Friendliest States in the United States, Ranked

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could If you can make it through the hustle and bustle of the city, you'll be rewarded with a community feel in one of New York City's many culturally diverse boroughs. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

Those who are native to the state will find Arkansas to be a welcoming place. While this is great news for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

It's true that Delaware is a relatively small state, and that it only takes about 90 minutes to drive across the entire state. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? Unfortunately, it is considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Although most people in Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, the general apathy they exhibit toward tourists can be wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

The attitude of Jersey residents 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. Unfortunately, the (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will have to pump your gas for you, but at least they have that going for them.

Consistently placing high on lists of environmentally-friendly states, Washington is a different story when it comes to its residents. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps the precipitation has played a role.

The people of New Hampshire are extremely patriotic and proud of their state, and the state itself is stunning. 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 does not 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. Individual Nevadans may not go out of their way to assist a 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. 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.

The majority of Rhode Islanders were not born and raised there, so anyone who moves there from another state is likely to be treated as an oddity. The residents of Rhode Island weren't high on the 'friendly scale' according to Big 7 Travel readers. Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are particularly friendly. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles is no hospitable city. In fact, it has an air of disdain that borders on rudeness. Less hectic lifestyles can be found in smaller towns.

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. Positive indifference to other people rather than animosity

Connecticut residents are polite, reserved and generally nice, but outright friendly The answer is no. Despite their reputation for coldness, New Englanders will always hold the door for you and offer a friendly greeting. 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. To the contrary, with the exception of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of the locals are immigrants who have experienced life as a newcomer at some point. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

Montanans are surprisingly friendly and outgoing. Despite its massive size, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. Nobody will invite you over for tea, but they're still pleasant. 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. D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some may view it as conservative and wary. C in comparison to other major cities, which makes it a good place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal place to make new friends. The locals are very friendly and helpful because tourism is very important to the economy. Those in small towns in Vermont may be slow to warm up to newcomers, but 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. 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 warm hospitality, so you should feel right at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming large U.S. cities for the LGBTQ community.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is an attractive state to relocate to because of its low crime rate and generally welcoming locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England contemporaries, are known to be friendly and outgoing. If you come here, you'll notice this right away.

When traveling across the United States, you'll find that West Virginians are among the most warm and friendly people you'll meet. 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 complete strangers with a smile and a hello whenever they pass one another on the street. There is a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling fresh produce on the side of the road.

While most Michiganders like to think of themselves as hospitable, those in Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be tough. The locals have a great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite for being from the Midwest.

The population of Maryland is one of the highest in the country, and the state's cultural landscape reflects this. Because of its welcoming nature, it has a thriving social scene and is a fun place to spend time with others. 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 and polite citizens and their strong sense of community. 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. It might be related to the Packers, right?

It's not because of the quality of the locals that this is one of the least populated and least visited states in the United States. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. The community spirit in this state received high marks from 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. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the United States.

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. After you refrain from bragging about how much better life is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

When you meet a Missourian, you can expect to hear their entire life story before you've even said hello. 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. Follow that guideline, and you'll soon discover that Alabama is among the friendliest states in the Union. Sometimes, random people will go out of their way to help you, such as by 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."

No matter what you do or say, you will 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 is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

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; the locals here are always happy to help. Readers gave it high marks for the amount of assistance they received from total strangers. Look lost Hopefully, a friendly local will be able to assist you.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It has a chill atmosphere and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. To top it all off, two New Mexico cities were included in the Top 20 Cities for LGBT Retirement in 2018. Now you know

Having only 10 people in it, With a population of over 3 million people, this southern state offers a fascinating blend of rural and urban settings. Even in major metropolitan areas like Atlanta, getting to know locals is a breeze. Some of the readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

Innumerable readers agreed with the widespread belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country. There is a genuine friendliness among the locals, and it is not accompanied by intrusive small talk. Idaho's reputation for friendliness and openness towards visitors is well-deserved.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. If you're looking for a city that welcomes tourists more than New York City, look no further than Chicago. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

People from Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. There is a palpable sense of community, with people of all walks of life pitching in to help out those in need. Once you master the "one finger" wave while behind the wheel, you'll feel like a true 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 most welcoming and enjoyable in the United States.

To see true Midwestern manners and friendliness in action, look no further than Ohio. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. The abundance of fun things to do here with children make it a fantastic destination for families.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. The "Aloha Spirit" is what makes Hawaii famous. It must be good for the spirit to live in paradise, because everyone you meet will greet you with a friendly smile.

For good reason, Oklahoma is known as "The Big Friendly," and its capital city bears the same moniker. People here are very talkative and will always look out for their own. They are just as friendly to guests as they are to locals.

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.

A pleasant state to visit, Colorado has a progressive vibe and is home to some of the friendliest people anywhere. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton of interesting things to do, and will have you feeling more at home in no time. 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 famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help those in need. The locals have a positive disposition and a great sense of humor. If you think of Indiana as a "fly over" state, think again.

The people of Wyoming are what really make this state exciting, even if it is a relatively quiet place. Even in large urban areas, it is not unusual for a stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as unsticking your car from the snow or carrying your groceries. Don't bother getting out of the car. Assuming all goes well, it should be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has undoubtedly helped it rank high among the friendliest states in the United States. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

South Carolinians are known for their warm hospitality, which is one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina has all the friendliness and hospitality associated with the South in spades.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its citizens are always excited 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.

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 why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have an inviting, friendly demeanor that's hard to find elsewhere.