According to WalletHub's 2024 "Most Sinful Cities in America" study, Miami takes the eighth spot among 182 U.S. metropolises, proving that while the Magic City may glimmer on the surface, Miami vices run deep.
No use denying it, so we may as well own it. Here's a quick rundown of what makes our sin game so strong.
Vanity: Miami's Greatest Vice
Vanity reigns supreme in Miami, good enough for fifth place nationwide. WalletHub quantified our narcissism using Google searches for plastic surgeries, the number of tanning salons per capita, and other appearance-focused metrics.In this town, looking good isn't merely a priority — it's a way of life. Miami is home to a thriving cosmetic surgery industry, attracting travelers from across the globe for Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs), botox, and everything in between. Instagram-worthy tans and sculpted physiques dominate the sands of South Beach (and Instagram itself). Vanity and Miami are utterly inseparable.
Envy: Miami's Love-Hate Relationship
Miami ranks seventh nationwide for jealousy, according to metrics such as thefts per capita and identity theft complaints. From Louis Vuitton to Lamborghini, we're a conceited beacon for envy. Whether it's porch pirates eyeing online deliveries or cyber thieves targeting wealthy wallets, jealousy plays out in Miami in bold and often illicit colors.
Lust: City of Seduction
Miami knows how to keep things steamy, so it's no surprise to find we landed in the top ten for lust. The ranking reflects our high concentration of adult entertainment venues and robust appetite for dating apps like Tinder. This town is where nightlife starts after midnight and pulses past sunrise, beaches invite scantily clad sunbathers, and "what happens in Miami..." feels less like a rule and more like a mantra. If lust is indeed a deadly sin, Miami has a fatal attraction.
Too sexy for her pole?
Photo by stockbusters/Getty Images
Sloth: Surprisingly High?
Miami ranks 14th in laziness, a score that reflects surprising contradictions in the city's active lifestyle. Alongside our picturesque beaches and wellness trends, the study factors in metrics like volunteer rates, hours spent watching TV, and the predominance of disconnected youth. While Miamians are known for our fitness-forward habits, perhaps some of that effort is offset by leisurely afternoons by the pool, Netflix binges, and a lack of community spirit. Greed: Wealth vs. Generosity
At 99th for greed, Miami manages a middle-ground ranking despite our reputation as a playground for the rich. High-end real estate and luxurious lifestyles are balanced by charitable giving and a lower rate of financial fraud compared to more avaricious locales.Wrath: Miami's Softer Side
Miami ranks 102nd in anger and hatred, comfortably in the calmer half of the rankings. Metrics including violent crimes, hate crimes, and mass shootings figure into this score, and while our fair city isn't free from this type of conflict, WalletHub's number-crunching suggests our vibrant cultural melting pot might foster sufficient community bonds to diffuse at least some of the tension. Gluttony: Excess Balanced by Restraint
In the category of "Excesses & Vices," Miami ranks 152nd, suggesting a surprising level of moderation. While mojitos flow freely and there's no shortage of indulgence (self- and otherwise), the study found Miamians capable of practicing a kind of cultural balance. To put it another way: Here, yoga mats and juice bars are as ubiquitous as happy hour specials and all-you-can-eat brunches. We're prone to excess, but at least some of us know when enough is enough.
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Source: WalletHub
