Friendliest States in the United 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 see 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.

The people of Arkansas tend to be warm and welcoming if (and only if) you're a native. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

A person can drive across the entire state of Delaware in under an hour, but that doesn't make it any more neighborly. Is our readership's perception of Delaware's unfriendliness based on the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

In general, locals in MA aren't rude to tourists, but their indifference can be wearing. Massachusetts may not be one of the friendliest states in the country because its residents tend to ignore them. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case It's common knowledge that people from New Jersey have bold, outspoken characters. The gas station attendant may not be very friendly, but at least they'll pump your gas for you.

Washington 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. Is it the constant downpour to blame?

The people of New Hampshire are extremely loyal to their home state and its beauty. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

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 certainly has its work cut out for it if Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least friendly cities in the United States. Orlando's tourist-friendly initiatives are a huge boon to the state, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go before its reputation catches up.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. According to Big 7 Travel readers, Rhode Islanders aren't particularly hospitable. Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

People in California like to think of themselves as friendly, but our readers don't agree. When it comes to friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. Compared to larger cities, those in the countryside tend to have a more relaxed vibe.

Even though Arizonans don't exactly exude the Southern-style warmth, they're chill enough to be ignored. When waiting in line, it's the kind of place where complete strangers will start talking to each other; however, you shouldn't count on anyone being overly cheerful. The attitude is one of pleasant indifference to other people.

The people of Connecticut are friendly and outgoing despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. This is 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.

Although Alaska is quite remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point in their lives. They may do this or simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will surprise you with their friendliness and hospitality. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. It's unlikely that anyone will invite you over for tea, but you'll find that these people are friendly. Communities joke and tease one another in a way that is both fun and welcoming to visitors.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, despite the fact that some may view it as quite traditional and wary of strangers. C and other major cities make it a promising location to live in

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. Newcomers to Vermont's small towns may have to wait a while before they're accepted, but once they are, they tend to stick around.

The people who call North Carolina home are known for their politeness, willingness to aid strangers, and warm welcome to visitors. People will greet you with a "hi" practically anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. A distinctive feature of the state is the wide variety of people who call it home.

Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. In addition to being one of the most sociable and lively cities in the country, Salt Lake City is also known for its welcoming attitude toward the LGBTQ community.

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.

Some of the warmest and most friendly people you'll encounter in your travels across the United States will be West Virginians. The relaxed rhythms of daily life help create a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is largely cut off from the rest of the country by mountains.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and kindness due to their habit of greeting complete strangers with a smile and a hello whenever they pass one another on the street. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and 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. Typical of the Midwest, locals here are friendly, laid-back, and humorous.

Because of its high population density, Maryland features a wide range of ethnic and cultural groups. As a result of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has become a lively and exciting place to hang out with friends. 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 its friendly locals, strong sense of community, and carefree outlook. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country. Perhaps the Packers have something to do with it.

There's no reason to believe that the state's low population and low tourism numbers are due to the quality of its residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand with no strings attached. The community spirit in this state was highly rated by our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. It may take some time to earn acceptance into Portland's hipster scene, but I promise it's worth it. The state is the most pet-friendly in the country, so Fido is guaranteed to fit right in.

Mississippi is an endearing state full of homey touches typical of the South. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. The locals 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 lengthy account of their life experiences. They're genuine in their friendliness and interest in conversing with strangers.

In Alabama, if you're a nice person, everyone will be nice to you. If you follow that rule, you'll soon discover that Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the Union. 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 thriving, progressive communities in South Dakota that are home to active and welcoming residents. People here are very open to talking to complete strangers about any topic, from the weather to the latest football 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. The unique warmth of Kentuckians will have you packing your bags and heading south immediately.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; people here are genuinely kind to one another. With regards to random acts of kindness, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost There is a good chance that a friendly local will assist you.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It is culturally rich and has a relaxed atmosphere. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people So there you go.

For a total of 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, it is not difficult to make new friends. Most of the Big 7 Travel readers who visited Georgia found it to be a pleasant experience.

Readers overwhelmingly agreed that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country. The locals are genuinely warm and welcoming, and not in a creepy, prying way. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

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. All around you, you'll find people pitching in to help each other out, giving off a palpable sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, 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.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. There are many options for children and families to enjoy themselves.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. It’s known for its “Aloha Spirit” 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. 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 of the locals toward tourists is one of the state's greatest attractions.

Colorado has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive culture that makes it a great place to visit. It's a great place to bring the kids, there's a ton of interesting history to learn about, and vacationers will quickly feel at home here. No matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere, the warmth of this place will greet you right away.

"Hoosier hospitality" refers to the residents of Indiana going out of their way to make others feel welcome. The locals have an infectious sense of humor and are generally pleasant to be around. 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 complete stranger to offer assistance with tasks such as unsticking your car from snow or carrying groceries. Don't even bother coming back to get the keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" are an indelible part of any trip to the Lone Star State. There is no doubt that its reputation as one of the most welcoming states in the United States is due in large part to the fact that people there are extremely nice wherever you go. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. 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 eager to show visitors around. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

To top it all off, 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. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice": the Twin Cities and surrounding areas exude a genuine friendliness and hospitality that are unrivaled anywhere else.