List of the 50 Friendliest States in the USA

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could It's true that New York City can be 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. However, you shouldn't linger in the street or impede traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. Despite the state of Arkansas's reputation for neighborly warmth, some out-of-staters may feel they 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. What makes our readers assume that Delaware is unwelcoming? Is it its (possibly unfair) reputation as boring? It is one of the states with the lowest ratings for friendliness in the United States, which is a shame.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to merely a temporary resident, can take years.

The Jersey way of life can come across as extremely impolite at times. This survey seems to back up that notion. The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. 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 that doesn't mean its residents are. Residents of Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do exude a certain "polite but unfriendly" vibe that has earned the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

People in New Hampshire are very proud of their state and its beauty. A lot of times, though, other people take that pridefulness for arrogance. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, the site of the infamous city of Las Vegas, 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 America. 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 your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. Readers of Big 7 Travel didn't give Rhode Islanders high marks on the "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. Unfortunately, Los Angeles isn't exactly known for its friendliness toward visitors. In fact, the city has a reputation for being uninviting and even rude to those who aren't locals. It's easier to take it easy in a smaller city.

Though the locals in Arizona lack the Southerners' blatant friendliness, they are usually laid back enough to not be a problem. While waiting in line, you might strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't count on any huge grins being exchanged. Positive indifference to other people rather than animosity

The people of Connecticut are friendly and polite, but also somewhat reserved. Not really 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.

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. 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 friendliness and hospitality. Despite its vastness, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. There is friendly competition between the cities, with a warm welcome extended to visitors.

The state of Virginia has always been known for its warm and welcoming culture, but the state's increasing diversity is only making that reputation stronger. The nation's capital is a cultural mecca, but some may view it as conservative and wary of outsiders. C and other major cities, it's an attractive location.

The people of Vermont are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to meet new friends. Because tourism is so important to the area's economy, residents are generally eager to go the extra mile to accommodate visitors. Vermonters in smaller communities can be slow to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

In my experience, natives of North Carolina are polite, helpful, and welcoming to anyone. Anywhere from the supermarket to the parking lot to a stoplight, people will say "hi." 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 sociable and exciting places to live in the United States, and it also happens to be one of the most welcoming cities for the LGBTQ community.

Most of our readers 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. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

Locals in West Virginia are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness, making it one of the best places to visit 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 being a warm and welcoming lot, always quick to smile and say hello to a stranger they pass 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. Everyone here has a great sense of humor and is laid back and polite in that classic Midwestern way.

Maryland has a large cultural diversity despite being one of the most populous states. With its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has quickly become a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike. The local bar scene in Baltimore is fantastic for meeting potential best friends.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest; its citizens are known for their politeness, community spirit, and positive outlook. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. What role, if any, could the Packers play in this?

You won't find many people living here or tourists passing through, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the people who do call it home. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. The community spirit in this state was highly rated by our readers.

People in Oregon are known for being friendly and welcoming to visitors. Although Portland's hipster culture may be difficult to enter, the people there are nice (I swear). It also has the highest percentage of pet-friendly households in the United States.

It's undeniable that Mississippi is a beautiful state, full of all the warmth and hospitality that the South is famous Foreigners are often taken aback by the warm welcome they receive in Mississippi. Once you stop bragging about how great it is "up North" to the locals, they will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

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.

Assuming you carry yourself in a cordial manner, you can expect the same courtesy from your Alabama counterparts. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in America if you follow that rule of thumb. The act of being nice is rewarded, and strangers will go out of their way to help you with everything from holding the door open to carrying bags of groceries to your car.

There are many progressive and forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming locals. Everyone, even in the largest cities, is perfectly comfortable striking up conversations with complete 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 are friendly. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. 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 may not immediately associate with friendliness, are great places to visit. You've got a friend in Pennsylvania because its residents are so warm and welcoming. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

In most of New Mexico's towns, you'll find hospitable locals. In a nutshell, it's chill and incredibly multi-ethnic. Not only that, but two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people made it onto the Top 20 Cities list this year! So there you go.

Only 10 people live there, so it's pretty empty. 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 larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. In a survey conducted by Big 7 Travel, Georgia received a score of 4.5 out of 7.

Overwhelmingly, our readers agreed with the claim that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the United States. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. True to its reputation, Idaho welcomes visitors with open arms and genuine kindness.

The people of Illinois, located smack dab in the middle of the Midwest, are among the friendliest you'll ever meet. When compared to New York City, Chicago is often regarded as the more welcoming destination for international visitors. Illinois is a great tourist destination because it is home to 19 of the country's safest cities, as ranked by the website Neighborhood Scout.

When it comes to Americans, you won't find a nicer bunch than those who live in Nebraska. A sense of community characterized by people helping one another can be found virtually anywhere you look. When you master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll feel 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 good manners and friendly demeanor, making the Buckeye State a shining example of the Midwest. In general, locals are friendly and willing to show visitors around, especially their favorite restaurants and watering holes. It's also fantastic for families, as there are many things to do there that are geared toward children.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. This place is famous 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.

That they call OKC "The Big Friendly" isn't a coincidence; Oklahoma is, in fact, one of the friendliest states in the USA. A local's priority is always their own neighborhood, and they're always up for a chat. They treat visitors with the same warmth and hospitality as locals.

Be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers, as visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous Kansas friendliness. The warmth and friendliness of the locals to tourists is what makes their state so special.

This state has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive environment that makes for a great vacation. 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. Whether you're in the city of Denver or out in the country, the warmth of the people here is something you'll notice right away.

The people of Indiana take great pride in their legendary "Hoosier hospitality," in which they routinely go out of their way to help strangers. The locals have a positive demeanor and an entertaining sense of humor. After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

In spite of Wyoming's reputation as a peaceful state, its residents make visiting the state a delight. Even in large cities, it is not uncommon for a stranger to offer assistance with tasks such as unsticking your car from snow or carrying groceries. Don't bother getting out of the car. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their "Howdy"s are a trademark. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. 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 has the famous warmth and friendliness of other Southern states, in abundance.

Tennessee is a great example of the classic Southern charm that has made the South so popular, with friendly, outgoing locals who are eager to show visitors around. When you factor in the state's active music scene, it's easy to see why it's widely considered to be one of the friendliest in the United States.

Finally, the most welcoming state in the United States is The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the country. Minnesota has earned the nickname "Minnesota Nice" because the state as a whole exudes a warm and welcoming vibe that is difficult to match.