The 50 Friendliest States in the USA

To a visitor, locals (especially those from the countryside) may New York City may be overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll find that each borough's neighborhoods have a sense of community and that the city as a whole is a fascinating melting pot of cultures. Just don't block the sidewalk or get in the way of traffic while taking photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals 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.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in 90 minutes by car, the people living there are hardly neighborly. Is our audience's preconceived notion of Delaware's amiability due to the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a bore? Sad to say, it's one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Locals in MA aren't exactly rude, but their general indifference towards strangers can be wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Becoming a full-fledged Bostonian, as opposed to being seen as 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 (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas, though.

While Washington state often places highly on lists of environmentally-friendly states, its reputation among its residents is much more mixed. The people of Seattle aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe that has earned it the nickname "the Seattle freeze." Perhaps it's all the wet weather

Stunning scenery and a fiercely patriotic populace characterize the Granite State. It's easy for others to misinterpret such pride as arrogance. 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, where Sin City is located, is a state of extremes. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a rough place to spend time. When it comes to helping strangers, Nevadans generally won't go out of their way.

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. Orlando's tourist-friendly initiatives are greatly benefiting the state, but Florida as a whole still has a ways to go before its reputation catches up to its present standards.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. According to Big 7 Travel readers, Rhode Islanders aren't particularly hospitable. Even though local cashiers are more likely to smile in smaller communities, you shouldn't expect a warm welcome anywhere.

We Californians like to think of ourselves as friendly, but our readers beg to differ. The people of Los Angeles aren't exactly the friendliest, and the city has a reputation for being unwelcoming to visitors. Less hectic lifestyles can be found 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. 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. As a whole, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. Unfortunately, that's not the case. New Englanders have a reputation for being cold and unfriendly, but they will always hold the door for you and smile at you if you visit. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage to come together at open mike nights and other community events.

Alaskans are happy to see visitors because the state relies so heavily on tourism, despite the state's remote location. The vast majority of Alaskans, with the exception of Native Alaskans, are immigrants who arrived in the state at some point in their lives. The alternative is that they will simply ignore you; however, they are not rude in any way.

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. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. The townspeople joke around and treat visitors with friendliness.

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 the surrounding metropolitan areas make it a great place to live.

Making new friends in Vermont is simple because its residents are warm and welcoming. Since tourism is so important, residents will generally go out of their way to assist guests. It may take some time for the locals in a small Vermont town to warm up to a newcomer, but once they do, you'll have friends for life.

To a person, North Carolinians are pleasant, helpful, and welcoming. The supermarket, the parking lot, and even the intersection at a red light are just some of the places where you might hear someone say "hi." One of the best features of the state is the diversity of its inhabitants.

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 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 friendly and outgoing. The moment you set foot in this location, you'll notice this.

West Virginians are among the friendliest and most helpful people you'll encounter in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly environment. West Virginia is a tight-knit community due in large part to the state's natural isolation from the rest of the country.

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 fresh produce from the side of the road who are happy to talk about their wares.

Although Michiganders like to think of themselves as a warm and welcoming people, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. People here have a great sense of humor and are laid back and polite in that classic Midwestern way.

Because of its high population density, Maryland features a wide range of ethnic and cultural groups. Because it welcomes visitors from all over the world, it is a lively and friendly place to spend some time. 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, with friendly, polite citizens who value their communities and enjoy life. Green Bay is consistently ranked as one of the happiest cities in the country, so its residents' easygoing demeanor is hardly surprising. Maybe it has something to do with the Packers

It's not because of the quality of the locals that this is one of the least populated and least visited states in the United States. People from North Dakota are known for their friendliness and willingness to lend a hand without seeking anything in return. On a scale from 0 to 10, how well do you think this state fosters a sense of community?

The citizens 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). Also, your dog is guaranteed to be accepted here, as this state is ranked highest in the country for pet friendliness.

Mississippi is a lovely state full of genuine Southern hospitality. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. 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.

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 interest in conversing with strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you well if you treat them well. Adhere to that rule of thumb, and you'll find that Alabama is among the friendliest states in the USA. For no other reason than to be friendly, total strangers will do 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 that are populated by engaged and welcoming residents. People will strike up conversations with complete strangers on the street, even in the biggest cities, discussing anything from the weather to the latest football game. The residents of this region 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. 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 pack their bags and head to the Bluegrass State 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 a good reason; people here are genuinely kind to one another. As far as random acts of kindness from strangers go, our readers gave it high marks. Look lost Hopefully, a friendly local will be able to assist you.

Friendly locals are a common sight in New Mexico's many small towns. Cultures from all over the world coexist peacefully here. Also, two New Mexico cities made it into the Top 20 Retirement Cities for LGBT people in 2018. So there you go.

A ten-person community 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, getting to know people is simple. The citizens of Georgia were deemed to be quite delightful by Big 7 Travel readers.

Overwhelmingly, our readers agreed with the claim that Idahoans are among the friendliest people in the United States. 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.

Located in the middle of the United States, Illinois is home to welcoming people. Chicago is widely regarded as one of the most tourist-friendly cities in the United States, rivaling or even surpassing New York City. As an added bonus, 19 of the safest cities in the United States are located in Illinois, making it an attractive tourist destination.

Some of the nicest people you'll ever meet in the United States are from Nebraska. Everywhere you look, people are pitching in to help each other, giving off an overwhelming sense of community. If you can master the "one finger" wave at the wheel, you'll blend in just like 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. People in the area are friendly and will gladly recommend their go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. A lot of the attractions are geared toward children, making it a fantastic destination for families.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. The "Aloha Spirit" is a hallmark of Hawaii. 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," has earned that moniker for good reason. The locals are always up for a chat and will do anything they can to protect those within their own community. It's not just locals who treat guests well.

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. The warmth of the locals toward tourists is one of the state's greatest attractions.

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 history, and will have you feeling like a native 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.

People in Indiana take great pride in their famous "Hoosier hospitality," in which they consistently go out of their way to help those in need. The residents of this area are friendly and humorous. Indiana is more than just a "fly over" state; after visiting, you'll always remember it as home.

It's true that Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state overall, but its residents are what really set the mood. Even in the largest of cities, it is not unusual for a complete stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as getting your car unstuck from the snow or carrying your groceries. Don't even bother coming back for your keys. Most likely, everything will be fine.

Greetings of "Howdy" and the friendly Texans Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. Its locals will welcome you with open arms and bring a sense of small-town friendliness to its big cities.

The people of South Carolina are known for their warm hospitality, 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 the most welcoming states in the United States.

And the winner is among America's friendliest states People in Minnesota are known for being some of the friendliest in the country. There's a 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.