The 50 Friendliest States in the U.S.

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. You should not linger in the street or impede traffic while taking photos for Instagram, though.

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. Do our readers view Delaware as unwelcoming because of the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts is not known as one of the friendliest states in the country due in large part to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to an outsider, can take years.

At times, the Jersey way of life can come across as rude. That appears to be the case, at least according to this survey. The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. However, at least the (possibly unfriendly) gas station worker will do the pumping for you.

Though Washington state often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, when it comes to its residents, things are quite different. People in Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe that's given rise to the term "Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's the constant downpours.

In addition to its natural beauty, New Hampshire is home to a population that is justifiably proud of its state. Nonetheless, it's easy for others to misinterpret such pride as arrogance. It can be difficult to make friends among the locals, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Vegas, Nevada is a state of extremes. It's true that Las Vegas can be a cutthroat environment, but neighborly cities like Reno offer a more pleasant alternative. Locals in Nevada, on the whole, are not particularly willing to go out of their way to assist a complete stranger.

Florida certainly has its work cut out for it, what with Miami consistently ranking as one of the least hospitable cities in the United States. 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.

To put it bluntly, if you weren't raised in Rhode Island, you probably always will be an outsider here. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the magazine's "friendly scale." Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

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. The pace of life tends to be slower in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough that you won't mind if you drop in. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. Rather, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. To a lesser extent 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. And if they don't, they're not exactly rude if they choose to ignore you.

It will come as a pleasant surprise to you how welcoming and friendly people in Montana are. Despite its large size, the entire state has the feel of a single large city. Even though you won't be invited over for tea, these people are still pleasant. 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 might say that it's too traditional and too wary of strangers. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Since Vermonters tend to be open and gregarious, it shouldn't be hard to meet new people and form friendships there. Because tourism is so important to the economy, residents are generally eager to accommodate guests. Newcomers to Vermont's smaller communities may have to wait a while before they're fully accepted, but once they do, they'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. A notable feature of the state is the diversity of its inhabitants.

Utahns are known for their warmth and hospitality, so you'll 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. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are known to be friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

West Virginians are among the most hospitable and warm-hearted people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. Living here is relaxed, which creates a friendly environment. West Virginians feel safe from the outside world thanks to the state's fortifying mountain range.

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.

People in Michigan like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable bunch, but some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be tough to get to know. Everyone here has a great sense of humor and is laid back and polite in that classic Midwestern way.

As one of the most populous states in the country, Maryland is also a culturally rich melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. Making lifelong friends in a Baltimore bar is a breeze.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the best of the Midwestern states, with a friendly and welcoming populace that values community and has a positive outlook on life. People in Green Bay are exceptionally pleasant to be around because it is one of the happiest cities in America. It might be related to the Packers, right?

However, the low population and low tourism numbers in this state have nothing to do with the quality of its residents. North Dakotans have a reputation for being friendly and helpful without demanding anything in return. The community spirit in the state was highly rated by our readers.

People in Oregon have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. Since it also ranks as the most pet-friendly state in the USA, Fido is more than welcome here, too.

Mississippi is a lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. Most visitors to Mississippi are pleasantly surprised by the state's warm and welcoming culture. 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. They're genuine in their friendliness, and they seem to enjoy hearing from total strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you treat them well. As long as you remember that simple rule, you'll find that Alabama is among the friendliest states 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.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota populated by enthusiastic, helpful residents. Even in the largest cities, it is common practice for people to strike up conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to the latest football game. They are the epitome of the term "Midwestern nice."

No matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are friendly. People here are friendly whether you're a lifelong resident or just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians will have you packing your bags and heading south right away.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. There's a reason the slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" exists: the people here are famously warm and welcoming. As far as random acts of kindness from strangers go, our readers gave it high marks. Look lost The average friendly local will probably offer assistance.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. It is culturally diverse and has a relaxed atmosphere. In addition, two cities in New Mexico's Top 20 Retirement Cities for LGBT people in 2018 are located there. And there you have it

For a total of 10 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, it's not hard to strike up conversations with locals. Big 7 Travel readers thought Georgia was pretty peachy

You'll hear that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country, and our readers agree. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for genuine friendliness and acceptance of strangers.

Illinois, located in the center of the Midwest, 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 an attractive tourist destination.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. All around you, you'll find people pitching in to help each other out, giving off a palpable sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you'll blend in just like a native.

Natural disasters have a recent history, but the locals here still go out of their way 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.

When it comes to good manners and genuine kindness toward strangers, Ohio is a shining example of the Midwest at its finest. The locals are friendly and will gladly recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. In addition to being a fantastic destination for couples, it also caters to families with a wide variety of fun things to do.

The hospitality industry in Hawaii is highly developed due to the state's strong focus on tourism. Those who visit praise 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.

Oklahoma City doesn’t have the nickname of ‘The Big Friendly’ for no reason: this is one of the friendliest states in America Locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They treat guests with the same warmth and friendliness as locals.

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 warmth of the local people toward tourists is one of the state's greatest attractions.

In addition to having some of the friendliest people anywhere, Colorado's progressive environment makes it 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. A sense of welcome is something you'll notice right away, whether you're in Denver or the suburbs.

Hoosiers are known far and wide for their generous spirit and warm welcome. The locals have a pleasant demeanor and a good sense of humor. One trip will be all it takes to convince you that Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. 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. Most likely, everything will be fine.

Friendly Texans always have a "Howdy" ready for you. 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 like you've come home to a small town when you visit.

The people of South Carolina are very warm and friendly, which makes the state a great 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. When you factor in its vibrant music scene, it's easy to see why this is one of America's friendliest states.

Finally, the most welcoming state in the United States is People in Minnesota are known for being some of the friendliest in the country. There's a good reason why the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond go above and beyond to make visitors feel at home.