What is the kindest state in America?

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There is no single "friendliest" state, as rankings vary depending on whether they measure polite small talk, helpfulness, or overall hospitality. Recent studies highlight three top contenders, each with a different style of friendliness:

What is the 10 best states to live in?

Based on recent major livability and quality-of-life indices, the top 10 states to live in are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida, Vermont, South Dakota, Massachusetts, and Washington. These rankings are generally determined by combining metrics like economy, education, healthcare, safety, and affordability.

What is the least welcoming state?

Surveys consistently rank New York as the least friendly (and sometimes "rudest") state in America. This reputation is largely driven by tourists on platforms like Big 7 Travel, who find the fast-paced, direct, and time-strapped culture of the East Coast to be less welcoming than other regions.

Which state is the most loved?

Hawaii is widely considered the most liked state in the U.S., consistently ranking as the absolute favorite in national public opinion polls with a 68% favorability rating. It also frequently takes the top spot for overall quality of life and happiness.

What state is the most respectful?

Most Polite States in America

  • Hawaii (60% said “more polite”)
  • Vermont (51%)
  • South Dakota (51%)
  • North Dakota (49%)
  • Wyoming (49%)
  • Montana (48%)
  • Minnesota (47%)
  • Tennessee (45%)

What State Is Best For You?

24 related questions found

What state has the nicest people?

Minnesota and Montana frequently top the lists for having the friendliest people in the US. Minnesota is famous for its cultural "Minnesota Nice", while a 2026 study by SmartAsset ranks Montana as the #1 friendliest state overall.

What is the #1 state people are leaving?

California is the number one state people are leaving in terms of absolute net population loss. It routinely sees hundreds of thousands more residents move out than move in, primarily driven by high housing costs, elevated taxes, and an overall high cost of living.

What is the #1 least educated state?

West Virginia is widely ranked as the #1 least educated state in the U.S. It consistently ranks at or near the bottom in national studies, including the annual WalletHub Least Educated States Study and rankings by World Population Review.

What is the fastest declining state?

New York and California are the fastest-declining U.S. states in terms of total population, both experiencing the largest net decreases in residents since 2020 due to high costs of living and domestic outmigration.

What are the top 3 states in America?

The "top" states in America depend heavily on whether you are looking at population, economy, or overall quality-of-life rankings.

What is the most empty US state?

Depending on whether you mean "least people" or "most spread out," the emptiest state varies:

What state is 90% white?

As of 2026 data, several U.S. states have populations that are approximately 90% white or higher, with Maine, Vermont, West Virginia, and New Hampshire consistently ranking as the whitest states. Maine is often cited as the highest, with estimates reaching up to 93.9% white.

Which state is not popular in the USA?

Unpopular US states generally fall into two categories: those disliked due to high living costs and taxes (like Illinois, California, and New Jersey) and "forgotten" states that lack pop-culture notoriety or major tourist attractions (such as Missouri or Delaware).

Which state is worth moving to?

The "best" state depends on your priorities, but Texas, North Carolina, and Massachusetts consistently rank highest across diverse needs. Whether you prioritize a booming job market, no state income tax, or top-tier quality of life, these locations are top contenders.

What is the most beautiful state in the United States?

While the "most beautiful" state is subjective, travel experts and geographers consistently point to California, Hawaii, Alaska, and Utah as the top contenders. Each offers a completely different, yet breathtaking, type of landscape.

Which state has the best life?

The "best" state depends entirely on your priorities, but Massachusetts, Utah, and Idaho frequently top national livability rankings. These states are recognized for balancing strong economies and excellent healthcare with safety and education.

What state is not growing?

All but five U.S. states grew between July 2024 and July 2025. States that experienced population decline were California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont and West Virginia.

What is the #1 overpopulated state?

California is consistently ranked as the #1 most populous state in the US, with an estimated population of over 39 million residents as of 2026, comprising nearly 12% of the nation's total. It has held this top position since surpassing New York in the 1960s.

What year will white people no longer be the majority?

Projections indicate that non-Hispanic white people will no longer be the majority in the United States by 2045, when they are projected to comprise 49.7% of the total population.

Which state has the best school system?

Massachusetts consistently ranks as having the best public school system in the United States, frequently topping national metrics for math and reading scores, high school graduation rates, and safety. It is recognized for its high teacher quality, strong AP participation, and overall academic performance.

Which states have the most teacher shortages?

The states with the most severe teacher shortages, based on unfilled vacancies and high student-to-teacher ratios, are Florida, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. Other highly affected states include Alabama, Washington, and Hawaii. The most widespread shortages are consistently found in Special Education, Math, Science, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

Which states spend the least per student?

Per pupil spending was lowest in the following states: Idaho ($8,508), Arizona ($8,853), Utah ($9,278), and Oklahoma ($10,055).

What state is everyone moving to in 2026?

Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia are among the top states people are moving to. High-cost states like California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Massachusetts remain key states people are leaving.

What state is offering $10,000 to move there?

Tulsa Remote is a program designed to help remote workers interested in moving to Oklahoma. It offers $10,000 to anyone who meets the five eligibility criteria below. Once you've applied, select applicants will be interviewed by Tulsa staff in order to learn more about your background and interest in the city.

What state is losing the most population?

Population decline in the U.S. is primarily driven by domestic outmigration to the Sun Belt, a high cost of living, and shifts in international migration. The states losing the most residents—both in total numbers and percentages—include California, New York, Hawaii, and Illinois.