A Ranking of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

It's possible that at first, locals (especially those in the countryside) will come off as a Although it may be difficult to make friends at first, New York City is a diverse and exciting place to live if you can make it through the initial shock. If you must take pictures for Instagram while standing in the street, please do so quickly so as not to impede traffic.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. It's great that Arkansans have such welcoming neighbors, but some tourists may feel like outsiders if they don't feel like they fit in with the locals.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be traversed in under an hour and a half by car, the small size of the state has not translated into a particularly neighborly reputation. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly undeserved) image as dull? As unfortunate as it is, it is considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

People in MA aren't necessarily rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. It's not exactly a quality that makes Massachusetts one of the friendliest states in America if its residents prefer to ignore each other. A lot of time and effort is required to earn the respect of locals and to be considered a "real" Bostonian rather than a "fly-in

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. That appears to be the case, at least according to this survey. The state's residents are known for being bold and forthright. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

The Evergreen State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human residents are a different story. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps it's all the wet weather

Those who call New Hampshire home are passionate about their state and its beauty. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, home to "Sin City," is a state of extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. People in Nevada generally aren't very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida certainly has its work cut out for it, what with Miami consistently ranking as one of the least hospitable cities in the United States. Florida's reputation is slowly but surely improving thanks to cities like Orlando and their tourist-friendly initiatives, but the state as a whole still has some work to do.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island all your life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. Rhode Islanders scored low on Big 7 Travel readers' "friendly scale." Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Even though many people in California take pride in their reputation as being welcoming, our readers tend to disagree. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. It's easier to take it easy in a smaller city.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. To be more precise, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

The people of Connecticut are friendly and outgoing despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Unfortunately, that's not the case. People in New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they'll still open doors for you and greet you warmly. In spite of the state's lack of cultural vitality, its residents find common ground at open mike nights and other community gatherings.

Despite the state's relative isolation, Alaska relies heavily on tourism; consequently, locals are always happy to see visitors. The vast majority of Alaskans, with the exception of Native Alaskans, are immigrants who arrived in the state at some point. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will win you over with their genuine hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. It's unlikely that anyone will invite you over for tea, but you'll find that these people are friendly. Each town has its own unique sense of humor and welcomes visitors with open arms.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view the city as conservative and wary of outsiders. C as well as other major cities, make it a great place to live.

People in Vermont are friendly and sociable, making this an easy state to make new friends in Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. It may take some time for the locals in a small Vermont town to warm up to a newcomer, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

Generally, locals of North Carolina are good-mannered, eager to help and friendly to both other locals and visitors alike A person can hear a "hi" almost anywhere, including the grocery store, the parking lot, or even while waiting for a red light to turn green. An attractive feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

The people of Utah are well-known for their warmth and hospitality, so you will quickly feel at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming large cities in the United States for the LGBTQ community, and it also has a wonderful social scene.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a great place to settle down because of its low crime rate and welcoming locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. As soon as you enter, you'll notice this.

West Virginians are among the friendliest and most hospitable people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is largely isolated from the rest of the country by mountains.

It's common for Iowans to greet strangers with a smile and a hello as they pass one another on the street, contributing to the state's reputation for friendliness. Customers are greeted with warmth at the register, and roadside farmers are happy to discuss their delicious produce.

Although the people of Michigan like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable lot, those in Detroit and Ann Arbor, in particular, can be difficult to get to know. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

Maryland has a large cultural diversity despite being one of the most populous states. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. In a Baltimore bar, you are sure to meet some of your new best friends for life.

The people of Wisconsin are the shining star of the Midwest; they are polite, connected, and joyful. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

This may be one of the least-visited states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with the quality of its residents. Natives of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without seeking anything in return. The community spirit in the state was highly rated by our readers.

The citizens of Oregon are widely known for their friendliness toward total strangers. It may take some time to earn acceptance into Portland's hipster scene, but the people there are nice, I swear. This is the most pet-friendly state in the USA, so Fido is more than welcome here.

When it comes to Southern hospitality, Mississippi is hard to beat. The friendliness of the locals is often cited as a point of surprise for visitors to Mississippi. Once you stop bragging about how great it is "up North" to the locals, they will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

Some Missourians are so eager to share their lives with you that they'll do so before you've even said hello. People here are genuine in both their friendliness and interest in the perspectives of total strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you treat them well. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. It's amazing how many strangers go out of their way to help you, from holding the door open to assisting you with your groceries as you make your way to your car.

All over South Dakota, you'll find progressive, forward-thinking towns populated by involved, pleasant people. In the larger cities, people will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to the latest football scores. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are friendly. There's not much of a difference in the locals' welcoming demeanor depending on whether you're a long-time resident or a tourist. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to convince anyone to pack up and move here tomorrow.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not how it is at all. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers rated it highly. Look lost There is a good chance a friendly local will assist you.

People in nearly every town in New Mexico are warm and welcoming. It is culturally rich and has a relaxed atmosphere. The state of New Mexico is home to two cities that were named among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in the country in 2018. That sums it up

Assuming a population of 10, With a population of over 3 million people, this state in the southern United States is a fascinating blend of rural and urban areas. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Those who read Big 7 Travel's opinions on Georgia agreed that it was rather pleasant.

Repeatedly, you'll hear that Idaho is home to some of the friendliest people in the United States. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. True to its reputation, Idaho welcomes visitors with open arms and genuine kindness.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. It's no secret that Chicago is one of the most popular tourist destinations in America. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. A sense of community characterized by people pitching in to help one another permeates every corner. If you can master the "one finger" wave while behind the wheel, you'll feel like a true native.

Residents here make every effort to make visitors feel at home, despite the city's recent history of natural disasters. Louisianans may come from many different backgrounds, but they all contribute to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and most enjoyable places to live in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. There are many options for children and families to enjoy themselves.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. Everyone you meet in paradise will greet you with a friendly smile, so clearly paradise has a healing effect on the human psyche.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. Residents of this area are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. In the same vein, they are welcoming to outsiders.

Kansas is well-known for its warm hospitality, so visitors from other states should be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers. The friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

The welcoming locals and progressive culture of Colorado make it a top vacation destination. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton of interesting things to learn about, and will have you feeling more at home in no time. Feeling welcome here is something you'll notice right away, whether you're in Denver or the suburbs.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. The locals have a positive disposition and a humorous outlook. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Despite their size, cities still have a strong sense of community, with strangers often offering to help you with things like unsticking your car from the snow or carrying your groceries. Don't bother getting out of the car. Hopefully, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" 'everywhere you go' has undoubtedly contributed to its status as one of the friendliest states in the USA. Locals in its big cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

Locals in South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which contributes to the state's reputation as a pleasant vacation destination. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

There is no shortage of that quintessential Southern hospitality in Tennessee; the locals there are friendly and excited to show visitors around. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

What's more, the winner of the competition between the friendliest states in America is Minnesotans are the friendliest people in the country. It's not without good reason that the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have an exceptionally warm welcome for visitors.