In New York City, the superstition surrounding the number 13 is so pervasive that 91% of high-rise buildings omit the floor, according to a report from online casino McLuck.
Developers often skip directly from the 12th floor to the 14th, or rename the 13th floor "12A" or repurpose it to avoid the perceived curse. Apartments located on the 13th floor also tend to sell less frequently than comparable units in the same buildings, the study claimed.
"It's easy to write this off as old superstition, but it's still actively shaping how buildings get numbered today," a McLuck spokesperson said. "That's what makes it such a fascinating study in how deep-rooted these beliefs really are."
In Western culture, the number 13 is often considered unlucky due to its association with Judas Iscariot, the 13th guest at the Last Supper who betrayed Jesus. Estimates suggest that U.S. businesses lose over $800 million in potential income on Fridays the 13th, as Americans reduce travel and large expenses for the day.
This numerical superstition extends beyond real estate. Airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and United Airlines, commonly skip the 13th row on their flights.
Global Numerical Superstitions
Numerical superstitions vary globally. In East Asian cultures, the number four is often avoided due to its pronunciation being similar to the word for 'death' in Chinese. This number is frequently removed from hospital rooms and apartment listings. Even license plates in China rarely feature the number four, making up only 1-3% of all car plates, according to a Bloomberg report.
Conversely, the number eight is considered lucky in Chinese culture because its pronunciation resembles the word for 'to prosper.' This belief has influenced housing prices, with a study in Chengdu, China, finding that apartments on floors ending in eight sold for approximately 235 Yuan more per square meter than those on other floors. These apartments also sold nearly seven days faster.
Even phone numbers are subject to these beliefs. In China, phone numbers ending in "8888" have been auctioned for significant sums, with bids exceeding $13,000 for the rights to use them. In 2003, the phone number 88888888 was sold to Sichuan Airlines for over 2.33 million Yuan, equivalent to approximately $340,000.