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Lifestyle

The 5 most sinful states in America — and the 5 least sinful

Americans in some states are far more prone to vices than in others

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The 5 most sinful states in America — and the 5 least sinful
ByBen Kesslen
·Updated February 27, 2025
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We’re all prone to sin sometimes, but in some states, residents can’t stop being bad.

WalletHub set out to find the least and most sinful states in the U.S. It looked at data across seven metrics: 1) Anger & Hatred, 2) Jealousy, 3) Excesses & Vices, 4) Greed, 5) Lust, 6) Vanity and 7) Laziness. Sound familiar?

The study considered serious issues like violent crimes, school bullying, teen dating violence, and theft rates. It also looked at drug use and gambling, casinos per capita, gambling-related arrests, and porn consumption. WalletHub then considered some lighter topics, like how vain a population is, looking at manicurists and pedicurists per capita, and plastic surgery rates.

“People across the nation have their own moral struggles, from violent outbursts and bullying to compulsive gambling, excessive lust and self-destructive consumption,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “While individual cases of negative behavior may only affect a few people, when these behaviors are exhibited by a high share of a state’s population, the majority of the state’s residents suffer as a result.”

Lupo suggested that states “invest in resources to help people curb vices, such as robust rehabilitation programs for people with gambling and drug addictions.”

Continue reading to see which states are the most — and least — sinful.

5th Least Sinful: Wyoming

4th Least Sinful: Utah

3rd Least Sinful: Vermont

2nd Least Sinful: New Hampshire

Least Sinful: Idaho

5th Most Sinful: Texas

4th Most Sinful: Louisiana

3rd Most Sinful: Florida

2nd Most Sinful: California

Most Sinful: Nevada

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