America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

Some of the locals (especially those in the upstate) may come off as rude at You'll find a wide variety of people and cultures if you stay in New York City long enough, and if you stick to one borough in particular, you'll find a sense of neighborhood in your neighborhood. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic by taking Instagram photos too slowly.

If you're a local in Arkansas, you'll find that the people are very welcoming. Even though Arkansans pride themselves on being friendly neighbors, this can make tourists feel like outsiders who don't belong.

The entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes of driving, but despite its diminutive size, its residents are anything but neighborly. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward 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. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. According to the results of this poll, that appears to be the case. The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. 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 inhabitants are another story. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps it's all the wet weather

New Hampshire is a gorgeous state full of patriotic citizens. Nonetheless, it's easy for others to misinterpret such pride as arrogance. Getting along with the locals can be challenging due to their stubbornness, and the area's sparse rural population.

Nevada, the site of Sin City, is a state 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 has its work cut out for it, as Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming 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.

Many Rhode Islanders have a hard time accepting anyone who wasn't raised there. Readers of Big 7 Travel didn't give Rhode Islanders high marks on the "friendliness scale." While the local cashier is more likely to smile in a smaller neighborhood, they won't exactly go out of their way to make you feel welcome.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are particularly friendly. A general air of aloofness bordering on rudeness pervades Los Angeles, making it anything but the City of Angels when it comes to making visitors feel at home. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

Although the locals in Arizona lack the Southerners' blatant friendliness, they are usually relaxed enough to not be a major distraction. When waiting in line, it's the type of place where total strangers will start talking to each other; however, you shouldn't count on anyone being overly cheerful. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. In any case Even though New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, they will still open doors and greet you warmly when you visit. Despite the state's lack of cultural vitality, residents still manage to pull together for occasional open mike nights and other community events.

Although Alaska is in the middle of nowhere, the state relies heavily on tourism, so its residents are always happy to see visitors. Almost everyone in this city, with the exception of Alaska Natives, is a transplant who has experienced life as a newcomer. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. It's unlikely that anyone will invite you over for tea, but you'll find that these people are friendly. The townspeople joke around with one another in a friendly manner, and they welcome visitors.

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

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and quickly feel at home. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. Small-town Vermonters can be slow to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm welcome to visitors. In any public place, such as a supermarket, a parking lot, or even while waiting for a red light to turn green, you can expect to hear at least one person say "h One of the best things about this state is the diverse population it contains.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right 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 agree that Maine is a great place to settle down because of its low crime rate and friendly locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. When you first step foot here, 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 helps create a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is somewhat sheltered from the rest of the country by a barrier of mountains.

The people of Iowa are known for their friendliness and politeness; it's common to see them greet complete strangers as they pass one another on the street and even wave. There is a genuine sense of community, from the friendly faces of the cashiers to the stories of the farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

Even though Michiganders like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable people, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. Most locals have a healthy dose of good humor and laid-back, polite Midwestern niceness.

When it comes to population density, Maryland ranks high, and the state is also rich in cultural diversity. Given its welcoming nature toward strangers, it is a lively and engaging place to spend some time with friends and strangers alike. Bars in Baltimore are great places to meet potential best friends.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its residents are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country. Have the Packers played a role in this at all?

It's not because of the quality of the locals that this is one of the least populated and least visited states in the United States. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. An overwhelming majority of you, our readers, gave the state high marks for its friendly locals.

They say Oregonians are some of the friendliest people in the country. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. That dog of yours will be just as welcome here as it is the most pet-friendly state in the USA.

Mississippi is a lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. The natives are extremely friendly, and they will make you feel at home as long as you refrain from bragging about how much better life is "up North."

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a detailed account of their entire life. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with strangers.

You'll find Alabama to be a very welcoming place if you maintain a positive disposition. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. Just to be nice, random people will hold the door open for you and assist you with your groceries as you walk out to your car.

South Dakota is home to a wide variety of thriving, progressive communities populated by actively involved and hospitable people. It is common practice for people to strike up conversations with complete strangers, even in the busiest urban areas, and discuss anything from the weather to the latest game. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern nice."

Everyone in Kentucky is friendly no matter what. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. Kentucky residents exude a special brand of friendliness that will have you packing your bags and heading south immediately.

In spite of common perception, cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are actually quite welcoming. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; people here are genuinely warm and helpful. As far as random acts of kindness from strangers go, our readers gave it high marks. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. It has a chill atmosphere and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. In addition, two New Mexico cities ranked among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in 2018. So there you go.

Home to just 10 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 larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Those who read the Big 7 Travel report on Georgia agreed that it was a pretty sweet state.

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. Indeed, Idahoans live up to the state's reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

It's hard to beat the friendliness of the people in Illinois's neighboring states. The number of tourists visiting Chicago annually exceeds that of New York City. According to Neighborhood Scout, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a relatively pleasant state to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, you'll blend in just like a native.

Locals here will do anything to make you feel at home, despite the troubled history of natural disasters in the area. 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.

Ohioans are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. Locals are friendly and willing to show visitors their favorite spots for eating and drinking. There are many options for children, making this an ideal destination for families.

With Hawaii's strong emphasis on tourism, guests are well taken care of in every aspect of their stay. Due to its "Aloha Spirit," it has gained international recognition. Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly wave and a positive attitude suggests that there must be some psychological benefit to living in paradise.

The Big Friendly isn't a nickname for Oklahoma City's capital city for nothing; Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the country. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. Additionally, they are welcoming to outsiders.

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 friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

A pleasant state to visit, Colorado has a progressive vibe and is home to some of the friendliest people anywhere. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton of interesting things to do, and will have you feeling more at home in no time. You can feel the warmth of this place right away, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

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 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 tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Large urban areas still have a strong sense of community; it's not unusual for a stranger to help you carry groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. Don't even bother coming back for the keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

Locals in Texas are always upbeat and ready with a "Howdy" or "Howdy, neighbor!" Its welcoming people "everywhere you go" have undoubtedly earned it a spot among the friendliest states in the United States. The people of its big cities will make you feel right at home, as if you'd traveled to one of the smaller towns in the region.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina has the famous warmth and friendliness of other Southern states, in abundance.

Tennessee has a vibrant culture and friendly locals who are eager to show off their city to visitors, exuding classic Southern hospitality. 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 The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state ranks first. Because of its friendly locals and picturesque landscape, the Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have earned the nickname "Minnesota Nice."