Ranking the 50 Friendliest States in the U.S.

At first glance, locals (especially those in the upstate) could But if you can make it through the hustle and bustle, you'll find a welcoming community in any of the city's five boroughs, each of which is a veritable cultural melting pot. 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), you'll find the locals to be extremely welcoming. In spite of the state of Arkansas's reputation for neighborly friendliness, 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. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? It's one of the states with the lowest friendliness ratings in the country.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts isn't exactly one of the friendliest states in America if its residents are known for ignoring each other. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, 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 People from New Jersey have a reputation for being blunt and direct. However, at least the (possibly unfriendly) gas station worker will do the pumping for you.

Washington state may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but that doesn't mean its residents are. 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 stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. However, this sense of pride is sometimes misunderstood 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, home of Sin City, is a state of extremes. In contrast to the cutthroat atmosphere of Las Vegas, more relaxed destinations like Reno offer a more pleasant vacation experience. Residents of the Silver State typically aren't willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

When you consider that Miami is consistently ranked as one of the least welcoming cities in the United States, you can see that Florida has its work cut out for it. 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.

Your status as an outsider is likely to persist regardless of how long you've lived in Rhode Island if you weren't born and raised there. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendly scale." A local cashier might be friendlier in a smaller town, but in general, don't expect a warm welcome.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. Locals in smaller towns tend to take life a little easier.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but its locals are chill enough to overlook this. In the waiting area, you might strike up a conversation with a total stranger, but don't hold your breath for a sea of beaming faces. To be more precise, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

The people of Connecticut are friendly, if a bit reserved. I wouldn't say that at all While residents of New England may have a reputation for being cold, they will still open doors and greet you warmly when you visit. Even though it's not the most culturally active state, its residents still manage to have fun at open mike nights and other gatherings.

Despite the state of Alaska's infrastructure, the tourism industry is thriving, and locals are eager to meet 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.

Montanans are among the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a large town. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still pleasant. The townspeople joke around and treat visitors with friendliness.

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 make it a great place to live

The people of Vermont are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to meet new friends. People here go out of their way to assist tourists because the industry is so important to the local economy. Vermonters in smaller communities can 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 reception of guests. It's not uncommon for strangers to greet one another in public places like Walmart, parking lots, and even while waiting for a red light to turn green. One of the state's best features is the eclectic mix of people who call it home.

Since Utahns are known for their warm hospitality, you will quickly feel 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 readers seem to agree that Maine is an attractive state to relocate to because of its low crime rate and generally welcoming locals. The people of New England are known for their reserved nature, but Mainers are known for their openness and friendliness. When you first step foot here, you'll notice this.

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. Because of the mountains' role as a buffer zone between the state of West Virginia and the rest of the country, the people who live there tend to stick together.

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 there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

Most people in Michigan would like to believe that they are a welcoming and sociable bunch, but some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. It's a lively and social place to spend some time because it welcomes visitors from all over the world. 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. Because Green Bay is one of the happiest cities in America, its residents are naturally friendly. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

This may be one of the least-visited states in the United States, but that has nothing to do with the quality of its residents. North Dakotans have a reputation for being friendly and helpful without demanding anything in return. Readers were very complimentary of the state's friendly atmosphere.

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 they're nice. Your dog is also welcome here, as this state is the most pet-friendly in the country.

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.

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy account of their life experiences. There's no pretense here; people are genuinely friendly and interested in chatting with strangers.

Every person you meet in Alabama will treat you with kindness if you treat them with kindness first. If you follow that simple guideline, you'll quickly discover that Alabama is among the friendliest places in the United States. 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.

In South Dakota, you'll find a wide variety of thriving, progressive communities populated by actively involved, welcoming locals. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. 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. Everybody here is friendly, whether you were born and raised here or are just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians will make you want to pack your bags and head here right away.

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 people here are genuinely warm and helpful. We asked our readers how helpful they thought strangers were, and they gave it a high rating. Look lost You can expect some assistance from a friendly local.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. Casual and rich in cultural variety. Also, two New Mexico cities made it into the Top 20 Retirement Cities for LGBT people in 2018. So there you go.

With only ten people, This state in the southern United States has a population of over 3 million and a diverse landscape of urban and suburban areas, but its residents are known for their warmth and hospitality. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

Our readers agreed with the common 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 to visitors is well-deserved.

Illinois, located in the center of the Midwest, is home to incredibly welcoming locals. Chicago is widely regarded as one of the most tourist-friendly cities in the United States, rivaling or even surpassing New York City. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States can be found in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists.

Among the states in the United States, Nebraska is home to some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Strong community spirit permeates the air, with people of all ages and backgrounds pitching in to help one another. If you can perfect the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

Even though the area has had a rough go of it recently due to natural disasters, the locals will do anything they can to make you feel at home. 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 prime example of the Midwest ideal. Friendly locals are always happy to recommend their go-to hangout to visitors. There are many options for children, making this an ideal destination for families.

Hawaii places a premium on its tourist industry, so visitors are treated like royalty. The "Aloha Spirit" is what makes Hawaii famous. Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly hello, as if paradise itself could cure your emotional ills.

'The Big Friendly' isn't just a catchy moniker for Oklahoma City; Oklahoma is genuinely 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.

Visitors from other states may be taken aback by Kansas's well-deserved reputation for friendliness, so they should be ready to strike up conversations with complete strangers. People in this state have such a warm welcome attitude toward tourists, it makes visiting this state a dream.

Because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals, Colorado is a great vacation destination. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton of interesting things to learn about, 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 routinely go out of their way to help strangers. The locals have a positive disposition and an excellent sense of humor. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively calm state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. Don't bother getting out of the car. There's a good chance that it will arrive undamaged.

The friendly Texans and their endless "Howdys" 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.

South Carolinians are known for their warm hospitality, which is one of the reasons the state is so enjoyable to visit. South Carolina exemplifies the Southern tradition of warm hospitality and generous spirit.

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 factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

The most welcoming state in the United States is Top honors go to Minnesota, whose residents are known for being among the friendliest in the country. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the Twin Cities and surrounding areas have an inviting, friendly vibe that's hard to find elsewhere.