What state has the highest rate of affairs?

Which State Has the Highest Rate of Affairs in the U.S.?

When it comes to relationships, trust is everything. But curiosity about infidelity rates across the U.S. often leads to surprising answers. According to recent survey data, Hawaii tops the list with a staggering 80.56% of respondents admitting they’ve cheated on a significant other at some point. That figure far surpasses other states, making it a surprising leader in a not-so-flattering ranking.

Following behind are Louisiana and Rhode Island, both tied at 62.50%, then Delaware at 52.94%. These numbers, while self-reported and not necessarily reflective of actual behavior across entire populations, offer a glimpse into regional attitudes and experiences around relationship fidelity.

Why might Hawaii rank so high? While it’s tempting to blame paradise, experts suggest it’s less about the location and more about cultural openness to discussing personal matters—and possibly a greater willingness to admit to infidelity in surveys. That said, it doesn’t mean people in other states cheat less; they may just be less likely to admit it.

It's also important to remember that “cheating” can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s emotional involvement; for others, it’s physical. And with evolving relationship norms—including rising interest in consensual non-monogamy—the lines can blur.

Still, the data sparks conversation. Are certain states more prone to affairs, or do social factors like population density, economic stress, or even survey participation bias play a bigger role? While we can’t draw hard conclusions from percentages alone, one thing is clear: relationships are complex, and human behavior rarely fits into neat categories—no matter what state you’re in.