The 50 Friendliest US States

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. Simply don't linger in the street or impede traffic while snapping photos for Instagram.

If you're from Arkansas (emphasis on "if"), the people will treat you well. Although this bodes well for the state of Arkansas and its friendly locals, it may leave out-of-towners feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.

Although the state of Delaware is quite compact and can be traversed in under an hour, its size should not be mistaken for neighborliness. Is it that our readers' perception of Delaware as unwelcoming stems from the state's (possibly exaggerated) image as dull? One of the least welcoming states in the USA, unfortunately.

Massachusetts residents aren't necessarily rude, but their indifference to tourists can be off-putting. Massachusetts isn't exactly going to make the list of friendliest states in America if its residents have a tendency to ignore their fellow citizens. Acceptance as a native Bostonian, as opposed to a tourist, can take years.

Some people may interpret the Jersey way of life as rudeness. And based on the results of this poll, it appears to be the case. Individuals from the Garden State have a reputation for being bold and forthright. The (likely) unfriendly gas station worker will pump your gas for you, though.

The Evergreen State may be near the top of lists of environmentally-friendly states, but its human residents are a different story. Locals aren't rude, but they do give off a "polite but unfriendly" vibe, leading some to dub the city "Seattle Freeze." Could be the constant downpours.

New Hampshire is a stunning state, and its residents are justifiably proud of their heritage. However, this sense of pride can easily be misinterpreted by strangers as a haughty attitude. Due to its small rural population and obstinate locals, this place can be difficult to make friends in.

Nevada, home of Sin City, is a state of extremes. A more welcoming and less cutthroat alternative to Las Vegas is Reno. Generally speaking, Nevadans are not very willing to go out of their way to assist 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. Although Orlando and its tourist-friendly initiatives are doing a lot to boost the state's reputation, Florida as a whole still has a ways to go.

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." It's true that people in smaller communities are warmer to strangers, but don't expect a friendly face at the register anywhere.

Our readers do not share the common belief that Californians are as sociable as they like to think they are. In terms of friendliness toward visitors, Los Angeles is no City of Angels. In fact, the city has an air of indifference that occasionally crosses into rudeness. The pace of life tends to be 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 kind of place where total strangers will start talking to each other; however, you shouldn't count on anyone being overly cheerful. One might even call it a pleasant indifference to other people.

Residents of Connecticut are courteous, reticent, and pleasant overall, but warm and welcoming to visitors. No, not really 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. Even though it's not the most culturally active state, residents still manage to have fun at open mike nights and other community gatherings.

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. Most people in this area, with the exception of Alaska Natives, are immigrants who arrived here at some point. They may do this or simply ignore you; either way, they are not rude.

Montanans will surprise you with their hospitality. Despite its vastness, the whole state feels more like a large village. No one will invite you over for tea, but they're still a nice person. All the towns have a good sense of humor and welcome visitors with open arms.

As the state's population becomes more ethnically and racially diverse, it becomes even more welcoming and friendly. Washington, D.C. is a cultural mecca, but some might say that its residents are too traditional and too wary of strangers. C and the other major cities make it a great place to live.

Vermonters are known for being warm and welcoming, making it an ideal place to make new friends. The locals here are very friendly and helpful because of the abundance of tourists. Even though 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 greet you with a "hi" practically anywhere: the grocery store, the parking lot, the stoplight. A distinctive feature of the state is the large number of people who hail from different parts of the country.

Utahns are known for their warm 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 agree that Maine is a desirable place to settle because of its low crime rate and welcoming population. Mainers, in contrast to their New England contemporaries, are known for being friendly and outgoing. As soon as you step foot in this location, you'll notice this.

West Virginians are among the friendliest and most hospitable people you'll meet anywhere in the United States. The relaxed tempo of life here creates a friendly ambiance. Strong communities can be found in West Virginia due to the state's relative isolation due to its proximity to the Appalachian Mountains.

Iowans have a reputation for friendliness and generosity, as evidenced by their frequent use of "howdy" and "how are you" greetings in public. There is a genuine sense of community there, with friendly cashiers and farmers selling fresh produce from the side of the road.

