List of the 50 Friendliest States in the USA

The locals (especially those in the upstate) may come off as rude at New York City may seem 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. Don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. And while that bodes well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling awkward and unwelcome.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Why do some of our readers view Delaware negatively? Is it because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

In general, locals in MA aren't rude to tourists, but their indifference can be wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged resident of Boston rather than viewed as a temporary visitor 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 The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

The Evergreen State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human residents are a different story. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps the constant downpours are to blame.

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. It's difficult to make friends among the locals, and there aren't that many people living in the area because of the lack of urbanization.

The state of Nevada, where Sin City is located, is a land of extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a rough place to spend time. People in Nevada generally aren't very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

With Miami consistently ranking as one of the unfriendliest cities in the United States, Florida has its work cut out for it. Tourist-friendly initiatives in places like Orlando are making a big difference for the state's economy, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go before it earns its reputation as it should.

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. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give the residents of Rhode Island 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.

Readers of our paper disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. When it comes to making guests feel at home, Los Angeles is not the City of Angels. Most people tend to take it easier 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. There's a pleasant lack of concern for other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Not really 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.

Though Alaska is remote, the tourism industry is vital to the state's economy, so locals are always happy to see visitors. In fact, with the exception of Alaska 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 vastness, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. They are pleasant enough without inviting you 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 and other major cities, 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 generally go out of their way to assist guests. Those in small towns in Vermont may be slow to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

Most people in North Carolina 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. 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 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. When you first set foot in this location, you'll notice this.

Among the people you'll encounter in your travels across the United States, you'll find West Virginians to be among the most warm and friendly. An easygoing lifestyle creates a friendly environment here. 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 polite. It's not uncommon to see them greet complete strangers as you walk down the street. There is a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling fresh produce on the side of the road.

Michiganders like to think of themselves as a friendly bunch, but Detroit and Ann Arbor in particular can be hard nuts to crack In general, the locals here have a great sense of humor, are laid back, and are incredibly polite.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. Bars in Baltimore are great places to meet potential best friends.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwest, with its pleasant residents known for their polite demeanor, strong sense of community, and positive outlook. People in Green Bay are exceptionally pleasant to be around because it is one of the happiest cities in America. Have the Packers played a role in this at all?

One of the least populous and least visited states in the United States, and it has nothing to do with the friendly locals there. North Dakotans are known for being approachable and helpful, even if they don't get anything in return. A large majority of you, our readers, gave the state a high score in our polling of community qualities.

Oregonians have a reputation for friendliness toward strangers. Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, but the people there are nice, I swear. This is the most pet-friendly state in the USA, so Fido is more than welcome here.

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. Once you stop trying to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like one of the gang.

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. 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.

South Dakota is home to many progressive, forward-thinking towns whose engaged and friendly residents are shaping the state's bright future. Here, people of all ages and backgrounds will strike up casual conversations with total strangers, even in the biggest cities. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

Whatever the situation, you'll find that Kentuckians are friendly. Locals have the same welcoming demeanor for everyone, whether you were born and raised here or are just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities whose reputations for friendliness may not be as high as they deserve. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; locals truly are friendly. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost A friendly local is likely to assist you.

Friendly locals can be found in almost every community across New Mexico. It has a chill vibe and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people So there you go.

A town of only 10 people With a population of over 3 million, this state in the southern United States is a fascinating blend of rural and urban areas, and its residents are known for their warm hospitality. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know locals is simple. A majority of Big 7 Travel readers found Georgia to be a pleasant surprise.

As has been said many times before, our readers agree that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the country. Indeed, locals are warm and welcoming, but not in a stalkerish fashion. 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. As an added bonus, 19 of the safest cities in the United States can be found in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists.

Sweethearts abound in the state of Nebraska. In every direction you look, you'll find people pitching in to help one another, creating a genuine sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave at 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. 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.

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. There are many options for children and families to enjoy themselves.

Hawaii places a premium on its tourist industry, so visitors can expect exceptional service. The "Aloha Spirit" of Hawaii is legendary. 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. Individuals here are always up for a chat and will do whatever they can to protect their own neighborhood. People who visit there will receive the same warm welcome.

Expect to strike up conversations with complete strangers, as the famous Kansas friendliness can surprise visitors from other states. Friendly locals are one of the state's many attractions.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. It's great for taking the kids, there's a ton to learn, and you'll quickly feel like a native. It doesn't matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere, the warmth of this place will greet you right away.

Residents 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 pleasant demeanor and a good sense of humor. Once you visit Indiana, you'll realize it's so much more than a "fly over" state.

While the state of Wyoming itself is relatively tranquil, the people who live there make it a lively and exciting place to visit. Large urban areas still have a strong sense of community; it's not unusual for a stranger to help you carry groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. Don't bother getting out of the car. Hopefully, everything will be fine.

People in Texas are very friendly, and they often say "Howdy" to strangers. Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the country. The people in its big cities will make you feel like you've come home to a friendly small town.

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. The Southern states are well known for their hospitality and kindness and South Carolina has both in spades

Classical Southern hospitality is alive and well in Tennessee, where the people are friendly and excited to show off their hometown. It's already one of the most welcoming places in America, but when you factor in the exciting music scene, you can see why.

As for the most welcoming state in the Union, it is Minnesotans are the friendliest people in the country. Minnesota has earned the nickname "Minnesota Nice" for good reason: the state's major cities and surrounding areas exude a warm, welcoming vibe that is hard to find elsewhere.