When it comes to indulgence and vice, few cities embody the concept more than Las Vegas, famously known as “Sin City.” In WalletHub’s 2024 “Most Sinful Cities in America” list, Las Vegas reigns supreme yet again. However, it’s not the only U.S. city where temptation takes center stage—several others have climbed the ranks for their own displays of greed, lust, and vanity.
How the Rankings Were Determined
WalletHub’s study analyzed data from 182 of the largest U.S. metro areas, utilizing metrics that highlight seven cardinal sins: anger and hatred, jealousy, excesses and vices, greed, lust, vanity, and laziness. The data was pulled from reputable sources, including the FBI, IRS, CDC, Federal Trade Commission, National Council on Problem Gambling, and Tinder.
Here’s how the sins were quantified:
- Anger and Hatred: Cities with high violent crime rates and hate crime incidents received top scores.
- Greed: This category measured the prevalence of casinos, gambling addiction, and other financially exploitative activities.
- Lust: Adult entertainment establishments and online pornography searches were key factors.
- Vanity: Metrics included the number of tanning salons, plastic surgery practices, and Instagram posts tagged as “selfie.”
America’s Most Sinful Cities
While Las Vegas holds the title, cities like New Orleans, Miami, and St. Louis also ranked highly for their indulgence in excesses and vices. These cities demonstrated widespread behaviors tied to the cardinal sins, from gambling addiction and adult entertainment to jealousy-fueled disputes and excessive vanity.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo explained, “The most sinful cities are those where illicit activities and vices are most widespread, from violent crimes to gambling excesses.”
Why It Matters
Understanding the “sin profile” of a city provides insights into its culture, economy, and challenges. While Las Vegas embraces its sinful reputation as a cornerstone of its tourism appeal, other cities face scrutiny over high crime rates or public health concerns linked to their indulgences.
Is Your City on the List?
To see if your hometown made the cut, explore WalletHub’s full list of 182 cities ranked by their sinful characteristics. Whether you live in a city of saints or sinners, one thing is clear: the human inclination toward vice is alive and well across America.
Would you embrace your city’s sinful reputation—or does this list make you want to move? Let us know your thoughts!
Source: WalletHub
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