America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

At first glance, locals (especially those from 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. But don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

To reiterate, if you're from Arkansas, you'll be treated like a local there. That may bode well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, but it may leave out-of-towners feeling awkward and unwelcome.

Delaware may be a small state, with a total driving time of only 90 minutes, but its lack of neighborliness is not to be taken lightly. What makes our readers assume that Delaware is unwelcoming? Is it its (possibly unfair) reputation as boring? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

Locals in MA aren't rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts isn't exactly going to make the list of the friendliest states in America if its residents have a tendency to ignore their fellow citizens. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to an outsider, can take years.

Jersey residents' demeanor is sometimes misunderstood as rudeness. This survey seems to confirm that to be the case. People from New Jersey tend to have bold and forthright characters. The (likely) unfriendly station attendant, however, will pump your gas for you.

The Evergreen State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human residents are a different story. It's not that people in Seattle are rude per se, but rather that they give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, hence the nickname "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. A lot of times, though, other people take that pridefulness for arrogance. Due to its small rural population and obstinate locals, this place can be difficult to make friends in.

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. General, people in Nevada are not very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida certainly has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States. Tourist-friendly initiatives in places like Orlando are greatly enhancing the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go before it is widely recognized.

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 magazine's "friendly scale." There may be more friendliness in smaller communities, but don't expect a warm welcome from the cashier at your local establishment.

People in California like to think of themselves as friendly, but our readers don't agree. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. The pace of life tends to be slower in smaller towns.

There's no denying that Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. Waiting in line here might lead to a chat with a complete stranger, but don't hold your breath for any genuine smiles. Instead, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and polite, but not overly outgoing. Not really Although New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, they will still open doors for you and greet you warmly when you visit. The state isn't exactly a hotbed of artistic expression, but open mike nights and other community gatherings do their part to keep people connected.

Although Alaska is quite remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. And, with the exception of Alaska Natives, the vast majority of current locals can relate to the experience of being a stranger in a strange land. They might not respond to you at all, which is not rude, or they might.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. Despite how nice they are, you won't be invited over for tea. Between cities, there is friendly banter, with an upbeat outlook on 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, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, so it shouldn't be hard to make friends here. People here go out of their way to assist tourists because the industry is so important to the local economy. Newcomers to rural Vermont may have to wait a while before they are fully accepted, but once they are, they have a lifetime of friends to look forward to.

The locals in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help. People will greet you with a "hi" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. One of the best things about the state is the diverse population it contains.

Utahns are known for their warmth and hospitality, so you'll quickly feel at home here. One of the most sociable and lively places to live in the United States, Salt Lake City is also known for its welcoming attitude toward the LGBTQ community.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a good place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. It's common knowledge that Mainers are friendly and outgoing compared to their New England counterparts, who are known for their reserved demeanor. What you see is what greets you as soon as you enter this place.

Among the people you'll encounter in your travels across the United States, you'll find West Virginians to be among the most warm and friendly. 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 prevalence of "hellos" and "waves" to passers-by. Customers are greeted with warmth at the register, and roadside farmers are happy to discuss their delicious produce.

Although Michiganders like to think of themselves as a warm and welcoming people, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. People in this region are known for their laid-back demeanor, good sense of humor, and Midwestern politeness.

Because of its high population density, Maryland features a wide range of ethnic and cultural groups. 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.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest, with friendly locals who value their community and a positive outlook on life. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and welcoming. Is there a chance that it's related to the Packers?

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the USA, but that has nothing to do with the quality of its residents. North Dakotans are known for being friendly and helpful to strangers without seeking any sort of reward. The state received high marks from our readers for its friendly atmosphere.

Oregonians have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming to visitors. Getting in with Portland's hipsters may be difficult, but I promise you, they're cool. Also, your dog is guaranteed to be accepted here, as this state is ranked highest in the country for pet friendliness.

There's plenty of amiable, down-home wholesomeness in Mississippi. Most visitors to Mississippi are pleasantly surprised to find that locals are warm and welcoming. 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 can even say "hello," a resident of Missouri will launch into a lengthy account of his or her life. They're not pretending to be friendly or interested in what others have to say; they genuinely care about others.

If you treat everyone you meet in Alabama with kindness, they will treat you with kindness in return. Adhere to that rule of thumb, and you'll find that Alabama is among the friendliest states in the USA. 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.

South Dakota is home to many progressive, forward-thinking towns whose engaged and friendly residents are shaping the state's bright future. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. The residents of this region are the epitome of the term "Midwestern nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are friendly. It doesn't matter if you're a lifelong resident or a tourist; the locals will treat you with the same warmth and friendliness. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are friendlier than you might expect. Indeed, the slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; locals here are among the friendliest people you'll ever meet. With regards to random acts of kindness, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost Your chances of getting help from a friendly local are high.

Every town in New Mexico has friendly locals. It's chill and full of different cultures. New Mexico is home to two cities that were named among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in the country in 2018. Now you know

Only 10 people live there, so it's pretty empty. With a population of over 3 million people, this state in the southern United States is a fascinating blend of rural and urban communities, but its residents are warm and welcoming no matter where you go. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, it's not hard to strike up conversations with strangers. Readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. People are genuinely nice here, and not in a stalkerish manner. True to its reputation, Idaho welcomes visitors with open arms and genuine kindness.

Illinois is a state in the center of the United States's Midwest, and its residents are some of the friendliest you'll ever meet. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

Sweethearts abound in the state of Nebraska. 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 while driving, you'll blend in like a native.

Locals make an extra effort to make you feel at home despite the city's recent history of natural disasters. Despite its ethnic diversity, Louisiana is a great place to live because of its welcoming and warm people.

As a shining example of Midwestern civility and genuine goodwill toward others, Ohio is a national treasure. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many things to do there that are geared toward children.

Due to Hawaii's strong commitment to the tourist industry, the state's guests are lavished with exceptional levels of service and care. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. It must be good for the spirit to live in paradise, because everyone you meet will greet you with a friendly smile.

Not without reason does Oklahoma City go by "The Big Friendly," for this is indeed one of the friendliest states in the Union. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They are just as 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 warmth and friendliness of the locals to visitors 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. Whether you're in the city of Denver or the suburbs, the warmth of the locals will greet you with open arms.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their famous "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. After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil 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. Don't bother getting out of the car. With any luck, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" That it has friendly people "everywhere you go" is a big reason why people consider it one of the friendliest states in the United States There's a touch of small-town friendliness in the country's major cities.

The warm hospitality of South Carolinians is well known, and it's one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Tennessee is a great example of classic Southern hospitality, with friendly locals who are always excited to show visitors around. One of the most welcoming states in America, thanks in large part to its thriving music scene.

And the winner is among America's friendliest states People in Minnesota are known for being some of the friendliest in the country. The Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have an unrivaled "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals.