According to a study conducted by WalletHub, Washington, DC has been named the hardest-working city in America, surpassing New York, which came in at 99th place. Factors that contributed to DC’s ranking included the highest share of workers leaving vacation time unused, with 64% of workers doing so. The study used 11 metrics to determine a city’s rank, including direct work factors like average hours worked per week and employment rate, as well as indirect factors like workers holding multiple jobs and average commute time.
The average American works about 35 hours per week, but DC residents ranked third for highest hours worked per week. Many also have long commutes to work, with the average commute in DC being 30.1 minutes compared to New York City, where the average commute time is 31.4 minutes. This could be a contributing factor to DC’s high ranking on the list. Irving, Texas, took the second spot on the list due to having the lowest share of households where no adults work and ranking ninth for longest hours worked and less leisure time.
Despite the study’s findings, many New Yorkers disagreed with New York’s low ranking on the list. Residents expressed surprise and disbelief at the results, citing the high cost of living and long work hours necessary to afford life in the city. Some shared their own experiences of working long hours six to seven days a week and felt that New Yorkers work hard and deserved a higher ranking. However, one resident suggested that the state’s assistance programs may lead to some people being less motivated to work, making them ‘lazy.’
Overall, the study highlighted Washington, DC’s position as the hardest-working city in America, with factors like long work hours and commutes contributing to their high ranking. New York’s 99th place on the list surprised many residents who felt that the city should have ranked higher based on the hard work and long hours required to survive in the expensive city. The study’s methodology and results generated discussion among New Yorkers, with some agreeing and others disagreeing with the findings. The study’s data and rankings shed light on the work ethic and lifestyle of residents in different cities across America.
