Every town seems to have that one house nobody goes near. But which city in your state has the most ghostly reputation of all?
A new study from Nomad eSim set out to answer that question. They crunched the numbers on haunted locations, ghost tours, and paranormal-related Google searches in cities across the country. The result is a map of the spookiest city in every U.S. state.
The Most Haunted Cities in America
The study also ranked the top ten spookiest cities in the nation. Coming in at number one is New Orleans, Louisiana. The city offers 147 ghost tours and 72 haunted locations. Its above-ground cemeteries and history of voodoo have made it a magnet for those seeking the supernatural.
Savannah, Georgia, takes second place. It boasts 71 ghost tours and 68 haunted locations. New York City came in third, known for its concentration of haunted hotels, bars, and theaters. Los Angeles ranked fourth, with its share of ghostly activity tied to famous crimes and places like the Cecil Hotel.
Here is the full top ten:
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Savannah, Georgia
- New York City, New York
- Los Angeles, California
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Chicago, Illinois
- San Antonio, Texas
- Salem, Massachusetts
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Orlando, Florida, rounded out the list at number 11.
The Spookiest States
Using the same method, the study ranked the most haunted states. Massachusetts came in first, thanks in part to Salem and its infamous witch trials. California took second, followed by Texas, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Georgia.
The full top ten states:
- Massachusetts
- California
- Texas
- Pennsylvania
- Kentucky
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Florida
- New York
- Tennessee
Larger cities tended to win out, likely because they draw more tourists and host more ghost tours. But the study is a fun reminder of how many places across the country have a spine-tingling story or two. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, it might be time to see what haunt earned the top spot in your state.
