The Cheating Hotspots of the U.S.

Romantic relationships have their ups and downs. For many couples, there becomes a point when the bad can outweigh the good and the only option is to call it quits. And while breakups can happen for a multitude of reasons, such as lack of communication or loss of a spark, some causes can lead to much more heartache, with cheating being one of them.

But just how common is infidelity in the U.S.? To find out, Casino Guru USA conducted a nationwide survey of 3,000 Americans, asking respondents about their experiences and opinions on cheating, revealing exactly how each state compares when it comes to being unfaithful.

Key findings:

• Over half (57%) of Americans said that they have been cheated on, while 30% admitted to being disloyal
• Around 1 in 7 Americans who are currently in relationships would cheat if it was guaranteed they would never be caught
• Floridians take the top spot on the infidelity ranking, with almost two-thirds (64%) claiming they have been betrayed in a relationship and over one-third (39%) confessing to cheating
• New Jersey is the most loyal state, despite 46% of residents claiming to have been cheated on
• Americans aged 45-54 have been cheated on the most, with more than two-thirds (68%) reporting that they’ve had unfaithful partners
• American women reported being cheated on more than men, with 59% saying that they have been betrayed

The top 5 states most likely to be cheated on

The findings highlighted the states with the highest proportion of people who have been cheated on – several of which are home to vibrant nightlife hubs, from Miami in Florida to New Orleans in Louisiana.

1. Florida

Florida tops the list as the state most likely to be cheated on, with nearly two-thirds (63.63%) reporting that they have had unfaithful partners. Over a third (38.54%) admitted to being disloyal, and around 1 in 7 Floridians who are currently in relationships would cheat if it was guaranteed they would never be caught.

2. Louisiana

In second place is Louisiana, where 62.52% of people have been cheated on, which is more than double (30.61%) the proportion of people who confessed to being unfaithful. People in Louisiana aged 35-44 reported being cheated on the most, with almost two-thirds (61.19%) saying that they’ve been betrayed.

3. Kentucky

With almost two-thirds (61.01%) of Kentuckians reporting that they have been cheated on, the state places third. The proportion of residents who confessed to being unfaithful stands at 27.58%, and those aged 65 and over have been cheated on the most, with 58.99% claiming they have been betrayed.

4. Texas

Fourth place goes to Texas, with 60.51% of people claiming that they have been betrayed by partners, compared to over a third (36.8%) who have committed the act themselves. Texas men reported being cheated on more than women, with 61.41% saying that they have had disloyal partners in the past.

5. Utah

Utah is in the fifth spot, with 60.44% of residents revealing that they have had disloyal partners, which is over double the proportion of self-reported cheaters (28.67%). Women in Utah reported being cheated on more than men, with 58.99% saying that they have been betrayed.

The top 5 states least likely to be cheated on

On the flipside, the study revealed which states can expect the most loyal partners.

1. New Jersey

New Jersey ranks as the state least likely to be cheated on, even with more than half (54.69%) saying that they have been betrayed. The proportion of people who have previously cheated is also the lowest nationwide at 24.62% - and those aged 25-34 reported being cheated on the least, with 48.85% claiming that they have had unfaithful partners.

2. Massachusetts

Massachusetts takes the second spot, with almost half (48.04%) saying that they have been cheated on compared to 28.90% who are self-confessed cheaters. Massachusetts women reported being cheated on less than men, despite over half (51.34%) claiming that they have had disloyal partners.

3. Maryland

In third place is Maryland, where 50.37% of people reported that they have fallen victim to infidelity in the past, in comparison to 28.06% who admitted to being unfaithful. Women in Maryland have a lower proportion of experiencing disloyal partners than men, with 50.44% saying that they have been cheated on.

4. Nevada

Nevada sits in fourth place, with 51.92% of residents claiming that they have had unfaithful partners and 30.61% admitting to cheating. Those in Nevada aged 35-44 reported being cheated on the least, with 52.34% saying that previous partners have betrayed them.

5. Rhode Island

Fifth place goes to Rhode Island, where 52.26% of people have been cheated on compared to 28.94% who admitted to infidelity. Rhode Islanders between the ages of 25 and 34 have the lowest proportion of people who have had disloyal partners at 52.34%.

Conclusion

While the results reveal that cheating prevalence differs across the nation, the rate of infidelity in the bottom-ranking states is still staggering, with New Jersey, the most loyal state, reporting that over 50% of residents have been cheated on. However, the vibrant nightlife scenes that the top five states offer could contribute to infidelity, given that there’s more opportunity to meet someone due to the crowds in bars and nightclubs, and not to mention the poor decision-making that can happen as a result of drinking alcohol.

Methodology

The analysis is based on a February 2026 survey of 3,000 Americans, which was conducted to gain insight into cheating prevalence across the U.S.

Respondents were sourced from across all 50 states, with sample sizes weighted to ensure geographic and demographic representation. Participants were asked about their opinions, such as whether they would cheat on a partner if it was guaranteed they would never be caught, and whether they have ever cheated or been cheated on.

The states were ranked based on the number of residents who have been cheated on as a percentage of the total number of respondents.

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