The 50 Friendliest States in the USA

At first glance, locals (especially those in the countryside) could New York City may be overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll see 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 people will treat you well. While this is great for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

However, despite its diminutive size and the fact that the entire state can be covered in just 90 minutes by car, Delaware is anything but neighborly. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as dull? Sadly, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

The people of Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, but their apathy toward visitors can be wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Acceptance as a bona fide 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 The people of New Jersey are notoriously outspoken. The gas station attendant may not be very friendly, but at least they'll pump your gas for you.

When it comes to environmental friendliness, Washington state may consistently rank high, but when it comes to people, it's a different story. There is a "polite but unfriendly" vibe among locals, hence the nickname "Seattle freeze," though nobody in the city would ever intentionally be rude. Possibly the constant precipitation is to blame.

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents rightfully take great pride in their home state. 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 here, and the area's sparse rural population doesn't help.

Nevada, where Sin City is located, is a state of striking contrasts. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a cutthroat place to spend some time. People in Nevada generally aren't very willing to go out of their way to help 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 boost the state's reputation, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go.

It's likely that anyone who wasn't raised in Rhode Island would always be considered a stranger there. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication's "friendly scale." The local cashier may not exactly be smiling at you, but smaller communities tend to be friendlier.

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 is slower in smaller towns.

Arizona lacks the Southern's blatant friendliness, but the locals are chill enough to make up for it. When waiting in line, it's the type of place where total strangers will start talking to each other; however, you shouldn't count on anyone being overly cheerful. In other words, it's a pleasant lack of concern for other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Not really 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 have fun and get together at open mike nights and other community events.

Despite the state's relative isolation, Alaskans 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 might not respond to you at all, which is not rude, or they might.

People in Montana will surprise you with their hospitality. Even though it's a large state, it feels more like a large town. They are pleasant enough without inviting you to their homes for tea. Communities joke and tease one another in a way that is both fun and welcoming to visitors.

Virginia's increasing diversity is making the state even more inviting and friendly. Some may view Washington, D.C. as conservative and wary of outsiders, but the city is also a cultural mecca. 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. Residents of small Vermont towns may take some time to warm up to newcomers, but once they do, they'll treat them like long-lost friends.

Locals in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help both visitors and fellow citizens. Just about anywhere, from Walmart to the parking lot to a stoplight, you'll hear someone say "hi." One of the best things about the state is how diverse its population is.

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.

Many of you have expressed an interest in relocating to Maine, likely drawn by the state's low crime rate and generally welcoming locals. Mainers, in contrast to their New England counterparts, are friendly and outgoing. This will be readily apparent to you upon your arrival.

It's likely that you'll meet some of the friendliest people in the United States in West Virginia. 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.

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 who are more than happy to chat about the delicious fruits and vegetables they have grown.

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.

Population-wise, Maryland is high up there with the rest of the states, 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. The local bar scene in Baltimore is fantastic for meeting potential best friends.

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 America, so it's no surprise that its residents are so warm and welcoming. Is there a chance it's connected to the Packers?

This may be one of the least-visited and least-populated 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 the state was highly rated by our readers.

As a state, Oregon is known for its residents' friendliness toward those they have never met before. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to break into, but the people there are nice, I swear. Your dog is welcome here, too, because it is the most pet-friendly state in the United States.

State of Mississippi has a lot of southern hospitality and appeal. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. Once you stop bragging about how great it is "up North" to the locals, they will treat you like family and treat you like one of the family.

Before you can even say "hello," a Missourian will launch into a lengthy account of their life experiences. There is no pretense here; they are genuinely kind and interested in talking to strangers.

Every person you meet in Alabama will treat you with kindness if you treat them with kindness first. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you just follow that one simple rule. 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 populated by involved, helpful locals. People here will strike up casual conversations with complete strangers about anything from the weather to a football game, even in the biggest cities. 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 always friendly. The friendly locals don't care if you were born and raised here or if you're just passing through. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

Even though Philadelphia and Pittsburgh might not be the first cities that come to mind when you think of "friendly," that is exactly what they are. The slogan "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" was written for a good reason; people here are genuinely kind to one another. In terms of assistance from total strangers, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost There is a good chance that a kind local will assist you.

When visiting New Mexico, you can count on finding welcoming locals in almost any municipality. It has a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of cultural influences. Plus, in 2018, two New Mexico cities were named among the Top 20 Retirement Cities that are LGBT-friendly. Well, there you have it.

With only ten people, This southern state has a population of over 3 million, and its residents are known for their warm hospitality. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. Peach-loving Big 7 travelers rated Georgia a 7.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. People are genuinely nice here, and not in a stalkerish manner. The state of Idaho lives up to its reputation for friendliness and openness to visitors.

State of Illinois, located smack dab in the middle of the Midwest, is known for its warm and welcoming citizens. Despite New York City's popularity among tourists, Chicago is often ranked higher. To top it all off, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it a great state for tourists to visit.

The people of Nebraska are among the friendliest you'll find anywhere in the United States. People are always pitching in to help one another, and there's a real sense of community. You can pass for a true native if you just learn the "one finger" wave to use while driving.

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 a wide variety of backgrounds, but they all contribute to the state's reputation as one of the friendliest and best places to live in the United States.

One of the best examples of good manners and genuine friendliness in the Midwest can be found in the state of Ohio. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their favorite restaurant or bar to visitors. As a bonus, there are many options for children to enjoy themselves here, making it an ideal destination for families.

With Hawaii's strong emphasis on tourism, guests are well taken care of in every aspect of their stay. The "Aloha Spirit" is a trademark of Hawaii. Everyone you meet in paradise will give you a friendly hello, as if paradise itself could heal your soul.

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

Travelers 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 locals towards tourists is a major reason why the state is so lovely.

Colorado is a great state to visit because of its progressive culture and welcoming locals. 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.

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 positive disposition and an excellent sense of humor. After just one trip, you'll realize that Indiana is so much more than a "fly over" state.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make it a lively and exciting destination. Even in major metropolitan areas, strangers will often help you out if you get stuck in the snow or need assistance carrying groceries. Don't even bother coming back for the keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

The friendly Texans and their constant "Howdys" All of the welcoming people you'll meet in every corner of the state have undoubtedly earned it a spot on the list of the friendliest states in the Union. The locals in its major cities will make you feel right at home with their warm hospitality.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, which makes the state a great vacation destination. South Carolina embodies the warm hospitality and generous spirit that have come to define the Southern states.

Tennessee is a great example of classic Southern hospitality, with friendly locals who are always excited 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, of all the welcoming American states: The people of Minnesota are the friendliest in the country. The Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have an unrivaled "Minnesota Nice" vibe thanks to the friendly, down-to-earth locals and numerous visitor-friendly attractions.