesapeake, VA	71.85	30	7
17	Aurora, CO	71.68	24	16
18	Laredo, TX	70.98	23	62
19	Garland, TX	70.90	25	21
20	Nashville, TN	70.52	13	77
21	Manchester, NH	70.24	34	35
22	Omaha, NE	70.00	36	25
23	Raleigh, NC	69.92	29	29
24	Charlotte, NC	69.89	33	24
25	Chandler, AZ	69.74	20	64
26	Scottsdale, AZ	69.70	17	78
27	Houston, TX	69.24	26	51
28	Gilbert, AZ	68.75	31	50
29	Tampa, FL	68.55	19	97
30	Boston, MA	68.45	49	3
31	Fremont, CA	68.22	37	33
32	Seattle, WA	68.05	51	6
33	Atlanta, GA	67.86	32	69
34	Portland, ME	67.72	40	57
35	Colorado Springs, CO	67.43	52	17
36	Oklahoma City, OK	66.95	22	101
37	Indianapolis, IN	66.91	47	18
38	St. Petersburg, FL	66.78	28	100
39	Orlando, FL	66.71	21	107
40	Jacksonville, FL	66.42	18	109
41	Lubbock, TX	66.40	39	98
42	Baltimore, MD	66.38	71	2
43	San Antonio, TX	66.14	35	86
44	Salt Lake City, UT	66.02	66	5
45	Phoenix, AZ	65.90	41	54
46	Durham, NC	65.80	43	88
47	Fargo, ND	65.52	48	63
48	Little Rock, AR	65.32	38	115
49	Kansas City, MO	65.25	50	41
50	San Jose, CA	65.19	42	55
51	Miami, FL	64.91	27	114
52	Oakland, CA	64.67	53	42
53	Boise, ID	64.18	63	48
54	Portland, OR	64.17	83	1
55	El Paso, TX	64.13	64	43
56	Jersey City, NJ	63.89	58	37
57	Louisville, KY	63.82	57	34
58	Honolulu, HI	63.72	46	110
59	Tulsa, OK	63.57	45	111
60	Billings, MT	63.48	62	66
61	Minneapolis, MN	62.77	77	13
62	Des Moines, IA	62.75	69	67
63	Lexington-Fayette, KY	62.52	54	102
64	Wichita, KS	62.36	56	105
65	Glendale, AZ	62.34	70	47
66	Jackson, MS	62.11	60	106
67	San Diego, CA	61.95	59	80
68	Columbus, OH	61.94	65	59
69	Irvine, CA	61.62	55	89
70	Fort Wayne, IN	61.56	68	93
71	Hialeah, FL	61.44	44	112
72	Santa Ana, CA	61.29	61	87
73	Lincoln, NE	61.25	82	28
74	Mesa, AZ	61.13	72	61
75	Long Beach, CA	60.69	74	65
76	St. Louis, MO	60.65	81	36
77	St. Paul, MN	60.56	85	12
78	Anaheim, CA	60.49	73	75
79	Reno, NV	60.45	75	90
80	Los Angeles, CA	60.14	76	60
81	Chula Vista, CA	60.11	78	53
82	Winston-Salem, NC	59.59	79	92
83	Henderson, NV	59.19	80	71
84	Philadelphia, PA	58.52	98	8
85	Birmingham, AL	58.29	67	108
86	North Las Vegas, NV	58.14	84	49
87	Chicago, IL	57.71	89	39
88	Las Vegas, NV	57.28	88	58
89	Cincinnati, OH	57.23	97	20
90	Bakersfield, CA	56.29	93	72
91	Albuquerque, NM	56.16	92	84
92	Memphis, TN	55.91	91	73
93	Riverside, CA	55.36	94	68
94	New Orleans, LA	55.26	87	96
95	Greensboro, NC	55.08	96	94
96	Sacramento, CA	54.96	90	95
97	Wilmington, DE	54.60	95	81
98	Pittsburgh, PA	54.41	104	19
99	New York, NY	53.70	101	44
100	Baton Rouge, LA	53.43	100	91
101	Madison, WI	52.98	99	104
102	Milwaukee, WI	52.85	108	10
103	Charleston, WV	52.61	86	116
104	Stockton, CA	52.28	106	15
105	Tucson, AZ	51.94	102	99
106	Providence, RI	51.60	107	26
107	San Bernardino, CA	50.62	105	83
108	Columbia, SC	50.33	103	113
109	Cleveland, OH	50.00	110	23
110	Fresno, CA	48.86	109	82
111	Bridgeport, CT	48.31	112	4
112	Toledo, OH	47.50	111	52
113	Newark, NJ	43.19	113	45
114	Buffalo, NY	39.22	114	103
115	Detroit, MI	39.08	115	70
116	Burlington, VT	34.43	116	56

Note: *No. 1 = Hardest Working
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

A Closer Look At The Top 3

So why did Washington, D.C. emerge as the hardest-working city? This is due, in part, to the city having the highest share of workers who leave vacation time unused at 64%. Residents of D.C. also work the third-most hours per week on average and are willing to take relatively long commutes to work, adding over 30 minutes to their workday. Additionally, more than 30% of the District’s residents are members of local volunteer groups or organizations, showcasing their dedication to their community.

