Investing

The Drunkest Cities in America

ViewApart / Getty Images

America has an alcohol problem. Drinking too much is the third leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. The CDC says alcohol contributes to over 140,000 deaths yearly from 2015-2019. In some cities and regions, the issue is much worse than others. (To take just one peril of excessive drinking, deaths from alcohol-related cirrhosis have gone up almost every year since 2000.)

To identify the metro areas with the highest rates of excessive drinking, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on the percentage of adults 18 and older who reported binge or heavy drinking within a 30-day period across all metro areas in the country from the 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program.

One in six U.S. adults binge drink – defined as 5+ drinks for men or 4+ for women in one occasion, with 25% doing so at least weekly. In the cities on our list, the rate of excessive drinking tops 22%, much higher than the 19.79% U.S. average.

Binge drinking is most common among higher income, non-Hispanic white adults and those in the Midwest. In fact, seven of the top 10 cities are in the Midwest. Wisconsin has the most cities in the top 50 with 12, followed by Iowa with six. Florida, a popular spring break destination, has five cities on the list. Some cities with major universities are on the list too, like Boston, Ames, Burlington, and Syracuse. (These are the states with the highest rates of binge drinking.)

Click here to see the drunkest cities in America

50. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 22.65 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 27.11 — No. 208 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $59,073 — No. 251 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 509,794

[in-text-ad]

Photo Italia LLC / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

49. Glens Falls, New York
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 22.72 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 19.64 — No. 334 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $65,557 — No. 146 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 126,574

OlegAlbinsky / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

48. Kingston, New York
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 22.75 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 19.32 — No. 343 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $78,938 — No. 48 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 182,951

47. Bismarck, North Dakota
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 22.75 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 40.38 — No. 16 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $67,793 — No. 118 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 134,028

[in-text-ad-2]

benedek / iStock via Getty Images

46. Naples-Marco Island, Florida
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 22.81 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 23.47 — No. 286 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $74,215 — No. 72 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 385,980

CampPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

45. Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 22.88 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 23.98 — No. 276 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $66,256 — No. 139 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 787,976

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

44. Pittsfield, Massachusetts
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 22.89 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 20.59 — No. 324 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $60,749 — No. 219 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 128,657

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

43. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.00 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 30.40 — No. 129 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $100,750 — No. 7 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 4,899,932

RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images

42. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.14 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 31.86 — No. 106 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $87,433 — No. 20 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 3,690,512

[in-text-ad-2]

CRobertson / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

41. Ames, Iowa
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.21 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 27.78 — No. 192 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $64,569 — No. 161 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 126,195

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

40. Burlington-South Burlington, Vermont
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.31 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 35.29 — No. 48 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $81,852 — No. 37 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 226,715

[in-text-ad]

129679309@N05 / Flickr

39. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.32 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 22.06 — No. 309 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $61,833 — No. 201 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 167,796

dangarneau / iStock via Getty Images

38. Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.34 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 28.57 — No. 171 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $74,208 — No. 73 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 719,146

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

37. Utica-Rome, New York
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.35 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 29.75 — No. 149 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $60,313 — No. 230 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 290,211

[in-text-ad-2]

okimo / iStock via Getty Images

36. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, Hawaii
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.41 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 44.83 — No. 4 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $76,273 — No. 63 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 164,268

felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images

35. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.47 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 35.09 — No. 52 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $58,276 — No. 261 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 871,905

[in-text-ad]

csfotoimages / iStock via Getty Images

34. Monroe, Michigan
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.51 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 42.59 — No. 7 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $65,512 — No. 148 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 155,274

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

33. Syracuse, New York
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.53 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 28.63 — No. 170 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $64,296 — No. 164 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 658,281

marchello74 / iStock via Getty Images

32. Madison, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.53 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 31.87 — No. 105 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $76,731 — No. 62 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 683,183

[in-text-ad-2]

DawnDamico / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

31. Punta Gorda, Florida
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.53 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 29.55 — No. 153 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $59,285 — No. 246 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 194,843

30. Iowa City, Iowa
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.54 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 27.27 — No. 203 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $66,216 — No. 141 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 177,239

[in-text-ad]

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

29. Lincoln, Nebraska
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.56 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 33.90 — No. 68 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $65,229 — No. 153 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 343,035

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

28. Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, Florida
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.74 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 22.54 — No. 302 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $59,171 — No. 249 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 685,344

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

27. North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.80 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 26.52 — No. 218 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $70,095 — No. 107 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 859,760

