America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

At first glance, locals (especially those in the upstate) 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 as a whole is a vibrant melting pot of cultures. Don't block the sidewalk or cause traffic delays by taking photos for Instagram, though.

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

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Is our audience's preconceived notion of Delaware's amiability due to the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a bore? Unfortunately, it is 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 the friendliest state in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Likewise, it takes a considerable amount of time to establish oneself as a permanent resident of Boston rather than a temporary visitor.

Oftentimes, New Jerseyans' demeanor comes across as downright rude. And according to the results of this poll, that seems to be the case The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The (likely) unfriendly station attendant, however, will pump your gas for you.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. Even though Seattleites don't come across as rude, they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, which has earned the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

The people of the Granite State are fiercely proud of their state and its beauty. But that pride can easily be misinterpreted by strangers as arrogance. To make matters more difficult, the locals here are notoriously unfriendly, and the area suffers from low population density and a largely rural demographic.

Nevada, the site of the infamous city of Las Vegas, 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. Individual Nevadans may not go out of their way to assist a stranger.

Florida has its work cut out for it if 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.

It's safe to assume that anyone who wasn't raised in Rhode Island will always be considered a stranger there. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendliness scale." Friendly locals tend to congregate in smaller communities, but don't expect a warm welcome from the cashier at your corner store.

The Golden State's residents may think of themselves as sociable, but our readers beg to differ. 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. This attitude is more of a pleasant indifference to other people.

In general, Connecticut residents are courteous, reserved, and pleasant; however, they can be downright warm and welcoming to visitors. However, that's not the case Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. 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.

Though Alaska is remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. In fact, with the exception of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of the locals here are immigrants who arrived in the area at some point in their lives. They might not respond to you at all if you bother them, but they are not rude if they do.

We think you'll find Montanans to be some of the friendliest people you meet. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more hospitable and inviting to newcomers. Though it may come across to outsiders as conservative and wary, Washington, D.C., is a vibrant center of art and culture. C and other major cities, it's a promising location.

Vermonters are known for being open and hospitable, 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. Newcomers to Vermont's smaller communities may have to wait a while before they're fully accepted, but once they do, they'll have friends for life.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm reception of guests. 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 well-known for their warm hospitality, so you'll quickly feel at ease. 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 desirable place to settle because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

West Virginians are among the most hospitable and warm-hearted 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.

In general, Iowans are known for their warm and welcoming demeanor; it's not uncommon to see people smiling and greeting complete strangers as you walk down the street. You'll get friendly service from the cashiers, and you can chat with the farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

In general, Michiganders have a reputation for being a warm and welcoming people, but the cities of Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular have a reputation for being difficult to navigate. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

Maryland's population density is high, and the state is also home to a wide range of cultural traditions. The welcoming atmosphere and abundance of people make it a great destination for a fun outing or social gathering. A Baltimore bar is a great place to meet potential new 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. People in Green Bay are exceptionally pleasant to be around because it is one of the happiest cities in America. Is there a chance it's connected to the Packers?

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. The people of North Dakota are known for their genuine friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without seeking anything in return. Readers were very complimentary of the state's friendly atmosphere.

State of Oregon residents are known for their friendliness toward total strangers. Getting in with Portland's hipsters may be difficult, but I promise you, they're cool. This is the most pet-friendly state in the USA, so Fido is more than welcome here.

Mississippi is an attractive state that exudes plenty of traditional Southern warmth. When people from other places visit Mississippi, they are often pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the locals. 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 in Missouri will launch into a lengthy recounting of their personal histories. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with 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. Simply out of a desire to be helpful, total strangers will open doors for you and assist you with your purchases all the way to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are populated by engaged and welcoming residents. People here are very open to talking to complete strangers about any topic, from the weather to the latest football game. These folks are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern nice."

No matter what you're going through, you'll find that people in Kentucky will treat you with kindness. 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 anyone consider making the Commonwealth their permanent home.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are friendlier than you might expect. People in this state are so warm and welcoming that the slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local will likely assist you.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. In a nutshell, it's chill and incredibly multi-ethnic. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people At any rate, you now know

With only ten people, This state in the southern United States is home to 3 million people and features a fascinating blend of rural and urban communities. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, it is not difficult to make new friends. The Georgians were viewed favorably by Big 7 Travel readers.

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. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

Illinois, located in the middle of the United States, is home to incredibly warm and welcoming people. 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.

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. Practice waving with one finger while driving, and you'll soon feel like a native.

Despite the region's recent history of natural disasters, the locals will do anything to make you feel at home. 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. The locals are friendly and will gladly recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. Family-friendly events abound, making this a fantastic destination.

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. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. Also, they're very 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.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. It's great for families, there's lots to do, and tourists quickly feel at home among the friendly locals and fascinating history. 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. Even if you've only ever thought of Indiana as a "fly over" state, you should definitely make the trip.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. In fact, even in the busiest of cities, it's not unusual for a complete stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as getting your car unstuck from the snow or carrying your groceries. Lock your keys in the car. It's probably going to make it out unscathed.

The friendly Texans and their "Howdys" are a trademark. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The people of South Carolina are known far and wide for their warmth and hospitality, which is just one of the many reasons the state is a great vacation destination. South Carolina has the famous warmth and generosity of the other Southern states.

Tennessee is a great example of classic Southern hospitality, with friendly locals who are always excited to show visitors around. When you consider that it also has a thriving music scene, you can see why it's considered one of the friendliest states in the United States.

The winner among the most welcoming American states is The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state ranks first. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the Twin Cities and surrounding areas exude a genuine friendliness and hospitality that are hard to find elsewhere.