14 Biggest Sin Cities in America Where Vices Run Rampant
Let’s face it: We all have our vices. However, not every city is notorious for its transgression.
A recent WalletHub study ranked 180 U.S. cities for their level of sin. From the dazzling lights of Las Vegas to the vibrant streets of Miami, this list reveals the most mischievous urban hubs in America.
What Makes a City Sinful
WalletHub used 37 key indicators to rank 180 U.S. cities on their level of sin. These indicators ranged from violent crimes per capita to the number of grownup-only entertainment establishments within the city’s borders. They then scored the cities based on seven categories: 1) Anger & Hatred, 2) Jealousy, 3) Excesses & Vices, 4) Greed, 5) Lust, 6) Vanity and 7) Laziness.
The higher the number, the more sinful the city.
Allure of Mischief
Not everyone residing in these most sinful cities is a participant in illicit activities, and at the end of the day, this list is just for fun. You might say that these locales simply understand that a little mischief can lend itself to the allure of city life.
1: Las Vegas, Nevada
They don’t call it “Sin City” without reason. Las Vegas is the most sinful city in America, scoring a total vice index of 63. It also ranked fourth for lust and first for greed.
2: Houston, Texas
Houston scored a total vice index of 57.21 and ranked first for lust. The Bayou City has a large number of grownup-only establishments and a concerning amount of violence.
3: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Vanity is the major sin in Philadelphia, earning it an index score of 56.83. WalletHub’s study found there were more online searches for “plastic surgery” in Philadelphia than there were in any other city studied.
4: Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles had a total sin index of 55.12, ranking third for lust and 14th for anger and hatred. The City of Angels has seen a reduction in crime in recent years but still has a large number of homicides. It also has a high concentration of grownup-only establishments.
5: Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta’s sin index score came out to 55.11, ranking second in lust and fourth in jealousy. Given the measures of the study, this means Atlanta has a high rate of theft and fraud.
6: Denver, Colorado
Denver is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Unfortunately, the number of violent crimes seems to increase with every resident. Denver scored 53.86 on the sin index and ranked 8th for anger and hatred.
7: Dallas, Texas
Dallas scored 53.12 on WalletHub’s sin index. The Texas city ranked 5th for lust and 16th for jealousy due to a large number of grownup-only establishments and more than its fair share of property crimes.
8: Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix ranked 6th for lust, earning it a 53.01 on the sin index. Cabarets and other night-time grownup-only establishments are popular in the city.
9: Miami, Florida
Miami’s sin index score was 53.01. Its highest rankings were in lust (7th place) and jealousy (10th place). Miami is the number one region in the U.S. for identity theft, a sinful act indeed.
10: Cleveland, Ohio
The total index score for Cleveland was 52.05. The Forest City ranked especially high for anger and hatred (3rd) and excess and vices (5th). Ohio is one of the most obese states in the nation, and there are 1,102 fast-food restaurants in Cuyahoga County, where Cleveland sits.
11: St Louis, Missouri
St. Louis had a sin index score of 51.56, with a third-place finish in excesses and vices. Increasing drug and substance abuse issues may be to blame.
12: Orlando, Florida
Orlando took 7th place for anger and hatred and has an overall sin index score of 51.24. Many factors were considered for the anger and hatred score, including the number of a city’s hate groups.
13: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge scored 50.51 on WalletHub’s sin index and managed a 5th-place finish in jealousy. This is could be due to a high number of property crimes, which factored into the jealousy rankings.
14: New York City, New York
In a city that never sleeps, sin is sure to flourish. New York City scored 50.19 on the sin index. Its highest category was lust, although it also scored high in anger and hatred.
The Cost of Sin
Indulging in vices is typically a personal choice, but cities with high rates of sin can cost residents as a whole. Even things like excessive eating and binge drinking, which seem only to affect the person partaking in the behavior, can have a financial impact on the community.
Feels Good to Be Bad
Despite the economic burden a vice often places on an individual and their community, most people seem to love sinning to some degree. Whether it’s an out-of-control caffeine habit or something more sinister, there’s often pleasure in illicit behavior.
But Why?
As it turns out, illicit behavior often creates a positive response. Though participants in one study on unethical behavior predicted they would feel guilty after doing something sinful, the opposite was true. Thanks to a so-called “cheater’s high,” they felt high levels of self-satisfaction after bad behavior, even when there were no other incentives, like a financial reward.
Location Counts
Of course, people don’t always “sin” for fun. In cities like the ones on this list, illicit behavior typically has additional drivers. Poverty, the failure of social services, chronic food insecurity, and lack of sustaining work can all create environments where bad behavior is more likely.
It’s Relative
Experts from the WalletHub study note that what we define as sinful is based on the society we live in. Our norms and values determine what behavior is illicit and what is not. So, calling these cities sinful is truly a matter of perspective.
More Vices
No matter how you look at it, though, Americans have been increasing their bad behaviors since the COVID-19 pandemic. As a nation, we’re spending more money unnecessarily, drinking more regularly, upping our calories, and binge-watching more TV.
How To Fix It
When WalletHub asked experts how Americans can curb their sinful nature, they suggested building healthy structures back into our lives. During the pandemic, many found their routine upended, which opened the door to bad habits.
More Hikes, Less Happy Hours
Specifically, experts said people could consider canceling happy hour for an evening stroll. They also suggested inviting a friend to the movies instead of binge-watching TV. Ultimately, the idea is to replace bad activities with something healthy.
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