Irving, TX, secured the second spot on the list, largely because it has the lowest share of households where no adults work, at only 11%. Irving also ranks ninth in the country for the mean number of hours worked per week. However, this hard work comes at a cost, with Irving residents having significantly less leisure time compared to people in most other cities.

Cheyenne, WY, rounded out the top three, with residents putting in the third-most hours per week, on average. The city boasts one of the highest employment rates in the country, at over 97%, meaning nearly all working-age residents are employed. Cheyenne also has the seventh-highest rate of workers with multiple jobs, at nearly 7%. As a result, people in Cheyenne have the third-lowest amount of leisure time, on average.

Methodology

The WalletHub study employed a comprehensive methodology to determine the hardest-working cities in America. The research team evaluated 116 of the most populated cities using two key dimensions: “Direct Work Factors” and “Indirect Work Factors.” These dimensions were assessed using 11 key metrics, each graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the “hardest-working.”

The Direct Work Factors dimension, which accounted for 80% of the total score, included six metrics. The average workweek hours were given the highest weight (triple weight, ~36.92 points), as this metric directly measures the time spent working. The employment rate and the share of households where no adults work were both given full weight (~12.31 points each), as they provide insight into the overall employment situation in each city. The share of workers leaving vacation time unused and the share of engaged workers (a state-level metric) were assigned half weight (~6.15 points each), as they relate to work dedication and engagement. Finally, the idle youth (16-24) rate was also given half weight, as it indicates the proportion of young people not engaged in work or education.

The Indirect Work Factors dimension, which made up the remaining 20% of the total score, included five metrics, each given full weight (~4.00 points). The average commute time was included as it can significantly impact the total time spent on work-related activities. The share of workers with multiple jobs (a state-level metric) was considered as it reflects the need for some individuals to work more than one job. Annual volunteer hours per resident and the share of residents who participate in local groups or organizations were included to account for community engagement and additional time commitments outside of paid work. Lastly, the average leisure time spent per day (a state-level metric) was considered as it relates to work-life balance.

To calculate the overall score for each city, the researchers determined the weighted average across all 11 metrics. The resulting scores were then used to rank-order the cities from hardest-working to least hard-working. To ensure a geographically diverse sample, the study included at least one city from each of the 50 states. It is important to note that the term “city” in this study refers specifically to the city proper and does not include the surrounding metropolitan area.

By employing this multi-faceted approach, the WalletHub study aimed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the work ethic in American cities. The methodology takes into account both direct measures of work, such as hours worked and employment rates, as well as indirect factors that can impact work-life balance and overall quality of life. This detailed analysis allows for a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to a city’s overall work ethic and provides valuable insights for policymakers, employers, and residents alike.

Source link

Related Topics:america Featured washington work ethic

Click to comment

Washington, D.C

Storm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Storm Team4 Forecast: A chilly, gusty Sunday before a cool start to the week

4 things to know about the weather:

Chances of rain in the morning
Gusty Sunday
Chilly Monday
Temps will rise again through the work week

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

After a nice and warm Saturday, changes arrive for part two of the weekend.

The first half of your Sunday will have a chance for showers. Winds will pick up with our next system and are expected to gust to about 20-30 mph. Cooler air will settle in, and lows Sunday night fall into the 40s.

Highs temps Monday will reach only into the mid to upper 50s.

However, temperatures will rise through the week, so you won’t need your jackets every day.

QuickCast

SUNDAY:
Showers, then partly cloudy
Wind: NW 10-15 mph
Gusts @ 30 mph
HIGH: Lower 60s

MONDAY:
Partly cloudy
Wind: NW 10-15 mph
Gusts @ 25 mph
HIGH: Upper 50s

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

Source link

Washington, D.C

‘It’s a twilight zone’: Iran war casts deep shadows over IMF gathering in Washington

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

‘It’s a twilight zone’: Iran war casts deep shadows over IMF gathering in Washington

The most severe energy shock since the 1970s, the risk of a global recession and households everywhere stomaching a renewed surge in the cost of living – hitting the most vulnerable hardest.

