New York has long been celebrated for its energy, diversity, and cultural vibrance. However, a new study from World Population Review has labeled the Empire State as the least friendly in America—a ranking that may surprise locals and frequent visitors. The 2024 Friendliest States list, influenced by tourist feedback and social media surveys, paints a picture of regional friendliness that some New Yorkers might find debatable.

But why did New York land in the bottom spot? Let’s dive into the study’s methodology, explore the friendliest and least friendly states, and unpack what makes New York’s ranking so controversial.

Photo: unsplash.com/@gettyimages

The Basis for the Rankings

The Friendliest States 2024 list was compiled using three main factors:

Personal Experiences: Feedback from travelers about their interactions with residents in each state.

Tipping Rates: Average gratuity percentages are often seen as indicators of customer service quality and politeness.

Social Media Polls: An Instagram survey conducted by Big 7 Travel involving 2.5 million followers who shared their perceptions of state friendliness.

The results reflect how welcoming a state feels to outsiders, especially tourists.

The 10 friendliest states in America include:

1. Minnesota
2. Tennessee
3. South Carolina
4. Texas
5. Wyoming
6. Indiana
7. Colorado
8. Kansas
9. Oklahoma
10. Hawaii

The top 10 least friendly states in America include:

1. New York
2. Arkansas
3. Deleware
4. Massachusettes
5. New Jersey
6. Washington
7. New Hampshire
8. Nevada
9. Florida
10. Rhode Island