As Halloween approaches and ghost tours start filling up, some U.S. cities don’t need fog machines or fake cobwebs to set the scene — they’re already crawling with supernatural activity.
A new study from CryptoCasinos analyzed 20 major U.S. cities to uncover where the paranormal feels most at home. Researchers factored in reported ghost sightings, documented haunted locations, the number of local paranormal societies, and even Google search interest in spooky terms. Each city then received a “Haunted Score” out of 100, with ghost sightings carrying the most weight at 60 percent.
The results might surprise you. While some famously eerie destinations made the cut, others climbed the ranks thanks to an unexpected mix of haunted hot spots and active paranormal communities. Here’s how the top 10 shook out — counting down to the spookiest city in America.
#10. Chicago, Illinois (25.25)
Chicago may be known for deep-dish pizza and skyline views, but it’s also got ghostly stories baked into its bones. With 21 recorded ghost sightings and 6 haunted locations, the Windy City’s dark history lingers — from the site of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre to the restless spirits said to roam the Congress Plaza Hotel. Turns out, even the city that rebuilt after the Great Fire still can’t shake a few ghosts.
#9. Savannah, Georgia (25.62)
Savannah’s cobblestone streets and moss-draped oaks are picturesque — until you realize just how many restless souls supposedly wander them. The city logged 24 ghost sightings and 9 haunted locations, and its 18th-century architecture hides centuries of stories. It’s no wonder ghost tours are practically an evening ritual here.
#8. Portland, Oregon (25.73)
Known for coffee culture and craft beer, Portland also has a paranormal streak — with 30 ghost sightings and 4 haunted locations. The Shanghai Tunnels beneath Old Town are a local legend, said to be haunted by victims of 19th-century kidnappings. Quirky and eerie, it’s the kind of city where even the ghosts have personality.
#7. San Antonio, Texas (28.26)
San Antonio’s haunted history is deep-rooted, thanks to its colonial past and famous battlefields. With 27 ghost sightings, this Texas city is home to spooky spots like the Alamo and the Menger Hotel — where guests claim to see long-gone soldiers. Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the ghost stories.
#6. Houston, Texas (32.38)
Houston might be better known for NASA and traffic jams, but it’s quietly racking up ghost sightings — 48, to be exact. With a Haunted Score north of 32, locals whisper about shadowy figures in old theaters and mysterious happenings downtown. It’s official: even Houston’s skyline has a few specters.
#5. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (33.95)
You don’t have to believe in ghosts to feel something in Gettysburg. The site of one of the bloodiest battles in American history, this small Pennsylvania town recorded 44 ghost sightings — many said to be fallen soldiers still patrolling the fields. History buffs and ghost hunters overlap here for good reason.
#4. New Orleans, Louisiana (34.23)
Voodoo, vampires, and haunted cemeteries — New Orleans’ supernatural reputation is legendary. With 26 ghost sightings and 17 haunted locations, plus the highest Google search interest of any city in the study, it’s a place where ghost tours run nightly and no one bats an eye at a spirit sighting. The Big Easy’s mystique is alive and well… even if some of its residents aren’t.
#3. Orlando, Florida (37.08)
It’s not just Mickey and Minnie roaming the streets after dark. Orlando scored high thanks to 22 haunted locations and a haunted score topping 37. The city’s older quarters — long before the theme parks — hold stories of haunted hotels and ghostly apparitions. Apparently, it’s a small world… and a haunted one too.
#2. Las Vegas, Nevada (37.42)
Sin City’s bright lights cast long shadows. With 30 ghost sightings and 7 haunted locations, Vegas proves what happens there doesn’t always stay there. Some say it’s the gamblers who never left the table, others point to old hotels with pasts they’d rather forget. Either way, the city’s supernatural side is as lively as its nightlife.
#1. Austin, Texas (68.06)
Topping the list with 115 ghost sightings — nearly triple the next contender — Austin reigns as America’s most haunted city. Known for keeping things weird, the Texas capital takes that motto seriously. From haunted hotels to restless spirits wandering Sixth Street, it’s a city where the music scene isn’t the only thing that’s lively after dark.
If you’re craving more chills, you can explore the most haunted destinations in each of the 50 states, or see which spots around the world top the list of the most haunted places on Earth. And for those who prefer something a little more otherworldly than ghostly, check out the biggest UFO hotspots in the U.S. — because apparently, we’re not alone on land or in the skies.