To determine the most unfaithful cities in the nation, we calculated something that we’ve dubbed the Infidelity Index for major U.S. cities. We compared 200 of the largest metro areas across four key dimensions: 1) Relationship Satisfaction, 2) Life Satisfaction, 3) Infidelity Intent, and 4) Affair Activities.

We evaluated each of those dimensions using nine relevant metrics of infidelity friendliness. These are listed below with their corresponding weights. The metrics were combined to create a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for having an affair.

We determined each location’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered the largest metro areas in the USA. 

It’s a lot of math, but it boils down to that someone vulnerable to temptation is likely to make a poor (e.g., unfaithful) choice if they’re living in a city with a higher Infidelity Index. 

Relationship Satisfaction – Total Points: 36

• Marriage Rate: Full Weight (~8.33 Points) 
• Divorce Rate: Full Weight (~8.33 Points) 
• Separation Rate: Full Weight (~8.33 Points) 

Infidelity Intent – Total Points: 36

• Google Searches for ‘Affair’: Full Weight (~12.5 Points) Note: This metric measures how often ‘affair’ related searches on Google from each city have been made over the past 12 months.
• Google Searches for ‘Ashley Madison’: Full Weight (~12.5 Points) Note: This metric measures how often ‘Ashley Madison’ related searches on Google from each city have been made over the past 12 months.

Life Satisfaction – Total Points: 14

• Happiness Index: Full Weight (~25 Points) Note: This metric measures emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment.

Affair Activities – Total Points: 14

• Acres of parkland: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
• Nightlife per capita: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
• Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)
• Restaurants per Capita: Full Weight (~6.25 Points)

Sources: Google Trends, WalletHub’s ‘The Happiest States in America’ Report, United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, TripAdvisor