A strong, supportive community is unique. However, when it comes to friendliness, some American cities are more welcoming than others.
Neighbor.com analysed the 100 largest metro areas using a survey, government data sets, and consumer data to determine the friendliest cities in the United States. In the survey, 1,000 Americans were asked what characteristics define the most neighbourly communities.
If you’re looking for a nice place to visit or live, here are the most welcoming cities in the United States. Can you guess which one is in Minneapolis?
What’s Next Door
Neighbor.com used its results to assign a weighted score to each city based on the following categories:
- Violent Crime
- Voter Turnout
- Charitable Giving
- Volunteering
- Property Crime
- Population Change
1: Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin takes the top spot as the most neighbourly city in the United States.
One of the best ways for Madison residents to connect with their community is to visit the farmers’ market—Madison has the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country.
Furthermore, “Mad City” has fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities as well as a stellar food and drink scene. Its politically active residents are also concerned about shaping the future of their city, as 59.67% of them voted in the last mayoral election.
2: Minneapolis, Minnesota
You’ve heard of southern hospitality, but Minneapolis exemplifies Midwest hospitality. This community values helping others, as evidenced by its high rates of volunteering and charitable giving.
Furthermore, with its picturesque blue lakes, thriving art scene, and proximity to attractions such as the Mall of America, it’s a city worth settling down in.
3: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, known for its stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, is a popular tourist destination as well as an excellent place to live.
It has the highest volunteer rate of any city, with 69% of residents contributing to a local organisation.
For three years in a row, this charming Colorado city has had one of the country’s hottest real estate markets.
4: Sarasota, Florida
For the first time, the Sunshine State made the list of most neighbourly cities. Sarasota, Florida, has a warm climate and sandy beaches, making it the ideal place for an endless summer.
It has the highest population change of the top 25 cities, with 3.4% more people joining the community between 2021 and 2022.
5: Rochester, New York
Rochester is an exception to the common stereotype of New Yorkers being brash.
It ranked in the top five for the most neighbourly city in 2022, with high marks in the charitable giving and volunteering categories.
6: Provo, Utah
According to Neighbor.com, Utah offers opportunities, community support, and quality neighbours. Many Provo residents volunteer in their community, and people are flocking there due to its low cost of living.
Some of the state’s largest companies are headquartered in Provo, which has been named one of the best new places to start a business.
7: Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah’s capital, was another major city included on the list.
It has received high praise for its safe neighbourhoods, voter turnout, and volunteering, and has been dubbed the next Silicon Valley for attracting tech talent from all over.
8: Ogden, Utah
The third Utah city on the list is the state’s oldest. Ogden is home to many helping hands, with 50% of residents volunteering in the community.
Ogden’s vibrant downtown and proximity to breathtaking outdoor entertainment and recreation make it an attractive place to live.
9: Raleigh, North Carolina
Many people who have visited Raleigh understand its pleasant charm and neighbourly atmosphere. Even if you’re a newcomer, Raleigh will make you feel right at home with its strong economy, plentiful jobs, pleasant climate, and small-town hospitality.
This year, the city stood out for its high number of new residents. In addition, every outdoor enthusiast can explore 180 miles of greenway trails.
10: Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia’s political capital, has been named one of the most neighbourly cities in 2023.
Since the housing market forces people to relocate to more affordable communities, Richmond has seen over 30,000 new faces between 2020 and mid-2022.
It also ranked among the top ten cities with the highest voter turnout.
11: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is a popular vacation destination for Americans because it has the world’s longest pleasure beach, and it is also one of the friendliest places to live. It had the highest voter turnout in the community.
It is also close to several family-friendly attractions, such as Grommet Island Park.
12: Seattle, Washington
Seattle, arguably the most popular city in the Pacific North-west, is full of residents who are committed to giving back to their community and helping it grow.
The Coffee Capital of America received high marks for charitable giving and volunteering. It is also home to several major technology companies, including Microsoft and Amazon.