In a sweltering hot Washington DC this week, the message at the International Monetary Fund meetings was chilling: things had been looking up for living standards around the world. But then came the Iran war.

“Some countries are in panic,” said the fund’s managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, addressing the finance ministers and central bank bosses in town for the IMF and World Bank spring meetings. “The sooner it [the Iran war] ends, the better for everybody.”

Such gatherings are not typically used to fight geopolitical battles. “You don’t get people shouting at one another at these things,” one senior figure remarked. But, as a record-breaking April heatwave swept the US capital, no one could ignore the mounting damage from the Iran war.

Those familiar with the mood over breakfast at a meeting of the G20’s representatives on Thursday, which included Donald Trump’s treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, and the outgoing US Federal Reserve chair, Jerome Powell – said the atmosphere in the room was sombre amid an open exchange of serious views.

“It is such a twilight-zone meeting,” said Mohamed El-Erian, a former IMF deputy managing director who is now chief economic adviser at the Allianz insurance group. “There are several shadows hanging over it: one is the shadow that comes from concern about the global economy as a whole.

“The second is that some countries are going to be particularly hard hit, and it’s mostly countries that very few people are talking about. But the third concern is the adding of insult to injury: the fact that the US, which started a war of choice, is going to be hit, but by a lot less than elsewhere in relative terms.”

Before Thursday’s breakfast, Rachel Reeves had started her day with an early-morning jog. Joined by her counterparts from Spain, Australia and New Zealand for a run down the iconic National Mall, she posted an Instagram selfie with a not-so-subtle dig: “Friends that run together – work together.”

A day earlier, the chancellor had told a CNBC conference that she thought “friends are allowed to disagree on things” as she criticised Trump’s Iran war as a “mistake” and a “folly” that had not made the world safer.

Rachel Reeves posted this image on Instagram from Washington DC on Thursday with the message: ‘Friends that run together – work together.’ Photograph: Rachel Reeves/Instagram

Speaking at a venue just steps away from the White House, before a one-on-one meeting with Bessent, she said this “fair message” was needed because UK families and businesses were feeling the pain from higher energy prices triggered by the conflict.

Those close to Reeves insist her meeting remained cordial. Britain and the US have significant shared interests in AI, financial services and trade. The chancellor also said the UK government had little time for the Iranian regime.

But with the IMF having warned on Tuesday that the Iran war could risk a global recession – in which Britain would be the biggest G7 casualty – it was clear Reeves had travelled to Washington ready to pick a fight.

“I’m struck by how vocal she has been and the words she used,” said one global financier. “We know the disagreement between Bessent and [European Central Bank president] Christine Lagarde earlier in the year. But that was in private.”

At a cocktail party held at the British ambassador’s residence for hundreds of diplomats and financiers – including the Bank of England’s governor, Andrew Bailey, the chief executive of Barclays, CS Venkatakrishnan, and dozens of senior figures – this transatlantic tension, weeks before King Charles’s US state visit, was a major topic of conversation.

The other, in the balmy residence gardens, was one of its former occupants, Peter Mandelson, as revelations about the former ambassador’s appointment threatened to further rock the UK government.

Before the war, the agenda for the IMF had been about global cooperation; the adoption of AI, jobs and work to eradicate poverty. Each of those tasks had now been complicated, but not least the task of countries working together.

For many at the meetings, the focus was on forging closer global cooperation without the world’s pre-eminent superpower.

“Everybody is talking about how you hedge against American decisions,” said David Miliband, the former UK foreign secretary, who now runs the International Rescue Committee. “You can’t do without them, because they’re 25% of the global economy. But, in a lot of fora, they’ve pulled out.

“So everyone has to think, how does one structure international cooperation? The old west is not coming back. And so everyone has to figure out how to position themselves for that world.”

For those gathering in Washington, there was irony in the fact that they were meeting in the halls of institutions founded, under US leadership, to promote global cooperation after the second world war. The whole idea of the Bretton Woods institutions was to avoid the dire economic conditions and warfare of the 1930s and 1940s. Yet this year’s meeting was taking place amid these intertwining problems.

In their conversations about the best economic policy response to the shock of conflict, the economists also knew the real power to make a difference lay two blocks across town from the IMF and the World Bank – behind the security cordons and construction equipment blocking the White House from public view. “It is not clear they can do anything about it,” said El-Erian.

Still, with a booming economy driven by AI – including Anthropic’s powerful Mythos model, the topic of much conversation – most countries cannot afford to completely break off US ties.

“People want to find ways to insulate themselves from the mess. But, on the other hand, they admire the US private sector,” El-Erian said. “The best way I’ve heard it put, is: they want to go long the private sector and short the mess. But it’s almost impossible to do.”

Source link