America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could New York City may seem overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll find that each of the five boroughs has distinct neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

If you're from here, Arkansas will treat you like family. 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 it Delaware’s (possibly misjudged) reputation as boring what makes our readers think of it as unfriendly Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

MA locals aren't rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts may not be the friendliest state in America, but that isn't because its residents are particularly good at ignoring them. To be recognized as a local, rather than a tourist, in Boston is a long and arduous process.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. In any case, the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will do what they can to help you out by pumping your gas.

Although Washington State typically performs well on lists of environmentally-friendly states, it fares much worse when the focus shifts to its residents. 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 stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. Nonetheless, it's easy for others to misinterpret such pride as arrogance. Due to its small rural population and obstinate locals, this place can be difficult to make friends in.

Nevada, home of Sin City, is a state of striking contrasts. It's true that Las Vegas can be a rough place to visit, but other cities, like Reno, offer a more relaxed atmosphere. 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 if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States. Cities like Orlando, with their tourist-friendly initiatives, are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island all your 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." While the local cashier is more likely to smile in a smaller town, this is not the case in larger cities.

It's a common misconception that Californians are a friendly bunch, but our readers beg to differ. In terms of friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles is no City of Angels. In fact, the city has an air of indifference that occasionally crosses into rudeness. Locals in smaller towns tend to take life a little easier.

People in Arizona aren't as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill enough to ignore that. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their politeness, reserve, and general niceness. Not so much While residents of New England may have a reputation for being cold, they will still open doors and greet you warmly when you visit. 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, Alaska relies heavily on tourism; consequently, locals are always happy to meet new 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. They might not respond to you at all if you bother them, but they are not rude if they do.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. They are pleasant enough without inviting you over for tea, but you won't be invited to anyone's house. The townspeople joke around and welcome visitors with open arms.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more hospitable and inviting to newcomers. Despite the city's reputation for being conservative and wary of outsiders, Washington, D.C., is a vibrant cultural hub. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to make new friends. Because of the abundance of tourists, the locals are friendly and willing to go the extra mile to accommodate their needs. Even though it may take some time for the locals in a small Vermont town to warm up to a newcomer, 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. At Walmart, in the parking lot, or even while waiting at a red light, people will randomly say "hi." An attractive feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you'll 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.

Readers seem to agree that Maine is a good place to call home 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.

Visitors to the United States will find West Virginians to be among the most warm and friendly they encounter. There’s a chilled out pace of life here that lends itself to a warm atmosphere 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 is a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling fresh produce on the side of the road.

It's a common misconception that all Michiganders are warm and welcoming; in fact, some of the state's largest cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be downright unapproachable. People here have a good sense of humor and are laid back and polite, typical of the Midwest.

The population density in Maryland is high, and the state is also home to a wide range of cultural traditions. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving and friendly atmosphere. Making lifelong friends in a Baltimore bar is a breeze.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest, with its friendly locals, strong sense of community, and positive outlook. The residents of Green Bay, Wisconsin, are known for their unfailing good nature. This is not surprising, given that the city ranks among the happiest in the country. Do the Packers play 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 America. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without demanding anything in return. The community spirit in this state was highly rated by our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. Although Portland's hipster culture may be difficult to enter, the people there are nice (I swear). Having the highest percentage of pet-friendly households in the United States, your dog is guaranteed a warm welcome here.

Southern hospitality and charm abound in Mississippi. It's common for visitors to Mississippi to be pleasantly surprised by the state's warm welcome from locals. Once you refrain from bragging about how great it is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like one of the gang.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy recounting of their life experiences. There is no pretense here; people are genuinely friendly and interested in one another.

People in Alabama are known for their friendliness, so make an effort to be one of them. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. 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 will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. People in 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. In this town, whether you were born and raised here or are just visiting, you will be treated with the same warmth and friendliness. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians will make you want to pack your bags and head here right away.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not how they really are at all. The phrase "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 ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

It's typical of New Mexico to find welcoming locals in even the smallest communities. It's chill and full of different cultures. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people So there you go.

Home to just 10 people 3 million, this state in the southern United States is a unique blend of rural and urban neighborhoods, but the people are warm and welcoming regardless of where you go. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know locals is simple. 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. Indeed, locals are warm and welcoming, but not in a stalkerish fashion. Those who visit Idaho will find that the state lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to outsiders.

Illinois is a beautiful state in the center of the Midwest, and its residents are some of the nicest you'll ever meet. When it comes to welcoming visitors, Chicago is second only to New York City in the United States. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. The sense of community is palpable, with people of all ages and backgrounds pitching in to help one another. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, you'll blend in like a native.

Locals make an effort to make visitors feel at home despite the area'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.

Ohioans are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. The locals have an open mind and are happy to recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. There are plenty of things to do here that children will enjoy as well, making it a fantastic destination for families.

Guests of Hawaii receive exceptional care due to the state's dedication to the tourism industry. As a result of its "Aloha Spirit," it has gained worldwide recognition. Everyone you meet in paradise will greet you with a friendly smile, so clearly paradise has a healing effect on the human psyche.

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. People in this state have such a warm welcome attitude toward tourists, it makes visiting this state a dream.

In addition to having some of the friendliest people anywhere, Colorado's progressive environment makes it a great place to visit. It's great for families, is very secure, and has so much history and culture that tourists quickly begin to feel at home. The warmth of this place is something you can feel the moment you arrive, whether you're in Denver or the suburbs.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help others. The locals have an excellent sense of humor and are generally pleasant to be around. Once you visit Indiana, you'll realize it's 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. You can rest assured that it will arrive in one piece.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. Small-town friendliness is amplified in its major cities by the friendly locals who will make you feel right at home.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina embodies the Southern tradition of warmth and friendliness that has made the region famous.

Stateside Tennesseans are full of life and eager to show off their city to visitors, exemplifying the state's classic Southern hospitality. When you factor in the state's thriving music industry, it's easy to see why it's widely considered to be one of the friendliest in the United States.

As for the most welcoming state in the Union, it is Top honors go to Minnesota, whose residents are known for being among the friendliest in the country. There's a reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the Twin Cities and surrounding areas have an inviting, friendly vibe that's hard to find elsewhere.