List of the 50 Friendliest U.S. States

At first, locals (especially upstate) might come across as a little brusque. 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. Just don't linger in the street or impede traffic while snapping photos for Instagram.

If you're from here, Arkansas will treat you like family. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Delaware may be a small state, with a total driving time of only 90 minutes, but its lack of neighborliness is not to be taken lightly. Why do some of our readers view Delaware negatively? Is it because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? This is one of the least welcoming states in the Union, unfortunately.

While residents of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, their lack of interest in interacting with tourists can be wearing. Massachusetts isn't going to be on anyone's list of the friendliest states in America if its residents have a tendency to ignore them. Likewise, it takes a considerable amount of time to establish oneself as a permanent resident of Boston rather than a temporary visitor.

New Jerseyans' demeanor is sometimes misunderstood as rudeness. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case People from the Garden State have a reputation for being blunt and direct. But at least the (likely unfriendly) gas station worker will fill up your tank.

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 precipitation.

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 can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. In general, Nevadans are not very willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

The state of 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. Florida's reputation is slowly but surely improving thanks to cities like Orlando and their tourist-friendly initiatives, but the state as a whole still has some work to do.

It's likely that anyone who wasn't raised in Rhode Island will always be considered a stranger there. The residents of Rhode Island were not particularly well received by Big 7 Travel readers on the "friendliness scale." Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

Although many native Californians and transplants like to think of themselves as friendly, our readers beg to differ. In terms of friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles is no City of Angels, and its residents tend to be distant to the point of being rude. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they're chill nonetheless. 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. Kind of a pleasant indifference to other people.

The people of Connecticut are friendly and outgoing despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Maybe not as much People in New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they'll still open doors and greet you if you ask. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage 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. Other than Alaska Natives, most of the locals here have been transplants at some point in their lives. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

The people of Montana will win you over with their genuine hospitality. Though large, the entire state has the feel of a large town. They are pleasant enough without inviting you to their homes for tea. The towns all joke around with each other and treat visitors with friendliness.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state's already warm and friendly culture even more so. 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 known for being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal place to make new friends. 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 fully 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" almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. One of the best things about the state is the diverse population it contains.

The people of Utah are well-known for their warmth and 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 contemporaries, are known for their friendliness and openness. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

You won't find a more hospitable or friendly group of people anywhere in the United States than West Virginians. 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. People are friendly and helpful (even the cashiers), and you can buy fresh produce directly from farmers along the road.

The people of Michigan like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable bunch, but 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.

With a population density that ranks high among the states, Maryland represents a cross-section of American society. 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.

The people of Wisconsin are the shining star of the Midwest; they are polite, connected, and joyful. Given that Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and friendly. What role, if any, could the Packers play in this?

The low population and tourist volume in this state have nothing to do with the quality of its residents. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. According to your ratings, the community spirit in this state is very strong.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. The Portland hipster scene might be difficult to break into, but the people there are nice, I swear. As the most pet-friendly state in the USA, your dog is guaranteed a warm welcome.

Mississippi is an endearing state full of homey touches typical of the South. People from out of state are often taken aback by how welcoming Mississippians are. Once you stop trying to convince them that life is better "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like you always belonged there.

Before you've even had a chance to say "hello," people in Missouri will launch into a lengthy recounting of their personal histories. There is no pretense or false friendliness here; people are genuinely kind and curious to hear from total strangers.

In Alabama, if you're a nice person, everyone will be nice to you. If you follow that simple guideline, you'll soon discover that Alabama is among the friendliest states in the Union. 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. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. One could say that 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. There's not much of a difference in the locals' welcoming demeanor depending on whether you're a long-time resident or a tourist. A certain kind of friendliness unique to Kentuckians will have you packing your bags and heading here tomorrow.

It's possible that cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh don't immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not the case. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers gave it high marks. Look lost You can expect some assistance from a friendly local.

Friendly locals can be found in almost every community across New Mexico. It's chill and full of different cultures. In addition, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people made it to the Top 20 Cities list in 2018. So there you have it

With only ten people, 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 locals is simple. In a survey conducted by Big 7 Travel, Georgia received a score of 4.5 out of 7.

As has been said many times before, our readers agree that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the country. 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.

Illinois, located in the middle of the United States, is home to incredibly warm and 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 are located in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. There's a real sense of community here, with people pitching in to help one another. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just 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 upbeat outlook on life. They welcome visitors and are happy to recommend their favorite restaurant or bar. 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. 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.

The Big Friendly isn't just a catchy moniker for Oklahoma City; Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the country. People here are very talkative and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to outsiders.

Kansas is known for its warm hospitality, so visitors from other states should be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers. The friendliness of the locals towards tourists is one of the state's most attractive features.

As a progressive state with some of the friendliest people on the planet, Colorado is 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. Friendly people are easy to find in Denver and the surrounding area.

Hoosiers are known far and wide for their generous spirit and warm welcome. 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. 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 even bother coming back to get the keys. Assuming all goes well, it should be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" This state's reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has undoubtedly earned it a spot among the top ten friendliest in the United States. Its locals will welcome you with open arms and bring a sense of small-town friendliness to its big cities.

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.

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.

And the winner is among America's friendliest states The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the nation, making the state a clear winner. The Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have an unrivaled "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals.