Here Are America's 50 Friendliest States, Ranked

In the beginning, locals (especially those living in the upstate) may 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 itself is a melting pot of many cultures. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

As long as you're a local, Arkansas residents tend to be welcoming. 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 that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? It is one of the states with the lowest ratings for friendliness in the United States, which is a shame.

Locals in MA aren't rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts is not known as one of the friendliest states in the country due in large part to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged resident of Boston rather than viewed as a temporary visitor can take years.

In some cases, 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. The (likely) unfriendly station attendant, however, will pump your gas for you.

When it comes to environmental friendliness, Washington state may consistently rank high, but when it comes to people, it's a different story. 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. Still, when dealing with unfamiliar people, that sense of pride can easily come across as arrogance. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, home of Sin City, is a state of extremes. If you're looking for a more welcoming vacation destination than Las Vegas, consider heading to Reno. 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.

There's a good chance that anyone who wasn't raised in Rhode Island would always be considered a stranger there. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendly scale." Neighborhood cashiers are friendlier in smaller towns, but in general, don'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 think they are. When it comes to making guests feel at home, Los Angeles is no City of Angels, instead giving off an air of coldness and even hostility. Casual lifestyles prevail in smaller urban centers.

Arizona certainly doesn't have the Southern-style openness, but the locals are generally chill. 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. In other words, it's a pleasant lack of concern for other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. 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. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage to have fun and get 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. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point in their lives. One of two things will happen; either that, or they will simply ignore you; in either case, 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 large town. Nobody will invite you over for tea, but they're still pleasant. In general, the towns have a good time with each other and have welcoming attitudes toward visitors.

More and more people from all walks of life are settling in Virginia, giving the state a warm and inviting vibe. Washington, D.C., is a cultural mecca, but some might say that it's too traditional and too wary of strangers. C city life, and other major urban centers, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are a welcoming and sociable bunch, so it's not hard to strike up conversations and make new friends here. Since tourism is so important, residents will typically go out of their way to assist guests. Newcomers to Vermont's small towns may have to wait a while before they're fully accepted, but once they are, they tend to stick around.

North Carolinians, in general, are polite, helpful, and welcoming. Anyone can be approached with a "hi" in almost any public place, be it a Walmart, a parking lot, or even while waiting at a red light. 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 should feel right at home here. Salt Lake City is one of the most welcoming big cities in the United States for the LGBTQ community, and it's a wonderful place to live.

Our readers seem to agree that Maine is a great place to call home because of its low crime rate and welcoming community. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. That's the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

West Virginians are known for being some of the friendliest and most helpful people you'll encounter 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.

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, 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. The locals are known for their laid-back demeanor, good sense of humor, and Midwest-style politeness.

As one of the most populous states in the country, Maryland is also culturally rich. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving and friendly atmosphere. 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; its residents are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Since Green Bay is located in one of the United States' happiest cities, it's no surprise that its residents are so amiable. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

Despite its great people, 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. An overwhelming majority of you, our readers, gave the state high marks for its friendly locals.

When it comes to neighborliness, Oregonians have a stellar reputation. Granted, it may take some time to earn acceptance into Portland's hipster scene, but I hear they're pretty chill. Having the highest percentage of pet-friendly households in the United States, your dog is guaranteed a warm welcome here.

When it comes to Southern hospitality, Mississippi is hard to beat. People from out of state are often taken aback by how welcoming Mississippians are. Once you refrain from ranting about how much better life is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you always belonged there.

Before you can even say "hello," a resident of Missouri will launch into a lengthy account of his or her life. There's no pretense here; they're genuinely friendly and interested in talking to strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you are friendly. 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.

The towns and cities throughout South Dakota are thriving hubs of progressive thought and progressive people. Even in the largest cities, it is common practice for people to strike up conversations with total strangers about 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 who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky will treat you with kindness. People here are friendly whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to convince anyone to pack up and move here tomorrow.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities whose reputations as friendly places to live may not be what you'd expect at first glance. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; people here are genuinely kind to one another. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost You can expect some assistance from a friendly local.

Every town in New Mexico has friendly locals. It has a chill atmosphere and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. More so, two New Mexico cities have been recognized as 2018 Top 20 Cities for LGBT-friendly retirement. So there you go.

Home to just 10 people Population of 3 million, this southern state is a fascinating blend of rural and urban areas, and its residents are known for their warm hospitality. Even in major metropolises like Atlanta, getting to know locals is a breeze. There was widespread agreement among Big 7 travelers that Georgia was a pleasant destination.

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.

It's hard to beat the friendliness of the people in Illinois's neighboring states. Chicago is arguably more welcoming to tourists than New York City. Moreover, it is a pleasant state to visit: 19 of the safest cities in America are located in Illinois.

It's true what they say about Nebraskans: they're some of the friendliest people you'll meet anywhere in the United States Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave while behind the wheel, you'll blend in just like a native.

Locals make an extra effort to make visitors feel at home despite the city's recent history of natural disasters. Even though Louisiana is home to a wide variety of cultures, its residents have one thing in common: they make it one of the friendliest and best 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, making this an ideal destination for families.

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.

OKC isn't called "The Big Friendly" for nothing; OK is truly one of the friendliest states in the USA. Individuals here are always up for a chat and will do whatever they can to protect their own neighborhood. 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 friendly nature of the locals is one of the state's many attractions.

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 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.

Hoosiers in the state of Indiana are known far and wide for their generous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to make others' experiences better. The locals have an excellent sense of humor and are generally pleasant to be around. After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is 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's not unusual for a stranger to offer to help you with something like unsticking your car from snow or carrying your groceries. Don't even bother coming back for the keys. Hopefully, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" are a trademark. Its welcoming culture and "everywhere you go" attitude have undoubtedly earned it a spot among the friendliest states in the United States. The people of its big cities will make you feel right at home, as if you'd traveled to one of the smaller towns in the region.

Famously warm and friendly, South Carolinians make for a pleasant visit. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Traditional Southern hospitality is alive and well in Tennessee, where residents are energized by the presence of visitors and proud to show off 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.

And the winner is among America's friendliest states Topping the list is Minnesota, whose residents stand out for their warmth and hospitality. 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.