This Is the Most Hated State in America

Both residents and rivals agree, this is the most hated state in the U.S.

Hate is a harsh word, especially in today's divisive times. However, when it comes to regional rivalries, there tends to be no love lost. For instance, if you ask a New Yorker what they think about Boston, Massachusetts—particularly if they're a baseball fan—you'll likely be given a look of disgust. On the other hand, it can also be easy to hate on the place where you live as well. To figure out which state is the most disliked by both residents and rivals, we've done some digging and crunched the numbers–and you may be surprised by the answer.

We started off by calculating the percentage of the population that has recently moved out of each state. While locals don't give reviews of their hometowns like they would a restaurant on Yelp, they do tend to vote with their feet, so we compared the population increase or decrease in each state to the national average of 0.6 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Next, we analyzed a Gallup poll of which citizens felt the most pride in their home states—defined as the percentage of people who agreed with the statement that their state is "the best or one of the best possible states to live." The states with the least pride ranked higher in our Hatred Index. Finally, we looked at the findings of illustrator and amateur researcher Matt Shirley, who polled his 320,000 Instagram followers from across the country in 2020 to discover which state they hate the most. We then factored in the population of the states that hated on each state to measure the volume of hostility hurled in every state's direction. (Some states, Shirley found, had no states that hate them.) These results were compiled into an algorithm that produced the final score of our Hatred Index, wherein the higher the number, the more hated that state is.

In the end, the top 10 most hated states spanned every region, from the East Coast to the South. (Yes, even the Midwest isn't as nice as you thought.) But one state drew the most vitriol of them all. Read on to see if your home state is loathed or loved as we rank every state, from least hated to most hated. And for more places where locals aren't the most welcoming, This Is the Unfriendliest State in the U.S.

50
Idaho

priest lake idaho
Josh Garver / Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 3.5 percent

State pride: 54 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -304

And to find out which state could be cleaner, This Is the Dirtiest State in the U.S.

49
Utah

The sun rising above Thor's Hammer at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah.
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 3.2 percent

State pride: 70 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -290

48
Washington

Mt Shuksan in Washington state in late autumn - Picture Lake in foreground.
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 2.8 percent

State pride: 58 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -238

And for the state that'll make you snooze, This Is the Most Boring State in the U.S.

47
Nevada

las vegas strip in nevada
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 2.8 percent

State pride: 28 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -208

46
Arizona

cacti in santa cruz county, arizona
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 2.28 percent

State pride: 41 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -169

45
Colorado

A hiker above lower Blue Lake near Ouray Colorado
Cavan Images / Alamy

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 2 percent

State pride: 65 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -165

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44
Oregon

red, pink, orange, and yellow roses with a forest in the background
Nagel Photography / Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 2 percent

State pride: 61 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -161

43
South Dakota

Badlands National Park South Dakota Surreal Places in the U.S.
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1.7 percent

State pride: 57 percent

States that hate it: North Dakota

Population of states that hate it: 762,062

Hatred Index: -112

42
Montana

lake ellen wilson in montana
Shutterstock/Danita Delmont

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1.7 percent

State pride: 29 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -99

41
Wyoming

Panoramic aerial view of Jackson Hole homes and beautiful mountains on a summer morning, Wyoming.
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1.2 percent

State pride: 69 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -89

40
North Carolina

skyline of downtown charlotte north carolina
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1.5 percent

State pride: 34 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -84

39
Georgia

Atlanta Georgia at sunset
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1.4 percent

State pride: 41 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -81

38
Minnesota

Sunset over Wayzata Yacht Club on Wayzata Bay, Lake Minnetonka.
Joe Mamer Photography / Alamy

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.9 percent

State pride: 61 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -51

37
Delaware

The aerial view of the beach town, fishing port and waterfront residential homes along the canal Lewes Delaware
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1 percent

State pride: 39 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -39

36
New Hampshire

sunset over the peaks of a mountain in autumn
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.4 percent

State pride: 67 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: -7

35
Tennessee

nashville tennessee neon lights at night
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1.2 percent

State pride: 47 percent

States that hate it: Kentucky

Population of states that hate it: 4,467,673

Hatred Index: 22

34
Virginia

aerial view of smith mountain lake in virginia
Clupton / Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.6 percent

State pride: 47 percent

States that hate it: West Virginia

Population of states that hate it: 1,792,147

Hatred Index: 29

33
Alaska

Multiple brown bear at McNeil River State Game Sanctuary fishing for salmon
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.14 percent

State pride: 77 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 37

32
Arkansas

Little Rock is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas.
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.23 percent

State pride: 37 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 40

31
Hawaii

Secret beach also known as Kauapea beach is a stunning trail only accessible beach on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.
iStock/jimkruger

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.1 percent

State pride: 68 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 42

30
Nebraska

cows in pasture in thurston county, nebraska
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.6 percent

State pride: 52 percent

States that hate it: Iowa

Population of states that hate it: 3,155,070

Hatred Index: 51

29
Maine

aerial view of a coastal road
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.1 percent

State pride: 57 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 53

28
Maryland

St. Michaels, Maryland, USA
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0 percent

