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This Is the Most Jealous State in America

From stalkers to private detectives, this state has the biggest problem with jealousy.

Jealous spouse using binoculars
Shutterstock

Jealousy can rear its ugly head in a variety of ways and for a wide range of reasons. A recent study that compared jealousy in different countries found that “individuals from more egocentric and masculine cultures (like the U.S.), are more likely to express jealousy.” In certain non-toxic forms, jealousy can actually motivate you to work harder and even boost creativity. But malicious jealousy, on the other hand, has the potential to unleash a dark side in those who are plagued by it. So, we at Best Life decided to delve deeper into the problems of envy and obsession to determine the most jealous state in America.


First, we pulled data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) most recent National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey on the prevalence of stalking per 10,000 residents in each state, seeing as researchers have characterized the brains of stalkers as being “obsessively jealous." In fact, what drives stalkers most is their “delusional jealousy,” according to neuroscientists from Cambridge University. It’s important to note that while the data on the number of women who were stalked was available for all 50 states, the estimated number of male stalking victims was available only in 15 states (California, Florida, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin).

Then we consulted the jealousy ranking included in WalletHub’s Most Sinful States index. To measure jealousy, they evaluated data for three metrics: thefts per capita, identity-theft complaints per capita, and fraud and other complaints per capita. States were then ranked from 1 (the most jealous) to 50 (the least jealous).

Lastly, we looked at occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that revealed how much private investigators earn in each state (data was unavailable for six states, which is indicated with “N/A”). The more valued these types of detectives are, the more jealous people in the state may be, as they are often hired by distrusting spouses or suspecting business associates.

Finally, we gave each metric a weighted value before running them through our exclusive algorithm to see how each state scored on our 100-point scale Jealousy Index. Read on to discover the most jealous state in America and find out how your state stacks up in comparison.

And for the place where people are most likely to lose their temper, This Is the Angriest State in America.

50 | North Dakota

a green "North Dakota" road signShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 328.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 46

Average private investigator salary: N/A

Jealousy Index Score: 0.00

49 | Minnesota

a beige "Minnesota Welcomes You" sign within grass and off the roadShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 524.9

WalletHub jealousy rank: 37

Average private investigator salary: N/A

Jealousy Index Score: 16.60

48 | Wyoming

a "Wyoming Welcomes You" sign off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 587.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 45

Average private investigator salary: N/A

Jealousy Index Score: 17.90

47 | Hawaii

Hawaii sign welcoming visitorsiStock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 536.8

WalletHub jealousy rank: 28

Average private investigator salary: N/A

Jealousy Index Score: 20.70

46 | Vermont

welcome to vermont signShutterstock/Katherine Welles

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 689.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 50

Average private investigator salary: N/A

Jealousy Index Score: 22.90

45 | Montana

a blue "Welcome to Montana" sign in front of green treesShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 580.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 27

Average private investigator salary: N/A

Jealousy Index Score: 24.00

44 | Indiana

a blue "Welcome to Indiana" sign in front of green treesShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 519.9

WalletHub jealousy rank: 34

Average private investigator salary: $42,430

Jealousy Index Score: 44.40

43 | Massachusetts

a blue "Massachusetts Welcomes You" sign in front of green treesShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 515.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 42.00

Average private investigator salary: $52,140

Jealousy Index Score: 47.40

42 | New Hampshire

a white "New Hampshire" sign in front of trees that have snow on themShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 448.6

WalletHub jealousy rank: 38

Average private investigator salary: $58,110

Jealousy Index Score: 48.10

41 | South Dakota

A road sign featuring Mount Rushmore and that says "Welcome to South Dakota" on itShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 633.0

WalletHub jealousy rank: 49

Average private investigator salary: $46,200

Jealousy Index Score: 49.00

40 | Virginia

a black "Welcome to Virginia" sign off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 468.6

WalletHub jealousy rank: 31

Average private investigator salary: $55,610

Jealousy Index Score: 50.40

39 | Iowa

a white "The People of Iowa Welcome You" signShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 592.7

WalletHub jealousy rank: 47

Average private investigator salary: $52,470

Jealousy Index Score: 51.00

38 | Connecticut

a wooden sign that says "Connecticut Welcomes You" in a parkShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 490.8

WalletHub jealousy rank: 32

Average private investigator salary: $58,010

Jealousy Index Score: 53.10

37 | Rhode Island

a blue "Discover Beautiful Rhode Island" sign in front of red and yellow treesShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 556.9

WalletHub jealousy rank: 36

Average private investigator salary: $58,900

Jealousy Index Score: 56.70

36 | North Carolina

north carolina state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 535.8

WalletHub jealousy rank: 17

Average private investigator salary: $52,530

Jealousy Index Score: 58.10

35 | Louisiana

a blue "Welcome to Louisiana" sign off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 548.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 11

Average private investigator salary: $49,270

Jealousy Index Score: 59.10

34 | Illinois

illinois state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 533.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 23

Average private investigator salary: $58,710

Jealousy Index Score: 59.70

33 | Alaska

a wooden "Welcome to Alaska" in front of white mountains and off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 519.4

WalletHub jealousy rank: 20

Average private investigator salary: $58,820

Jealousy Index Score: 59.90

32 | Wisconsin

a tall and wooden "Wisconsin Welcomes You" off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 793.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 44

Average private investigator salary: $44,480

Jealousy Index Score: 60.60

31 | Georgia

a blue "Welcome to Georgia" sign in front of trees and a buildingShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 488.8

WalletHub jealousy rank: 1

Average private investigator salary: $52,630

Jealousy Index Score: 60.80

30 | Michigan

a blue "Welcome to Michigan" sign off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 630.8

