America's top 5 most sinful cities: list

People walk by the snow-covered Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as The Bean) in Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois, Dec. 13, 2016.
People walk by the snow-covered Cloud Gate sculpture (also known as The Bean) in Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois, Dec. 13, 2016. | Reuters/Kamil Krzaczynski

America’s sin problem isn’t confined to Las Vegas, according to a new study.

While the Nevada gambling and tourist destination remains true to its reputation as “Sin City,” it turns out America has no shortage of cities promoting vice and illicit behavior.

A WalletHub study released Nov. 17 collected data from several sources on 182 cities nationwide and assessed 37 vices and criminal activity, ranging from excessive drinking to violent crime and the number of adult entertainment establishments per capita, to determine which cities are the most “sinful” in the nation.

The study's title, "Most Sinful Cities in America," isn’t necessarily synonymous with “least religious,” according to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

“Regardless of any particular religious tenets, certain activities are considered ‘sinful’ by society as a whole,” said Lupo in a statement provided with the study's results. “Sometimes, these activities are always bad, like violent crimes or identity theft. In other cases, they may be relatively harmless in moderation but incredibly destructive when not kept under control, such as alcohol use or gambling. The most sinful cities are those where illicit activities and vices alike are the most widespread.”

Data collected on Oct. 20 for the study came from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, County Health Rankings, TransUnion, National Council on Problem Gambling, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Google Ads and Tinder, among others. 

Here are America’s top five most “sinful cities” according to Wallet Hub, which also assessed cities with the highest rates of anger and hatred, jealousy, greed, lust, vanity and laziness.

Was this article helpful?

Become a CP Insider.
Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone.

The truth has a cost, and Insiders help carry it.
A dollar from an Insider comes with no strings attached. It keeps our reporters on the story, keeps our journalism open to everyone, and keeps every editorial decision in the newsroom, where it belongs.

Become a CP Insider and choose the amount you want to pay. You can change, pause or cancel anytime. As a thank-you, you’ll get:

  • The Insider Newsletter, a members-only monthly letter from our newsroom

  • Ad-free reading across christianpost.com


From as low as $8.25/month
Prefer to give once?

We’re sorry to hear that.

Hope you’ll give us another try and check out some other articles.
Return to homepage.

Most Popular

More Articles