The 50 Friendliest States in the USA

It's possible that at first, locals (especially those in the countryside) will come off as a New York City may seem overwhelming at first, but if you give it time, you'll see that each of the five boroughs offers a diverse range of neighborhoods with a strong sense of community. Just don't linger in the street or block traffic while snapping photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on if), the locals will treat you well. Good for Arkansas locals and their friendly atmosphere, but it may make tourists feel out of place and unwelcome.

Although the entire state of Delaware can be covered in just 90 minutes of driving time, this does not necessarily make it a welcoming place to its neighbors. Is our readership's perception of Delaware's unfriendliness based on the state's (possibly unfair) stereotype as a dull place to live? Tragically, it's considered one of the least welcoming states in the USA.

Although most people in Massachusetts aren't intentionally rude, the general apathy they exhibit toward tourists can be wearing. Massachusetts is not exactly one of the friendliest states in America due to its residents' tendency to ignore them. Long stretches of time are required before you are recognized as a bona fide Bostonian rather than a temporary resident.

The Jersey way of life can come across as rude. This survey seems to confirm that to be the case. People from New Jersey tend to be very forthright. Still, at least the (possibly unfriendly) gas station worker will fill up your tank.

While Washington state consistently places high on lists of environmentally-friendly states, it has a much more mixed reputation when it comes to its residents. Seattleites aren't outright unfriendly, but they do have a "polite but unfriendly" vibe. Perhaps it's the deluge of rain we've been having

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. Yet, this sense of pride is often misinterpreted as arrogance by those from other cultures. The locals here are notoriously difficult to win over, and the area's low population and rural isolation only make things worse.

Nevada, the state where Sin City is located, is a place of striking contrasts. When compared to more welcoming destinations like Reno, Las Vegas can be a rough place to spend time. People in Nevada generally aren't very willing to go out of their way to help a complete stranger.

Considering Miami's reputation as one of the friendliest U.S. cities, Florida has its work cut out for it. Florida's reputation is slowly but surely improving thanks to cities like Orlando and their tourist-friendly initiatives, but the state as a whole still has some work to do.

Unless you've lived in Rhode Island your whole life, you probably won't be accepted as a true local. Readers of Big 7 Travel did not give Rhode Islanders high marks on the publication'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 particularly friendly. When it comes to making visitors feel at home, Los Angeles isn't exactly the City of Angels due to its overall aloof, sometimes rude, vibe. Towns and villages have a more relaxed vibe.

You won't mistake Arizonans for being as outwardly friendly as those in the South, but they tend to be chill about most things. You can expect to have small talk with strangers while waiting in line, but no big grins. Instead, it's a pleasant indifference to other people.

People from Connecticut are friendly and approachable despite their reserved demeanor and general niceness. A lot less than that Although New Englanders have a reputation for being distant, they will still open doors for you and greet you warmly. It's not the most culturally rich state, but people still manage to come 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. Outside of Alaskan Natives, the vast majority of current Alaskans can relate to the experience of being a newcomer. They may do so, or they may simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

We think you'll find Montanans to be some of the friendliest people you meet. Despite its massive size, the entire state has the feel of a single large town. People are nice, but you won't be invited to their houses 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, the area is a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being open and friendly, making it an ideal place to meet new people. 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.

People in North Carolina are known for their politeness, friendliness, and willingness to help both visitors and locals. You can hear a "hi" in the most unexpected places, such as the grocery store, the parking lot, or even while waiting at a red light. One of the best things about this 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 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. This is the first thing you'll notice when you get here.

Many visitors to the United States are pleasantly surprised to discover that West Virginians rank among the friendliest and most hospitable people they encounter. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly environment. There is a tight-knit sense of community in West Virginia because the state is largely isolated from the rest of the country by mountains.

Iowans are known for their friendliness and kindness, evidenced by the frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" in everyday interactions with strangers. There is a genuine sense of community, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling their wares on the side of the road.

Even though Michiganders like to think of themselves as a welcoming and sociable people, some cities, like Detroit and Ann Arbor, can be difficult to get to know. People in this region are known for their laid-back demeanor, good sense of humor, and Midwestern politeness.

