A Ranking of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could New York City may be overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll find that each borough's neighborhoods have a sense of community and that the city itself is a melting pot of many cultures. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. Although this bodes well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Although the state of Delaware is relatively compact (it takes only about 90 minutes to drive from one end to the other), its size does not necessarily equate to neighborliness. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? Unhappily, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

There is a risk that New Jerseyans' demeanor will be misunderstood as rude. Indeed, according to the results of this poll, that is the situation The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The gas station attendant may be unfriendly, but at least they'll pump your gas for you.

Washington State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human inhabitants are another story. Locals aren't rude, but they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, leading some to dub the city "Seattle Freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

The people of the Granite State are fiercely proud of their state and its beauty. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misunderstood 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, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of striking contrasts. 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. The state's reputation has some catching up to do, but cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are making a huge difference.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendliness scale." Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. To put it bluntly, Los Angeles is not exactly the City of Angels when it comes to making visitors feel at home. Most people tend to take it easier in smaller towns.

While the locals in Arizona lack the Southerners' blatant friendliness, they are usually relaxed enough to not be a major distraction. There will be small talk among strangers while waiting in line, but no one will be overly happy to see you. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

The people of Connecticut are friendly, though they tend to be reserved. Not really People in New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they will still open doors for you and greet you warmly. Even though it isn't the most culturally active state, its residents are able to come together at open mike nights and other community events.

Despite the state's relative isolation, Alaskans are always happy to see visitors. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point. One of two things will happen; either that, or they will simply ignore you; in either case, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. In spite of its considerable size, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. However, you won't be invited over for tea, they are nice people nonetheless. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

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 and other major cities make it an appealing location to live in

Vermonters are known for being open and hospitable, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and quickly feel at home. As tourism is a major industry, residents are generally eager to assist guests. Locals in Vermont's smaller communities may take some time to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

Locals in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help both visitors and fellow citizens. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. The diversity of its residents is one of the state's most notable features.

The people of Utah are known for their warmth and hospitality, so you will quickly feel at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most sociable and exciting places to live in America, and it is also recognized as one of the most welcoming cities for the LGBTQ community.

Our readership seems to share the opinion that Maine is a great place to settle down because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. Those from New England are notoriously shy, but Mainers are known for their openness and friendliness. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

Traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll meet. 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.

People in Iowa are known for being friendly and helpful, as evidenced by the frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" in everyday interactions with strangers. There's a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

While the people of Michigan would like to believe that they are a welcoming and sociable lot, those living in Detroit and Ann Arbor, in particular, can be difficult to get along with. The locals have a great sense of humor, are laid back and polite, and embody the Midwest ideal of a friendly community.

State of Maryland is highly populated and culturally diverse. As a result of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has become a lively and exciting place to spend time with friends. In a Baltimore bar, you are sure to meet some of your new best friends for life.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its citizens are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Considering Green Bay's status as one of the United States' happiest cities, its residents' easygoing demeanor is hardly surprising. Is there a chance it's connected to the Packers?

It's not because of the quality of the locals that this is one of the least populated and least visited states in America. People in North Dakota are known for being approachable and helpful, often without any sort of payment or reward being expected in return. The community spirit in the state was rated highly by our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. Even though Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, the people there are nice (I swear). Because it ranks highest in pet-friendliness, your dog is guaranteed to be accepted here.

The state of Mississippi is absolutely lovely, full of warm hospitality and delicious Southern cuisine. Most tourists are pleasantly surprised by the welcoming nature of Mississippians. Once you stop trying to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you always belonged there.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," people from Missouri will launch into a lengthy recounting of their personal histories. 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. If you follow that rule, you'll soon discover that Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the Union. Just because they want to be nice, strangers will do nice things like hold the door open and help you carry your groceries to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming residents. People here are very open to talking to complete strangers about any topic, from the weather to the latest football game. 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. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make you pack your bags and head here right away.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. Pennsylvanians are so warm and welcoming that the state's motto, "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania," was coined for this very reason. For its helpfulness from total strangers, our readers gave it high marks. Look lost Most likely, a friendly local will offer assistance.

The people of New Mexico are known to be among the friendliest you'll encounter anywhere. In a nutshell, it's chill and incredibly multi-ethnic. And in 2018, two New Mexico cities were named among the Top 20 Retirement Cities for the LGBT community. So there you go.

With only ten people, 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 major metropolitan areas like Atlanta, forming meaningful relationships with locals is a breeze. Those who read the Big 7 Travel report on Georgia thought it was great.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. As a state, Idaho truly lives up to its reputation for genuine friendliness and openness to visitors.

Illinois, located in the center of the Midwest, is home to incredibly warm and welcoming people. In comparison to New York City, Chicago is widely regarded as one of the most tourist-friendly cities in the United States. According to Neighborhood Scout, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in the state of Illinois, making it a good destination for tourists.

It's true what they say about Nebraskans: they're some of the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. A sense of community characterized by people helping each other out can be found virtually anywhere you look. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, you'll blend in just like a native.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area's recent history of natural disasters. Despite its ethnic diversity, Louisiana is home to some of the most welcoming and fun-loving people in the United States.

One of the best examples of good manners and genuine friendliness in the Midwest can be found in the state of Ohio. Tourists can confidently ask locals for recommendations on where to eat or drink, as the people living there are friendly and open. As a bonus, there are many options for children to enjoy themselves here, making it an ideal destination for families.

Because tourism is Hawaii's main industry, visitors can expect exceptional service. Because of its "Aloha Spirit," it has gained worldwide recognition. Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly wave, so clearly paradise has some sort of healing effect on the human psyche.

The Big Friendly isn't a nickname for Oklahoma City's capital city without good reason; Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the Union. In this area, people are always up for a chat and will do anything they can to protect those within their own community. In addition to being welcoming to locals, they extend the same warmth to tourists.

Visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous friendliness of Kansans, so they should be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers. The warmth of the locals toward tourists is one of the state's greatest attractions.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. It's great for families, there's a ton to see and do, and tourists quickly begin to feel at home in this cultural hotspot. You can feel the warmth of this place right away, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

People in Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help those in need. The locals have a positive disposition and a great sense of humor. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively calm state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. The car keys are still in the ignition. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdy"s are a trademark. This state's reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has undoubtedly earned it a spot among the top ten friendliest in the United States. There's a touch of small-town friendliness in the country's major cities.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina has all the friendliness and hospitality associated with the South in spades.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its citizens are always 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.

Among the states in the United States, which one do residents rate as the friendliest? The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state wins first place. There's a reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice" by visitors: the Twin Cities and surrounding areas exude a genuine warmth and friendly welcome that can't be found elsewhere.