The Most Sinful Cities in Louisiana: WalletHub’s Naughty List Revealed

Sinful Cities: Louisiana’s Most Vice-Filled Hotspots, Ranked

Mardi Gras has wrapped, the beads are packed away, and New Orleans shifts from full-on debauchery to Lenten reflection. But just because the party’s paused doesn’t mean the Pelican State isn’t still buzzing with temptation. According to personal finance site WalletHub, three Louisiana cities made the 2025 list of America’s most sinful places—measured by everything from lust and greed to laziness and excessive drinking.

Each year, WalletHub evaluates 180 cities based on 37 sinful indicators. These include rates of violent crime, gambling, adult entertainment businesses, vanity metrics (like plastic surgery), and substance use. While New Orleans is often seen as the country’s unofficial capital of mischief, the results might surprise you.

#1 in Louisiana: Baton Rouge – Vice Index Score: 47.23

Topping the list for Louisiana is Baton Rouge, ranked #17 nationally. The state capital and home to both LSU and Southern University, Baton Rouge scores high in classic college town sins: Lust (111) and Greed (96). Vanity also runs deep here, with a score of 38, which may be helped along by student social culture and the influence of image-obsessed social media trends.

But what makes Baton Rouge stand out is the combination of high energy and indulgent habits. Despite a relatively strong score in Laziness (20)—meaning people are staying active—it seems many are working hard… at sinning. Add in noticeable levels of Jealousy (11), and it’s clear the capital knows how to keep things spicy, competitive, and a little scandalous.

#2 in Louisiana: New Orleans – Vice Index Score: 45.92

New Orleans comes in just behind Baton Rouge, at #18 nationally. Though famous worldwide for Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, and its anything-goes attitude, The Big Easy surprisingly didn’t snag the top spot in the state. Still, its reputation holds strong thanks to high scores in Vanity (90), Greed (62), and Lust (39).

Known for its rich musical legacy, ghost tours, historic brothels, and drinking culture, New Orleans also grapples with more serious issues like violent crime and poverty—which contribute to its rankings. The city’s relatively lower score in Excesses & Vices (7) may reflect a cultural norm where indulgence isn’t “excessive”—it’s just how people live.

But New Orleans isn’t all sin and jazz. As the city transitions from Carnival to Lent, it embodies both extremes—soulful celebration followed by spiritual reset. It’s a place where pleasure and penance walk hand-in-hand down cobblestone streets.

#3 in Louisiana: Shreveport – Vice Index Score: 39.78

Coming in at #59 nationally is Shreveport, a city that still knows how to stir up a little trouble. Though its Vice Index score is the lowest of Louisiana’s entries, Shreveport shines in its own gritty way.

Greed (157) tops the list—no surprise for a city known for its casinos and riverboat gambling scene. With Vanity (87) and Lust (78) following close behind, it’s clear Shreveport has its own flavor of vice. Jealousy and Anger also appear on the radar, but the city’s low Laziness (18) score suggests people here are actively chasing whatever temptation’s calling.

Known as a hip-hop hub in the ’90s and still sporting a strong local scene, Shreveport doesn’t get the same attention as NOLA or Baton Rouge, but it holds its own in the sin department.

Louisiana: Sinful, but with Soul

While none of these Louisiana cities can dethrone Las Vegas—America’s undisputed “Sin City”—they each offer their own blend of hedonism and heart. If your idea of fun includes live music, swampy nights, decadent food, cocktails with a punch, and steamy southern charm, Louisiana delivers. Between the jazz clubs, zydeco rhythms, absinthe-fueled ghost tours, and Cajun cooking, it’s easy to see how temptation thrives in the bayou.

So whether you’re into vice tourism or just love a little naughty flavor in your travel plans, add these Louisiana hotspots to your bucket list. Just don’t forget to repent later—if you’re into that kind of thing.

Top 10 Sinful Cities in the U.S. (2025)

1. Las Vegas, NV

2. Houston, TX

3. Los Angeles, CA

4. Atlanta, GA

5. Philadelphia, PA

6. Denver, CO

7. Phoenix, AZ

8. Miami, FL

9. Dallas, TX

10. St. Louis, MO

Wishing you safe—and sinful—travels!