State by State Ranking of the 50 Friendliest Places to Live in the USA

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could 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. But don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from there, and only if, Arkansas is a welcoming place to live. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Even though the state of Delaware is relatively compact and can be traversed in under an hour and a half, its size does not necessarily equate to neighborliness. Could it be that our readers' preconceived notions of Delaware's amiability stem from the state's (possibly unfair) reputation as boring? Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Residents of Massachusetts aren't necessarily rude, but their indifference toward tourists can be off-putting. Not exactly a quality that makes Massachusetts one of the friendliest states in America is its tendency to ignore its citizens. In addition, it takes a considerable amount of time to earn the respect of locals and to feel like you belong in Boston and aren't just a tourist.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case Individuals from the Garden State have a reputation for being bold and forthright. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will at least pump your gas for you.

While Washington state often places highly in lists of environmentally-friendly states, it has a much more mixed reputation when it comes to its residents. The locals aren't exactly rude, but they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, hence the name "Seattle freeze." 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 misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. People in this area tend to be unyielding, and the few residents in the surrounding countryside can make it difficult to make new friends.

Nevada, the site of the infamous Sin City, is a state of striking contrasts. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a rough place to spend time. Generally speaking, Nevadans are not 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 improve 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. Big 7 readers 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.

Though many native Golden State residents would like to believe that they have a reputation for being friendly, our readers do not share this perception. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels. The pace of life is slower in smaller towns.

There's no denying that Arizona lacks the Southern's trademark warmth and hospitality, but the locals are chill enough not to mind. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. Positive indifference to other people rather than animosity

People from Connecticut are friendly and polite if a little withdrawn. Not really The people of New England may have a reputation for being cold, but they'll still open doors for you and greet you warmly when you visit. 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. 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 large size, the entire state has the feel of a single small community. 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 promising location.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and quickly feel at home. People here go out of their way to assist tourists because the industry is so important to the local economy. Small-town Vermonters 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 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.

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 U.S. cities for the LGBTQ community.

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. Upon entering, you'll immediately notice this.

West Virginians are among the most hospitable and warm-hearted people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly environment. As the mountains create a sort of buffer zone between West Virginia and the rest of the country, the people who live there tend to stick together.

It's common for Iowans to greet strangers with a smile and a hello as they pass one another on the street, contributing to the state's reputation for friendliness. The locals are very friendly, from the cashiers to the roadside farmers who will gladly tell you all about their delicious produce.

Despite the state's reputation for friendliness, some major cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor can be extremely difficult to connect with. People here have a good sense of humor, are laid back, and are polite in that Midwestern way.

The population density in Maryland is high, and the state is also home to a wide range of cultural traditions. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social 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. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country, so it's no surprise that its residents are so friendly. Possibly the Packers are involved.

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated states in the United States, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of its residents. People from North Dakota are known for being approachable and helpful, often without any sort of payment or reward being expected in return. According to your ratings, the state has a strong sense of community.

The people of Oregon are widely known for their friendliness toward total strangers. Even though Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, the people there are nice (I swear). Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the country.

Mississippi is a lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. 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 you always belonged there.

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy account of their life experiences. Nothing fake about them; they're friendly and genuinely interested in chatting with strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you with nothing but friendliness if you maintain a positive disposition. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. People you don't know will go out of their way to help you, such as holding the door open or carrying your groceries to your car.

The towns and cities throughout South Dakota are thriving hubs of progressive thought and progressive people. People will strike up conversations with total 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. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. It's the unique warmth of Kentuckians' hospitality that will have you packing your bags for the Bluegrass State right away.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not how it is at all. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was coined for good reason; the locals really are as warm and welcoming as they sound. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost You can expect some assistance from a friendly local.

In most of New Mexico's communities, you'll find warm and welcoming locals. It has a relaxed vibe and a wide variety of ethnic and cultural influences. Also, two New Mexico cities made it into the Top 20 Retirement Cities for LGBT people in 2018. That sums it up

For a total of 10 people. The residents of this 3 million-person state in the southern United States are as warm and welcoming as the state's unique blend of rural and urban communities. Here, even in major metropolises like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

It's been said many times, but our readers overwhelmingly agreed: 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 is a state in the center of the United States's Midwest, and its residents are some of the friendliest you'll ever meet. As a top tourist destination in the United States, Chicago rivals New York City in popularity. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

Among the states in the United States, Nebraska is home to some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. Acquiring the skill of the "one finger" wave while behind the wheel will make you feel like a native in no time.

Natural disasters have a recent history, but the locals here still go out of their way to make you feel at home. Louisiana is home to people of many different cultures, but they all share the trait of making their state one of the most welcoming and enjoyable in the United States.

The good manners and genuine friendliness of Ohioans are legendary throughout the Midwest. The locals are friendly and willing to show visitors their favorite spots for eating and drinking. As a bonus, there are many options for children to enjoy themselves here, making it an ideal destination for families.

Guests of Hawaii receive exceptional care due to the state's dedication to the tourism 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 a nickname for Oklahoma City's capital city for nothing; Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the country. The locals here are always up for a chat and will do whatever they can to protect their own. 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.

It's a pleasure to visit Colorado because of its progressive environment and the fact that its residents are among the friendliest anywhere. It's great for taking the kids, has a ton of interesting history, and will soon have you feeling like a native. Feeling welcome in Colorado is an immediate experience, whether you're in the city of Denver or out in the country.

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 pleasant demeanor and a good sense of humor. After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

The people of Wyoming are what really make this state exciting, even if it is a relatively quiet place. Even in large cities, it is not unusual for a stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as getting your car unstuck from the snow or carrying your groceries. Don't bother getting out of the car. There is a good chance that it will arrive undamaged.

People in Texas are very friendly, and they often say "Howdy" to strangers. 'everywhere you go' has undoubtedly contributed to its status as one of the friendliest states in the USA. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

Residents of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which contributes to the state's reputation as a pleasant vacation destination. 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. One of the most welcoming states in America, thanks in large part to its thriving music scene.

Among the states in the United States, which one do residents rate as the friendliest? Superior customer service is what puts Minnesota on top. The Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have an unrivaled "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals.