10 cities with the best work-life balance, from Boise to Honolulu

As the workforce recovers from massive layoffs and the lingering effects of historic inflation, there's nothing employees won't do to find a valuable gig that supports their work-life separation — including moving to a new city for a fresh start. But some communities strike a better balance than others. 

Seventy-two percent of workers believe work-life balance is a very important factor when choosing a job, according to workplace insight platform Zippia, and 57% of job-seekers say a poor work-life balance is a dealbreaker when they're considering a new job. 

"Workplace-related stress can compound overtime and lead to serious health issues, so it's important to find flexibility at work as well as healthy outlets to enjoy your free time outside of work," says Collin Czarnecki, a researcher with HowToStartAnLLC.org, a business-building platform that recently curated a list of cities with the best work-life balance. "With remote work opportunities continuing to decline nationwide, workers face the risk of additional stressors such as a return to commuting and a reduction in leisure time." 

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The site analyzed a number of factors related to work intensity, health and wellness, income growth, and overall economic stability, as well as data from 170 of the most populated cities across the country that included factors like commute times and average working hours per week. 

Madison, Wisconsin, topped the platform's list with one of the shortest average commutes at just 19.3 minutes. The state also excels in terms of residents' health and wellness — 95.5% of workers in Madison have health insurance and the area maintains a ratio of 220:1 population to mental health providers. Fort Collins, Colorado, came in second place with a slightly shorter average commute of 19.1 minutes and a commitment to flexible work: according to the Census Bureau, two in 10 workers who live in Fort Collins work remotely.      

Overall, the West Coast is most dedicated to preserving employees' work-life balance. Among the top 50 cities for work-life balance, 11 are located in California, and five can be found in Colorado. 

"Creating a work environment that gives employees flexibility such as hybrid or remote work options, staggered shifts, as well as offering PTO, health insurance plans, and mental health days, can not only boost morale but also enhance productivity and build a stronger workplace," Czarnecki says. 

See what other cities topped the list: