America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

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 as a whole is a fascinating melting pot of cultures. Just don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. The friendly atmosphere in Arkansas is great, but it may make tourists feel like outsiders who don't belong there.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a bore? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

It's not that people in MA are rude, but their general lack of interest in interacting with tourists can be wearing. Massachusetts isn't exactly going to be on the list of friendliest states in America if its residents have a tendency to ignore their fellow citizens. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come off as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case Personality-wise, New Jersey residents are known for being very outspoken. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

Even though Washington state consistently performs well on lists of environmentally-friendly states, it fares much worse when it comes to its human inhabitants. 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. That self-respect, however, is often misread as arrogance by those from the outside looking in. Getting along with the locals can be challenging due to their stubbornness, and the area's sparse rural population.

Nevada, the site of the infamous 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. Residents of the Silver State typically aren't 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 unfriendliest 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 has a ways to go.

To put it bluntly, if you weren't raised in Rhode Island, you probably always will be an outsider here. 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.

Our readers do not share the common belief that Californians are as sociable as the rest of the country would like to believe. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are generally chill. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. To be more precise, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Unfortunately, that's not the case. People in New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they'll still open doors for you and greet you warmly. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage to come together at open mike nights and other community events.

Despite the state's remote location, Alaska relies heavily on tourism, and 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. 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 city. They're pleasant enough to interact with, but you won't be invited to their homes for tea. 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 along with 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. 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. It's not uncommon for strangers to greet one another in public places like Walmart, parking lots, and even while waiting for a red light to turn green. One of the best things about this state is the diverse population it contains.

The people of Utah are well-known for their warmth and 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 readership seems to agree that Mainers' warmth and the state's low crime rate make it an attractive place to settle down. 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.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and kindness due to their habit of greeting total strangers with a smile and a wave whenever they pass one another on the street. There is a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling fresh produce from the side of the road.

Most people in Michigan would like to believe that they are a welcoming and sociable bunch, but some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

With a population density that ranks high among the states, Maryland represents a cross-section of American society. Thanks to its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has become a lively and engaging hangout spot for locals and visitors alike. Making new best 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 carefree spirit. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, which explains why its residents are so warm and welcoming. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

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. North Dakotans are known for being friendly and helpful without demanding anything in return. The community spirit in this state received high marks from our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. You can bring your dog along because it is the most pet-friendly state in the USA.

Southern hospitality and charm abound in Mississippi. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. 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've always been there.

People in Missouri are notoriously bad at keeping secrets, and they will spill the beans before you've even had a chance to say hello. They're genuine in their friendliness, and they seem to enjoy hearing from total strangers.

Everyone in Alabama will treat you with kindness if you treat them with kindness first. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in America if you follow that rule of thumb. People you don't know will go out of their way to help you, such as holding the door open or carrying 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 on the street, even in the biggest cities, discussing anything from the weather to the latest football game. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

You won't have any trouble finding a friendly face in Kentucky. Everybody here is friendly, whether you were born and raised here or are just passing through. If you've never been to Kentucky, you'll want to move here the second you meet a typical Kentuckian.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately come to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that couldn't be further from the truth. 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.

Almost everywhere you go in New Mexico, you'll find nice people. It's chill and full of different cultures. Even more impressive, two New Mexico cities ranked among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in the United States in 2018. 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 bigger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is straightforward. They thought Georgia was great, according to Big 7 Travel readers.

Repeatedly, you'll hear that Idaho is home to some of the friendliest people in the United States. Our readers agreed. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. There's no denying that the state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. To top it all off, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. An overwhelming sense of community service can be observed in every direction. If you can master the 'one finger' wave while driving, you'll blend in like a native.

The locals here will do anything to make you feel at home, despite the city's recent history of natural disasters. Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cultures, but its residents share a common trait that makes it a great place to live: their welcoming nature.

Ohioans are known for their gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. Those who live there are friendly and willing to give visitors recommendations on where to eat and drink. Moreover, it's a fantastic destination for families thanks to the abundance of fun things to do here that children will love.

As a state with a strong focus on tourism, Hawaii provides excellent service to its guests. "Aloha spirit" is a trademark of Hawaii. Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly hello, as if paradise itself could cure your emotional ills.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. The locals are always up for a chat and will do whatever they can to protect those within their own community. Visitors can expect the same warm reception.

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 friendliness of the locals towards tourists is one of the state's most attractive features.

Because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals, Colorado is a great vacation destination. It's great for taking the kids, there's a ton to learn, and you'll quickly feel like a native. You can feel the warmth of this place right away, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

"Hoosier hospitality" refers to the residents of Indiana going out of their way to make others feel welcome. The locals have a positive demeanor and a great sense of humor. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

It's true that Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state overall, but its residents are what really set the mood. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to offer assistance with tasks such as unsticking your car from snow or carrying groceries. Don't even bother getting the keys out of the ignition. Most likely, everything will be fine.

Greetings of "Howdy" and the friendly Texans Its welcoming culture and "everywhere you go" vibe have undoubtedly earned it a spot among the top amiable U.S. states. Its people, even in its big cities, have a friendly, welcoming attitude.

The warm hospitality of South Carolinians is well-known, and this is one of the reasons the state is so popular as a vacation destination. South Carolina has all the warmth and friendliness that the South is famous for.

The state of Tennessee exudes quintessential Southern hospitality; its citizens are proud to welcome visitors and love to brag about their hometown. When you consider that it also has a thriving music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's most welcoming states.

The most welcoming state in the United States is The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the nation, making the state a clear winner. 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.