Las Vegas may be the poster child for vice, but sinful behavior isn’t confined to Nevada. In fact, San Antonio, along with Houston and Dallas, ranks among the most sinful cities in the U.S., according to WalletHub’s latest study.
From gambling and adult entertainment to violent crime and excessive drinking, Texans are indulging in their fair share of vices and the Alamo City is no exception.
WalletHub analyzed more than 180 U.S. cities across 37 indicators of illicit or indulgent behavior, including violent crime rates, drunk driving, gambling problems, and the prevalence of adult entertainment. The results reveal where temptations are hardest to resist and vices are most widespread.
San Antonio: Temptation in the Alamo City
San Antonio scored a 44.8 on WalletHub’s Vice Index, ranking 25th overall among the most sinful cities.
The city shows elevated levels of adult entertainment establishments, gambling issues, and alcohol-related problems. Residents also rank higher than average in online searches related to lust and vanity, highlighting a mix of indulgence and temptation throughout the city.
Houston and Dallas: Sin on a larger scale
Houston ranks second nationally, with some of the highest levels of adult entertainment, pornography-related searches, and gambling problems in the country. The city also struggles with violent crime, including aggravated assaults and a high number of mass shootings in recent years.
Dallas, coming in eighth, reflects many of Houston’s vices, with elevated alcohol and gambling issues and a notable number of adult entertainment venues. Like its Texas neighbor, Dallas is no stranger to behaviors society considers sinful.
Austin and other Texas cities
Austin ranks 37th on the list, with notable indulgence in vices such as drinking, gambling, and adult entertainment. The city also ranks higher than average in vanity-related behaviors, including online searches related to plastic surgery and appearance.
Other Texas cities on the list include Fort Worth (62nd), Arlington (90th), Garland (106th), Lubbock (108th), Brownsville (165th), and Laredo (174th).
Why it matters
As Chip Lupo of WalletHub explains, “The most sinful cities are those where illicit activities and vices alike are the most widespread. Sometimes these activities are always bad, like violent crimes or identity theft. Other times, they may be relatively harmless in moderation but incredibly destructive when not kept under control, such as alcohol use or gambling.”
While Las Vegas remains the quintessential “Sin City,” WalletHub’s rankings show that temptation and vice are alive and well in Texas, with San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas leading the way.