12 Friendliest Cities in the U.S. You’ll Always Feel Welcomed In
A strong, supportive community is special. But when it comes to friendliness, some American cities feel more neighborly than others.
Neighbor.com analyzed the 100 largest metro areas using a survey, government data sets, and consumer data to find the friendliest cities in the USA. In the survey, 1,000 Americans were asked what makes communities the most neighborly.
If you’re looking for a nice place to visit or call home, these are the U.S. cities with the most welcoming spirit.Â
What’s Next Door
Using its results, Neighbor.com ranked each city with a weighted score based on the following categories:
- Violent Crime
- Voter Turnout
- Charitable Giving
- Volunteering
- Property Crime
- Population Change
1: Madison, Wisconsin
Claiming the top spot for the most neighborly city in the US is Madison, Wisconsin. One of the best ways for Madison locals to connect with their community is to head to the farmers’ market—Madison has the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the country. On top of that, “Mad City” boasts incredible outdoor recreation and a stellar food and drink scene. Its politically active residents also care about shaping the future of their city, as 59.67% of residents participated in the last mayoral race.
2: Minneapolis, Minnesota
You’ve heard of Southern hospitality, but Minneapolis shows America what Midwest hospitality is all about. Scoring high in volunteering and charitable giving, this community loves supporting others. Plus, with its scenic blue lakes, thriving art scene, and proximity to hotspots like the Mall of America, it’s a city worth settling down in.
3: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Iconic for its gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is a popular spot to visit and an even better place to live. It has the highest volunteer rates of any other city, with 69% of its residents supporting a local organization. For three years in a row, this charming Colorado city has had one of America’s hottest real estate markets.
4: Sarasota, Florida
For the first time, the Sunshine State appeared on the list of most neighborly cities. With a warm climate and sandy beaches, Sarasota, Florida, is home to the endless summer you dream of. It has the highest population change of the top 25 cities, adding 3.4% new residents to the community between 2021 and 2022.
5: Rochester, New York
While it’s a common stereotype for New Yorkers to be a bit brash, Rochester is an exception. Landing in the top five for the most neighborly city of 2022, it scored high marks in the charitable giving and volunteering categories.
6: Provo, Utah
You can look to Utah for opportunity, community support, and high-quality neighbors, according to Neighbor.com. Many Provo residents volunteer within their community, and people are flocking there for its affordable cost of living. Some of the largest companies in the state are headquartered in Provo, and it was ranked as one of the best new places to start a business.
7: Salt Lake City, Utah
Another major city in Utah made the list: the state’s capital, Salt Lake City. Earning high remarks for its safe neighborhoods, voter turnouts, and volunteering, it was also dubbed the next Silicon Valley for attracting tech talent from all over.
8: Ogden, Utah
The third Utah city to make the list is the oldest in the state. Ogden is home to many helping hands, as 50% of its residents reported volunteering in the community. Its vibrant downtown and proximity to awe-inspiring outdoor entertainment and recreation make Ogden a desirable place to live.
9: Raleigh, North Carolina
Many people who’ve been to Raleigh know its pleasant charm and neighborly feel. With a strong economy, abundant jobs, enjoyable climate, and small-town hospitality, you’ll feel right at home in Raleigh, even if you’re a newcomer. This year, the city stood out for its influx of new residents. Plus, there are 180 miles of greenway trails to explore for every outdoorsy resident.
10: Richmond, Virginia
As the political capital of Virginia, Richmond has made its way on 2023’s most neighborly list. Since the housing market pushes people to relocate to more affordable communities, Richmond has seen more than 30,000 new faces move between 2020 and mid-2022. It also ranked among the top 10 cities for highest voter turnout.
11: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is a popular vacation destination for Americans as the longest pleasure beach in the world, and it’s also one of the most neighborly places to live. It ranked the highest for its substantial number of voter turnouts in the community. It’s also close to several family-friendly attractions, including Grommet Island Park.
12: Seattle, Washington
Arguably the most popular city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is full of residents who care about giving back to the community and helping it grow. The coffee capital of America earned high scores in charitable giving and volunteering. It’s also home to several major tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
Staying Put
Along with asking Americans which cities are the most neighborly, Neighbor.com also inquired about community habits. As far as planting roots goes, 85% of Americans said they plan to stay in their current residence for the long term. That’s good news for fellow locals, for the more time residents spend in their community, the more they’re encouraged to help it grow and prosper.
Come Together
While it may seem like community events fell by the wayside, 90% of Americans said they plan to participate in neighborhood events like block parties, local church events, youth sports, live music performances, and shopping at farmers’ markets. According to Neighbor.com, 11% of residents plan to participate in community events significantly more in the future than they did in 2023.
Picky Politics
While high voter turnout is a strong sign of a thriving and neighborly community, 40% of Americans said they’ve seen the political divide impact their neighbors in at least one way. Some of the ways include 18% of residents being annoyed by a neighbor’s political signs, 17% who’ve complained in an online forum, and 15% who’ve ended friendships over politics.
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