[in-text-ad-2]

benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

26. Bend, Oregon
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.80 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 27.03 — No. 210 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $79,796 — No. 46 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 204,801

fotoguy22 / iStock via Getty Images

25. Springfield, Illinois
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.81 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 24.04 — No. 274 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $68,796 — No. 112 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 207,245

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

24. Grand Forks, North Dakota
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.87 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 33.96 — No. 67 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $62,568 — No. 191 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 103,462

ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

23. Cedar Rapids, Iowa
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 23.93 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 21.93 — No. 310 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $69,923 — No. 109 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 275,435

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

22. Sheboygan, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.03 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 35.56 — No. 47 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $62,188 — No. 195 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 117,747

[in-text-ad-2]

peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

21. Billings, Montana
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.04 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 44.17 — No. 5 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $70,018 — No. 108 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 187,037

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

20. Duluth, Minnesota
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.44 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 38.21 — No. 28 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $64,960 — No. 156 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 292,285

[in-text-ad]

BergmannD / iStock via Getty Images

19. Janesville-Beloit, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.47 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 42.98 — No. 6 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $66,090 — No. 143 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 164,381

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

18. Mankato, Minnesota
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.66 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 12.50 — No. 373 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $70,130 — No. 106 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 103,612

DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

17. Milwaukee-Waukesha, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.73 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 28.04 — No. 184 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $68,449 — No. 116 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 1,566,487

[in-text-ad-2]

JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images

16. Wausau-Weston, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.96 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 23.17 — No. 289 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $71,486 — No. 97 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 166,189

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

15. Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 24.97 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 31.48 — No. 114 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $64,095 — No. 168 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 171,623

[in-text-ad]

leezsnow / iStock via Getty Images

14. Great Falls, Montana
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.08 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 51.92 — No. 1 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $57,706 — No. 270 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 84,511

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

13. Hilton Head Island-Bluffton, South Carolina
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.18 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 28.87 — No. 166 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $67,779 — No. 119 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 222,072

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

12. Racine, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.31 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 32.56 — No. 95 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $68,758 — No. 113 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 196,896

[in-text-ad-2]

Jorge Moro / iStock via Getty Images

11. Portland-South Portland, Maine
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.37 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 28.19 — No. 182 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $78,558 — No. 53 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 556,893

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

10. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.41 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 38.81 — No. 22 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $83,537 — No. 32 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 232,411

[in-text-ad]

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

9. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.41 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 35.19 — No. 50 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $69,068 — No. 111 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 104,362

JamesBrey / E+ via Getty Images

8. Green Bay, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.64 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 37.59 — No. 33 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $66,652 — No. 133 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 329,490

7. Dubuque, Iowa
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.93 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 19.35 — No. 342 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $75,590 — No. 69 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 98,718

[in-text-ad-2]

DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

6. Appleton, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 25.97 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 37.50 — No. 34 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $74,331 — No. 71 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 244,084

5. La Crosse-Onalaska, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 26.26 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 30.43 — No. 128 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $61,342 — No. 210 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 139,211

[in-text-ad]

Susanne Neumann / iStock via Getty Images

4. Charleston-North Charleston, South Carolina
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 26.30 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 34.41 — No. 60 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $72,719 — No. 87 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 813,052

William Reagan / iStock via Getty Images

3. Eau Claire, Wisconsin
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 26.43 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 37.84 — No. 30 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $61,684 — No. 206 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 173,317

Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images

2. Missoula, Montana
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 26.90 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 34.29 — No. 61 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $66,803 — No. 128 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 119,533

[in-text-ad-2]

Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

1. St. Cloud, Minnesota
>Pct. of adults who drink excessively: 26.93 (US rate: 19.79)
>Pct. of fatal car accidents involving alcohol: 27.40 — No. 200 out of 386 (US rate: 26.56)
>Median household income: $65,641 — No. 145 out of 386 (US median: $69,717)
>Population: 200,406

Credit Card Companies Are Doing Something Nuts

Credit card companies are at war. The biggest issuers are handing out free rewards and benefits to win the best customers.

It’s possible to find cards paying unlimited 1.5%, 2%, and even more today. That’s free money for qualified borrowers, and the type of thing that would be crazy to pass up. Those rewards can add up to thousands of dollars every year in free money, and include other benefits as well.

We’ve assembled some of the best credit cards for users today.  Don’t miss these offers because they won’t be this good forever.

 

Flywheel Publishing has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Flywheel Publishing and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.