The 50 Friendliest States 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. 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. Arkansas locals have a reputation for being friendly and welcoming, but this can leave out-of-towners feeling awkward and unwelcome.

While the state of Delaware is small enough to be traversed in under an hour and a half, this relative proximity has not necessarily translated into neighborliness. Is it that our readers' preconceived notions of Delaware as unwelcoming stem from the state's (possibly unfair) image as dull? Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

The people of Massachusetts are not necessarily rude, but their general apathy toward visitors can be wearing. Massachuetts' tendency to ignore its citizens is hardly indicative of a state that ranks highly in terms of friendliness in the United States. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

An attitude typical of Jersey residents can come across as rude. Based on the results of this poll, it appears that is the case. Those who hail from New Jersey are often stereotyped as being loud and brash. Although the (likely) unfriendly station attendant will pump your gas, at least it's convenient!

Although Washington state often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, when it comes to its residents, things are quite different. Though Seattleites don't come across as rude, they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, earning the city its nickname, "Seattle freeze." It could be the precipitation, I suppose.

New Hampshire is a stunning state full of devoted citizens who take great pride in their home. Yet, this sense of pride is often misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. The locals are unfriendly, and the area's low population density and widespread farmland make it difficult to make new friends.

Nevada, where Sin City is located, is a state of extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. Generally speaking, Nevadans are not very 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.

You'll probably be treated like an alien all your life if you weren't raised a native Rhode Islander. Readers of Big 7 Travel 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.

Readers of this publication disagree with the widespread belief that Californians are a friendly bunch. Although it's a popular tourist destination, Los Angeles isn't exactly known for its friendly locals and welcoming atmosphere. There is a more relaxed atmosphere in smaller towns.

Arizona certainly doesn't have the Southern-style openness, but the locals are generally chill. When waiting in line, it's the kind of place where total strangers will start talking to each other; however, you shouldn't count on anyone being overly cheerful. A pleasant indifference to other people's feelings.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. This is not the case. 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.

Even though Alaska is in the middle of nowhere, welcoming tourists is a major source of revenue, so locals are always happy to see visitors. Except for Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current residents 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 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. 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, despite the fact that some may view it as quite traditional and wary of strangers. C and other major cities, it's a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being open and hospitable, making it simple to strike up conversations with strangers and quickly feel at home. Because of the abundance of tourists, the locals are friendly and willing to go out of their way to assist foreigners. While it may take some time for the locals in a small Vermont town to warm up to a newcomer, 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 say "hi" to you almost anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. One of the best things about the state is the diversity of its people.

People in Utah are known for their warmth and hospitality, so you should feel right at home. 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 known for being friendly and outgoing. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

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. Since West Virginia is largely isolated from the rest of the country by its mountainous terrain, its residents 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. Everyone is friendly and helpful, whether you're at the register or talking to a roadside farmer about his or her delicious produce.

While most people in the Great Lakes State have a reputation for being warm and welcoming, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, prove to be surprisingly difficult to navigate. People here have a good sense of humor and are laid back and polite in that classic Midwestern way.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Due to its welcoming nature, it is a lively and engaging place to spend time with others. A Baltimore bar is a great place to meet potential new best friends.

Wisconsin is a shining example of the Midwest thanks to its friendly and polite citizens and their strong sense of community. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in America, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and welcoming. Have the Packers played 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. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. The community spirit in this state was highly rated by our readers.

It's common knowledge that Oregonians are exceptionally friendly to total strangers. Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, but the people there are nice, I swear. Because it ranks highest in pet-friendliness, your dog is guaranteed to be accepted here.

Mississippi is a lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. Visitors are often taken aback by the warm welcome they receive in Mississippi. Once you refrain from bragging about how much better life is "up North," the locals will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

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.

Everything and everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you are friendly. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. Just because they want to be nice, random people will do nice things for you like hold the door open or help you carry your groceries to your car.

It's easy to find a progressive, forward-thinking community full of involved and welcoming residents in South Dakota. Strangers here will talk to one another freely about anything from the weather to the latest football game, even in the biggest cities. The residents of this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

It doesn't matter who you are or what you're doing, you'll find that people in Kentucky are always friendly. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. Kentucky residents exude a special brand of friendliness that will have you packing your bags and heading south immediately.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two cities that might not immediately spring to mind when you think of "friendly cities," but that's not how they really are at all. 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 rated it very highly. Look lost Most likely, a friendly local will offer assistance.

Most residents of New Mexico's towns and cities are warm and welcoming. In a nutshell, it's chill and incredibly multi-ethnic. New Mexico is home to two cities that were named among the top 20 most LGBT-friendly retirement destinations in the country in 2018. Well, 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. Here, even in major metropolises like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Most of the Big 7 Travel readers who visited Georgia found it to be a pleasant experience.

Our readers agreed with the common belief that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country. The locals are genuinely nice, and not in a stalkerish manner. Idaho's reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors is well-deserved.

It's hard to beat the friendliness of the people in Illinois's neighboring states. Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. Also, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. The sense of community is palpable, with people of all ages and backgrounds pitching in to help one another. If you can master the "one finger" wave while driving, you will be almost as good as 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 gracious demeanor and genuine enthusiasm for life in the Midwest. A local's willingness to welcome visitors and tell them about his or her favorite restaurant or bar is a sure sign of a welcoming community. The abundance of fun things to do here with children make it a fantastic destination for families.

Because tourism is Hawaii's main industry, visitors can expect exceptional service. 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.

Oklahoma is one of the friendliest states in the United States, and its capital city, "The Big Friendly," is appropriately named. Locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They are just as welcoming to outsiders.

Visitors from other states may be taken aback by the legendary friendliness of Kansans, so strike up conversations with complete strangers at will. The warmth and friendliness of the locals towards tourists is what makes their state so special.

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 do, and will have you feeling more at home in no time. Colorado's warmth and hospitality are immediately apparent, whether you're in the city of Denver or out in the country.

Natives 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 tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. It's not unusual to have a complete stranger help you carry your groceries or free your stuck car from the snow in even the largest of cities. Don't bother getting out of the car. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The vivacious Texans and their "Howdys" are a trademark. Its welcoming culture and "everywhere you go" attitude have assured its place among the friendliest U.S. states. The locals in its big cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The warm hospitality of South Carolinians is well-known, and this is one of the many reasons the state is a great vacation destination. South Carolina exemplifies the warm hospitality and generous spirit for which the South is famous.

Tennessee is the epitome of classic Southern hospitality, and its residents are always excited to show visitors around. And 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 The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the country, making the state the winner. 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.