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 great sense of humor and are laid back and polite in that classic Midwestern way.

Maryland has a high population density and is a culturally rich and diverse state. It welcomes strangers, making it a lively and social place to spend time. There are plenty of bars in Baltimore where you can meet some of your new 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 the country. Might the Packers be involved in this somehow?

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. People from North Dakota are known for being friendly and helpful, even if they don't get 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. Even though Portland's hipster scene may be difficult to break into, the people there are nice (I swear). Your dog is also welcome here, as this state is the most pet-friendly in the country.

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 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 an epic monologue about their life experiences. Because there is no pretense here, they are genuine in their friendliness and genuine interest in the perspectives of total strangers.

Everyone you meet in Alabama will treat you with nothing but kindness if you maintain a positive disposition. If you follow that simple rule, you'll quickly discover that Alabama is among the friendliest places in the United States. People you don't know will go out of their way to help you, such as holding the door open or carrying your groceries to your car.

There are many progressive, forward-thinking communities in South Dakota that are home to enthusiastic and welcoming residents. Unlike in other countries, even in the largest cities here, people are not shy about striking up conversations with total strangers about anything from the weather to the latest game. People in this region are the very embodiment of the term "Midwestern Nice."

Anyone visiting Kentucky will quickly learn that Kentuckians are genuinely good people. It doesn't matter if you're a lifelong resident or a tourist; the locals will treat you with the same warmth and friendliness. Kentucky residents exude a special brand of friendliness that will have you packing your bags and heading south immediately.

Cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which you might not immediately associate with friendliness, actually are. The phrase "You've Got a Friend in Pennsylvania" is more than just a slogan; the people who live here are truly friendly. Readers gave it high marks for the amount of assistance they received from total strangers. Look lost Possibilities are high that a friendly local will offer assistance.

The people of New Mexico are among the friendliest you'll meet anywhere. It's chill and full of different cultures. Furthermore, two cities in New Mexico's top retirement destination for LGBT people So there you go.

A town of only 10 people. With a population of over 3 million people, this state in the southern United States is home to a fascinating blend of rural and urban communities. Even in larger cities like Atlanta, it's not difficult to make friends. Readers of Big 7 Travel thought Georgia was great.

You'll hear that Idahoans are among the friendliest in the country, and our readers agree. The locals are genuinely warm and welcoming, and not in a stalkerish way. True to its reputation, Idaho welcomes visitors with open arms and genuine kindness.

Illinois is a state in the center of the United States's Midwest, and its residents are some of the friendliest you'll ever Chicago has surpassed New York City as one of America's top destinations for tourists. Illinois is a great tourist destination because it is home to 19 of the safest cities in the United States, as ranked by Neighborhood Scout.

You won't find a nicer group of people anywhere in the United States than those who call Nebraska home. 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.

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.

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 go-to restaurant or watering hole to visitors. There are many options for children and families to enjoy themselves.

Since tourism is Hawaii's main industry, visitors can expect exceptional service while they're here. 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. The locals here are always up for a chat and will always look out for their own. They treat guests with the same warmth as locals.

Visitors from other states may be taken aback by the famous friendliness of Kansans, so they should be prepared to strike up conversations with complete strangers. The warmth of the local people toward visitors 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 history, and history buffs will quickly feel at home there. 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 a great sense of humor. 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. Large urban areas still have a strong sense of community; it's not unusual for a stranger to help you carry groceries or free your stuck car from the snow. Don't bother getting out of the car. It's probably going to make it out unscathed.

Howdy's and other friendly Texans' demeanor. Its welcoming people "everywhere you go" have undoubtedly earned it a spot on the list of the friendliest U.S. states. Locals in its big cities will make you feel like you've come home to their small towns.

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 citizens 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.

Among the states in the United States, which one do residents rate as the friendliest? The people of Minnesota are so warm and welcoming that the state ranks first. There's a reason the state is nicknamed "Minnesota Nice"; the people of the Twin Cities and beyond have a genuine warmth and hospitality that's hard to find elsewhere.