How often do you tell a lie? Even if it’s just a little white lie, it’s probably more often than you want to admit. We all probably have one person that comes to mind. Whether you can’t believe a word they say, or they just tend to exaggerate the truth. USC psychologist Gerald Jellison, says that we are lied to up to 200 times per day. (I’m trying to think who even has 200 interactions per day?!) But this of course can fluctuate based on where you live. So which states are the most honest states? Our friends at Gambling.com created a ‘Dishonesty Index’ to discover the biggest liars in the country. And the good news? Both Carolinas were in the bottom 10 making them some of the most honest states.
The index consisted of 5 equally weighted metrics which added up to an overall score of 100:
- Average monthly Google searches for “Tips on Lying” (per 100,000 of the population) = 39 (38th across America)
- Average monthly Google searches for “How to Bluff” (per 100,000 of the population) = 116 (42nd across America)
- Average monthly Google searches for “Ashley Madison” (per 100,000 of the population) = 255 (20th across America)
- Divorce Rates = 10.7% (35th across America)
- Overall Integrity Scores = 65 (32nd across America)
The top 10 most honest states are below followed by the 10 most dishonest. You can read the full report here.
1. California
SANTA CRUZ, CA – JULY 03: Visitors ride on the Sky Glider over the Santa Cruz Boardwalk on July 3, 2008 in Santa Cruz, California.
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 49
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 86
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 226
Divorce Rates: 9.2%
Integrity Scores: 73
Index Score: 21.2
2. New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey, USA skyline on the Passaic River.
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 44
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 103
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 289
Divorce Rates: 8.6%
Integrity Scores: 65
Index Score: 28.7
3. Iowa
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 36
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 137
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 205
Divorce Rates: 10.8%
Integrity Scores: 67
Index Score: 29.2
4. Mississippi
Mississippi State welcome sign along the US Highway 61 in the USA; Concept for travel in America and Road Trip in America
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 40
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 136
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 98
Divorce Rates: 11.5%
Integrity Scores: 61
Index Score: 30.6
5. New York
The New York State Capitol Building in Albany, home of the New York State Assembly. Monument of General Sherman on horseback.
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 44
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 96
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 297
Divorce Rates: 8.8%
Integrity Scores: 61
Index Score: 32.6
6. Alabama
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 36
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 125
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 195
Divorce Rates: 12.2%
Integrity Scores: 67
Index Score: 32.8
7. Illinois
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 41
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 116
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 316
Divorce Rates: 9.7%
Integrity Scores: 67
Index Score: 33.0
8. South Carolina
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 39
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 122
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 190
Divorce Rates: 10.7%
Integrity Scores: 60
Index Score: 33.1
9. North Carolina
North Carolina State Flag (Photo by BSPollard/Getty Images Plus)
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 39
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 116
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 255
Divorce Rates: 10.7%
Integrity Scores: 65
Index Score: 33.6
10. Tennessee
Tennessee welcomes you sign at he state border
Searches for “Tips on Lying”: 35
Searches for “How to Bluff”: 126
Searches for “Ashley Madison”: 211
Divorce Rates: 12.2%
Integrity Scores: 66
Index Score: 34
