10. Charlotte, North Carolina
> Pct. population who are members: 2.8%
> Ashley Madison members in city: 65,400
> Pct. population married: 40.7%
> Pct. population divorced: 10%

There are roughly 65,400 Ashley Madison members in Charlotte, North Carolina, or an estimated 2.8% of the area’s population — this was the 10th largest per capita figure among the 23 cities for which data was available. As was the case for nearly all cities, more than three-quarters of Charlotte’s Ashley Madison members identified themselves as either married or attached. Of the dating site’s male members, 38% were in their 30s, the largest cohort among the site’s users. Female users in Charlotte, on the other hand, were just as likely to be in their 40s as in their 30s. Like a few other states where adultery is more common than elsewhere, cheating is actually a misdemeanor in North Carolina, punishable by a fine or even jail time.

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9. San Diego, California
> Pct. population who are members: 2.9%
> Ashley Madison members in city: 91,000
> Pct. population married: 43.7%
> Pct. population divorced: 10%

Nearly 44% of San Diego residents are married, the highest percentage compared with the 23 cities reviewed but still well below the nationwide proportion of nearly 48%. As was the case for users in every other city, more than 70% of Ashley Madison members identified themselves as married or attached, indicating the desire for a discreet encounter. Wealth may play a role in the prevalence of infidelity. Not only does Ashley Madison require payment at numerous intervals when arranging an affair, but also wealthy individuals are on the whole more likely to be Ashley Members users. A typical area household earned $61,426, well above the national figure of $52,250.

8. Houston, Texas
> Pct. population who are members: 3.0%
> Ashley Madison members in city: 187,000
> Pct. population married: 42.1%
> Pct. population divorced: 10.5%

More than 41% of Houston residents are married, one of the highest percentages compared with other cities reviewed. Despite this, less than 70% of Houston’s Ashley Madison members were married, one of the lower figures compared to other cities. Unlike several other states in which particularly adulterous cities are located, marital infidelity is not against the law in Texas. However, adultery can still affect a divorce proceeding by assigning more blame for the failed marriage on the adulterer, which is then considered in the property division. The evidence suggests that people will have an affair regardless of the possible ramifications, even in countries where one’s life is at stake. In the U.S., Ashley Madison’s promise of secrecy may be appealing to people in areas where the penalties are more severe.