Texas Cities Dominate New Work Ethic Rankings, Louisiana Lags Behind

Study shows Texas cities like Irving, Dallas, and Austin among the hardest working in the U.S., while New Orleans is Louisiana's only city to crack the Top 100

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A new study by WalletHub has found that Texas cities are leading the nation in work ethic, with several major cities like Irving, Dallas, and Austin ranking in the top 10 hardest working cities. In contrast, Louisiana only had one city, New Orleans, make the top 100 list, highlighting a significant gap in work culture between the two states.

Why it matters

The findings underscore the longstanding rivalry and economic competition between Texas and Louisiana, with Texas cementing its reputation as a hub of industrious, hard-working residents. The results also raise questions about factors that contribute to work ethic, such as economic opportunities, industry composition, and cultural values.

The details

To determine the hardest working cities, WalletHub analyzed metrics like average work week hours, employment rate, share of workers leaving vacation time unused, work commute times, and share of households where no adults work. Texas dominated the rankings, with 13 cities making the top 100 list. In contrast, Louisiana only had New Orleans crack the top 100, coming in at #100, with Baton Rouge finishing just outside at #106.

  • The study was released on February 27, 2026.

The players

WalletHub

A personal finance website that conducts research and analysis on economic and financial topics.

Texas

The state that dominated the rankings, with 13 cities making the top 100 hardest working cities in the U.S.

Louisiana

The state that lagged behind Texas in the rankings, with only New Orleans making the top 100 list.

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What’s next

The findings of this study are likely to fuel ongoing debates about the work ethic and economic competitiveness between Texas and Louisiana, with both states seeking to attract businesses and talent.

The takeaway

The study highlights the significant gap in work culture and economic opportunities between Texas and Louisiana, with Texas cementing its reputation as a hub of industrious, hard-working residents. The results raise questions about the factors that contribute to work ethic and the implications for regional economic development.