WalletHub jealousy rank: 19

Average private investigator salary: $48,040

Jealousy Index Score: 60.90

29 | Pennsylvania

pennsylvania state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 742.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 35

Average private investigator salary: $47,940

Jealousy Index Score: 62.60

28 | Ohio

a blue "Ohio Welcomes You" off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 668.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 24

Average private investigator salary: $49,470

Jealousy Index Score: 62.60

27 | Kansas

a blue "Kansas Welcomes You!" sign off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 621.3

WalletHub jealousy rank: 25

Average private investigator salary: $55,380

Jealousy Index Score: 62.80

26 | Colorado

a wooden "Welcome to Colorful Colorado" sign off of the highway at sunsetShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 583.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 14

Average private investigator salary: $53,670

Jealousy Index Score: 63.20

25 | Maryland

a "Maryland Welcomes You" sign with a white background and oranger borderShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 516.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 13

Average private investigator salary: $61,730

Jealousy Index Score: 64.10

24 | Arkansas

a blue "Welcome to Arkansas" sign within green grass and off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 626.3

WalletHub jealousy rank: 21

Average private investigator salary: $55,720

Jealousy Index Score: 64.80

23 | Nebraska

a green "Nebraska...the good like" sign off of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 837.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 40

Average private investigator salary: $45,040

Jealousy Index Score: 65.30

22 | New Jersey

a green "Welcome to New Jersey" sign in front of green and yellow treesShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 605.7

WalletHub jealousy rank: 30

Average private investigator salary: $63,970

Jealousy Index Score: 65.40

21 | New York

a green "Welcome to New York" sign off a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 693.4

WalletHub jealousy rank: 33

Average private investigator salary: $59,100

Jealousy Index Score: 67.10

20 | Mississippi

a blue "Welcome to Mississippi" sign off of a highway and within the grassShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 702.2

WalletHub jealousy rank: 26

Average private investigator salary: $54,350

Jealousy Index Score: 67.20

19 | Alabama

a green "Welcome to Sweet Home Alabama" sign in front of green plants and off a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 611.8

WalletHub jealousy rank: 12

Average private investigator salary: $57,140

Jealousy Index Score: 68.00

18 | Utah

utah state signShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 645.7

WalletHub jealousy rank: 29

Average private investigator salary: $64,440

Jealousy Index Score: 68.80

17 | Delaware

Welcome to Delaware road sign at the state borderiStock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 503.2

WalletHub jealousy rank: 4

Average private investigator salary: $65,610

Jealousy Index Score: 69.00

16 | Arizona

a blue "Arizona" sign off of the highway and in front of the Grand CanyonShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 503.2

WalletHub jealousy rank: 4

Average private investigator salary: $65,610

Jealousy Index Score: 69.00

15 | West Virginia

west virginia state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 954.2

WalletHub jealousy rank: 43

Average private investigator salary: $42,290

Jealousy Index Score: 70.40

14 | Texas

green "Welcome to Texas" sign on the side of a highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 641.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 8

Average private investigator salary: $56,190

Jealousy Index Score: 70.90

And for the place where things aren't always on the up and up, This Is the Most Corrupt State in America.

13 | Washington

a green "Welcome to Washington" sign in sand and in front of treesShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 613.3

WalletHub jealousy rank: 16

Average private investigator salary: $63,750

Jealousy Index Score: 70.90

12 | South Carolina

a "Welcome to South Carolina" sign that has a blue background and red borderShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 642.9

WalletHub jealousy rank: 5

Average private investigator salary: $54,410

Jealousy Index Score: 70.90

11 | Florida

a blue "Welcome to Florida" sign within green grass and in front of trees off of the highwayShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 768.7

WalletHub jealousy rank: 2

Average private investigator salary: $41,750

Jealousy Index Score: 72.40

And for more exclusive state guides and rankings delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

10 | Idaho

idaho state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 808.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 41

Average private investigator salary: $60,130

Jealousy Index Score: 72.50

9 | Kentucky

kentucky state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 881.9

WalletHub jealousy rank: 39

Average private investigator salary: $51,050

Jealousy Index Score: 72.50

8 | Oklahoma

oklahoma state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 892.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 22

Average private investigator salary: $44,180

Jealousy Index Score: 75.00

7 | Maine

a blue "Welcome to Maine The Way Life Should Be" signJoseph Sohm/Shutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 952.2

WalletHub jealousy rank: 48

Average private investigator salary: $53,080

Jealousy Index Score: 75.30

6 | Tennessee

a blue "Tennessee Welcomes You" sign in front of green treesShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 698.5

WalletHub jealousy rank: 9

Average private investigator salary: $57,960

Jealousy Index Score: 75.50

5 | Oregon

oregon state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 865.4

WalletHub jealousy rank: 15

Average private investigator salary: $57,380

Jealousy Index Score: 84.20

4 | Missouri

a blue "Missouri Welcomes You" signShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 940.1

WalletHub jealousy rank: 18

Average private investigator salary: $60,890

Jealousy Index Score: 90.40

3 | California

california state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 804.8

WalletHub jealousy rank: 6

Average private investigator salary: $68,570

Jealousy Index Score: 90.50

And for the place where people cheat the most, check out This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.

2 | New Mexico

a "Welcome to New Mexico" sign with a yellow background and wooden borderShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 930.0

WalletHub jealousy rank: 7

Average private investigator salary: $57,200

Jealousy Index Score: 91.40

1 | Nevada

nevada state welcome sign, iconic state photosShutterstock

Stalker victims per 10,000 people: 970.7

WalletHub jealousy rank: 3

Average private investigator salary: $64,200

Jealousy Index Score: 100.00

And for the area that's not known for being active, check out This Is the Laziest State in America.