State pride: 29 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 71

27
Iowa

Iowa
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.1 percent

State pride: 56 percent

States that hate it: Nebraska

Population of states that hate it: 1,934,408

Hatred Index: 73

26
Vermont

church street peachem vermont
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.4 percent

State pride: 61 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 79

25
Massachusetts

Boston Massachusetts Winter Escape
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.4 percent

State pride: 46 percent

States that hate it: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont

Population of states that hate it: 3,327,912

Hatred Index: 81

24
South Carolina

Scenic View of the St. Michaels Church from Broad St. in Charleston, SC
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 1.8 percent

State pride: 39 percent

States that hate it: North Carolina

Population of states that hate it: 10,488,084

Hatred Index: 91

23
North Dakota

North Dakota
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.4 percent

State pride: 66 percent

States that hate it: South Dakota

Population of states that hate it: 884,659

Hatred Index: 92

22
Connecticut

Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.34 percent

State pride: 31 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 103

21
Louisiana

new orleans louisiana
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.3 percent

State pride: 27 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 103

20
Pennsylvania

Autumn Morning View of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge Spanning the Delaware River , New Hope, Pennsylvania
George Oze / Alamy

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.5 percent

State pride: 34 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 116

19
Mississippi

The downtown skyline of Jackson, Mississippi with the state house in the foreground
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.51 percent

State pride: 26 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 125

18
New Mexico

the native pueblo in Taos New Mexico
Gimas / Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.55 percent

State pride: 28 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 127

17
Missouri

skyline of st. louis missouri
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0 percent

State pride: 29 percent

States that hate it: Kansas

Population of states that hate it: 2,913,314

Hatred Index: 129

16
Rhode Island

providence skyline rhode island
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.5 percent

State pride: 18 percent

States that hate it: None

Population of states that hate it: N/A

Hatred Index: 132

15
West Virginia

waterfall with a bridge over it in Blackwater Falls State Park
iStock/zrfphoto

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.9 percent

State pride: 36 percent

States that hate it: Virginia

Population of states that hate it: 8,535,519

Hatred Index: 145

14
Wisconsin

Wisconsin
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0 percent

State pride: 49 percent

States that hate it: Minnesota

Population of states that hate it: 5,639,632

Hatred Index: 164

13
Ohio

cleveland ohio skyline at dusk
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.2 percent

State pride: 32 percent

States that hate it: South Carolina

Population of states that hate it: 5,148,714

Hatred Index: 191

12
Illinois

Illinois
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0 percent

State pride: 19 percent

States that hate it: Wisconsin

Population of states that hate it: 5,822,434

Hatred Index: 197

11
New York

New York City
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.1 percent

State pride: 41 percent

States that hate it: Massachusetts

Population of states that hate it: 6,892,503

Hatred Index: 207

10
Kansas

field of wheat in central Kansas is nearly ready for harvest.
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.57 percent

State pride: 34 percent

States that hate it: Missouri

Population of states that hate it: 6,137,428

Hatred Index: 246

9
Alabama

river with boats and boathouses in alabama
Jon Lovette / Alamy

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.18 percent

State pride: 39 percent

States that hate it: Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi

Population of states that hate it: 10,642,747

Hatred Index: 292

8
Indiana

Downtown Indianapolis skyline with the Depew Memorial Fountain, Obelisk, park, and the Indiana World War Memorial in the foreground.
iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.1 percent

State pride: 34 percent

States that hate it: Illinois

Population of states that hate it: 12,671,821

Hatred Index: 309

7
Kentucky

Dramatic evening light from along the lush shoreline of Cranks Creek Lake in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky
aheflin / iStock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.1 percent

State pride: 38 percent

States that hate it: Indiana, Tennessee

Population of states that hate it: 13,561,393

Hatred Index: 323

6
Michigan

Michigan
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.2 percent

State pride: 28 percent

States that hate it: Ohio

Population of states that hate it: 11,689,100

Hatred Index: 326

5
Florida

seaside miami florida
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.28 percent

State pride: 46 percent

States that hate it: Georgia, Alabama

Population of states that hate it: 15,520,608

Hatred Index: 392

4
Oklahoma

tulsa oklahoma
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.4 percent

State pride: 39 percent

States that hate it: Texas

Population of states that hate it: 28,995,881

Hatred Index: 681

3
California

los angeles california skyline
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 0.36 percent

State pride: 51 percent

States that hate it: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado

Population of states that hate it: 34,590,799

Hatred Index: 705

2
Texas

houston texas skyline
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: 2 percent

State pride: 68 percent

States that hate it: Alaska, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma

Population of states that hate it: 46,297,568

Hatred Index: 758

1
New Jersey

new jersey skyline from the hudson river
Shutterstock

Population change compared to the U.S. average: -0.3 percent

State pride: 28 percent

States that hate it: New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut

Population of states that hate it: 35,820,837

Hatred Index: 818

Can't get enough state guides? Check out This State Has the Rudest Drivers in the U.S.

Alex Daniel
A journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. Read more
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