Maryland has a high population density and is a cultural melting pot. Because of its welcoming attitude toward strangers, it has a thriving, social atmosphere. One of the best places to meet potential best friends in Baltimore is at a bar.

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. Do the Packers play a role in this at all?

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. The people of North Dakota are known for their friendliness and generosity. Based on your votes, residents of this state have a strong sense of community.

The citizens of Oregon are widely known for their friendliness toward total strangers. The Portland hipster scene may be difficult to enter, but the people there are nice, I swear. If you're bringing your dog, they'll be welcome here, too, because it's the most pet-friendly state in the country.

The state of Mississippi is absolutely lovely, full of warm hospitality and delicious Southern cuisine. The friendliness of Mississippians often comes as a pleasant surprise to visitors. The natives are extremely friendly, and they will make you feel at home as long as you refrain from bragging about how much better life is "up North."

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

Alabama is a state full of nice people, and if you treat them with kindness, they will treat you with kindness. Alabama is one of the friendliest states in the country if you follow that rule of thumb. 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 that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming residents. People will strike up conversations with complete 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. The warmth and hospitality of Kentuckians is enough to make anyone consider making the state their permanent home.

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 good reason, as the locals genuinely enjoy making new friends. When asked how helpful random people are, our readers ranked it highly. Look lost If you ask nicely, a friendly local might even offer assistance.

Friendly locals can be found in almost every community across New Mexico. It has a chill atmosphere and a wide range of cultural influences. In addition, two cities in the state of New Mexico were included in the 2018 list of the Top 20 Cities for LGBT-Friendly Retirement. So there you go.

The town has a total of 10 residents. This state in the southern United States is home to 3 million people and features a diverse collection of urban and rural communities, as well as welcoming residents. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, getting to know people is simple. According to Big 7 Travel readers, Georgia is wonderful.

People from all over the country will tell you that Idahoans are among the friendliest you'll meet, and our readers agree. The locals are genuinely warm and welcoming, and not in a creepy, prying way. As a state, Idaho truly lives up to its reputation for genuine friendliness and openness to visitors.

The people of Illinois, located smack dab in the middle of the Midwest, are among the friendliest you'll ever meet. In comparison to New York City, Chicago is widely regarded as one of the most tourist-friendly cities in the United States. 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. 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 while driving, you'll blend in like a native.

Despite the recent natural disasters, the locals here will do anything 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.

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 bar to visitors. There are many options for children and families to enjoy themselves.

Visitors to Hawaii receive exceptional service because the state places a premium on the tourist industry. It is celebrated worldwide for its "Aloha Spirit." Every person you meet in paradise will give you a friendly hello, suggesting that there is some psychological benefit to living in such a place.

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 are always up for a chat and will do anything they can to protect those within their own community. Guests are treated with the same warmth and hospitality.

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. Locals' warm welcome of visitors is one of the state's many attractive features.

Colorado has some of the friendliest people in the world and a progressive environment that makes it a great place to visit. It's great for taking the kids, has a wealth of cultural attractions, and will quickly have you feeling like a native. You can feel the warmth of this place right away, no matter if you're in Denver or the middle of nowhere.

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 demeanor and an entertaining sense of humor. Once you visit Indiana, you'll realize it's so much more than a "fly over" state.

Even though Wyoming is a relatively tranquil state, its residents make visiting here a blast. Even in large urban areas, it is not unusual for a stranger to offer to help you with something as simple as unsticking your car from the snow or carrying your groceries. Don't even bother getting the keys out of the ignition. All things considered, it's probably going to make it.

Locals in Texas are always upbeat and ready with a "Howdy" or "Howdy, neighbor!" Its reputation for welcoming visitors "everywhere you go" has helped make it one of the friendliest states in the United States. Locals in its big cities will make you feel like you've come home to their small towns.

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 has that classic Southern charm going strong, and the locals there have a buzzing mentality and a desire to show off their city to visitors. When you consider that it also has a thriving music scene, it becomes easy to see why this is one of America's most welcoming states.

The winner among the most welcoming American states is Superior customer service is what puts Minnesota on top. Because of its friendly locals and picturesque landscape, the Twin Cities and the rest of Minnesota have earned the nickname "Minnesota Nice."