
The topic of cheating is not a subject most people like to talk about unless you are a country music singer in need of inspiration. Jukebox sing-alongs aside, cheating can be very stressful and downright messy at times for both parties involved. But who’s to say that this regrettable fact of life is condensed to certain areas? Well, apparently a new study, conducted by MyDAtingAdviser.com, has come up with criteria to pinpoint areas where unfaithfulness is prevalent.
To get the ball rolling on this subject, MyDatingAdviser.com compared 200 of the largest metro areas across four categories: 1) Relationship Satisfaction, 2) Life Satisfaction, 3) Cheating Intent, and 4) Affair Activities. The results from this study indicate that Dallas (ranked No. 1 most unfaithful in the nation), Fort Worth (2nd), and Houston (3rd). This study further evaluated each of these areas using nine data points of cheating friendliness. These data points included the divorce rate, separation rate, number of cafes and bars, and how often people search for ‘Ashley Madison’ on Google (an online dating website for affairs).
“The study factored in the population’s relationship satisfaction by examining marriage, divorce, and separation rates,” Pritchett says.
Other factors of consideration for this study included the population’s life satisfaction by evaluating emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community.
“We also looked at the number of venues to meet for an affair, and the volume of searches on Google for affair hookup websites was also considered for the rankings,” she added. “While most would assume that bigger cities probably produce more cheaters per capita, this data shows us what we were already aware of; cheaters are everywhere, and infidelity can happen anywhere - in large and small cities.
It’s not singular to Florida or removed from quieter states like Pennsylvania or Arizona. And for what it’s worth, cheating comes in many forms and may look different for one person than it would for another. It can happen in marriages, emotionally, and just because of sudden circumstances…that have little to do with that person’s current relationship.”

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The 10 most unfaithful cities in America are here:
- Dallas, Texas
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- New York, New York
- Knoxville, Tennessee
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Washington, District of Columbia
The 10 most faithful cities in America are here:
- Pasadena, California
- Torrance, California
- Roseville, California
- Visalia, California
- Laredo, Texas
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Orange, California
- West Valley City, Utah
- McAllen, Texas
- Syracuse, New York
Why are people tempted to have an affair? Find some data points below for the Texas cities most likely to cheat:
Dallas (#1 out of 200 cities for unfaithfulness)
- Marriage Rate: 47%
- Divorce Rate: 12%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 49.00 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 32.85 (highest = 36)
Fort Worth (#2 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 46%
- Divorce Rate: 13%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 51.46 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 30.96 (highest = 36)
Houston (#3 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 47%
- Divorce Rate: 12%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 49.00 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 32.67 (highest = 36)
Plano (#26 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 44%
- Divorce Rate: 12%
- Separation Rate: 3%
- Happiness Index: 37.47 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 18.27 (highest = 36)
Austin (#44 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 47%
- Divorce Rate: 9%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 50.55 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 31.23 (highest = 36)
Arlington (#45 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 49%
- Divorce Rate: 12%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 52.76 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 28.62 (highest = 36)
The good news is that there are also loyal cities in the state. These are the most faithful cities in Texas:
Laredo (#5 out of 200 cities for faithfulness)
- Marriage Rate: 49%
- Divorce Rate: 12%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 63.82 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 15.03 (highest = 36)
McAllen (#9 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 48%
- Divorce Rate: 12%
- Separation Rate: 1%
- Happiness Index: 50.36 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 3.33 (highest = 36)
Corpus Christi (#38 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 47%
- Divorce Rate: 10%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 59.21 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 16.92 (highest = 36)
Lubbock (#39 out of 200 cities)
- Marriage Rate: 49%
- Divorce Rate: 12%
- Separation Rate: 2%
- Happiness Index: 63.82 (best = 100)
- Google Search Interest for an Affair: 19.53 (highest = 36)
7 surprising signs your spouse might be cheating
- Changes in communication. A communication breakdown is never a positive sign. If you can't get your spouse to communicate (or even fight) with you, they no longer share their day with you, or the words "I love you" are no longer spoken, there's likely an underlying issue.
- Appearance and hobbies. Indeed, taking care of yourself and devoting yourself to new hobbies and passions or even your work can be positive. Still, when combined with other suspicious behaviors, the following changes may cause concern.
- Attitude changes. Your spouse may experience work stress or problems with other relationships that can lead to changes in attitude.
- Lying and avoidance. Dishonesty in a marriage is a red flag.
- Indifference. When your spouse shows apathy or lack of interest in things they used to love, communicate with them to see if there is another reason for the change in engagement. But if you also suspect infidelity, these changes may further indicate an affair.
- Changes in your sex life. It is common for fluctuations in the frequency of sex in your marriage. But these signs may indicate the possibility of an affair.
- A change in technology use. Infidelity is often revealed online, in text, or phone messages. These tech changes may warrant concern.