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This Is the Rudest State in America

While many places in the U.S. are known for their hospitality, this one state can be really mean.

Rude young man with arms crossed
iStock

With states arguing more than ever these days, we decided it was time to challenge some of the stereotypes we've all heard about Southern hospitality, the friendliness of the Midwest, and the attitude in the Northeast. We set out to find an answer once and for all about how each states' residents stack up in terms of attitude. By crunching the numbers, we discovered which states have the nicest residents, and which are, well, just plain rude.


To figure out which state was the rudest, we looked at a few key indicators. First, we reviewed a Business Insider survey to confirm the rudest cities in the U.S. After weighing the urban areas based on how rude they were ranked, we compared their populations to the total state population to calculate the percentage of the state that’s rude. Next, we pulled data from Insurify to get the percentage of rude drivers in each state (because road rage isn’t a good look on anyone). We then factored in how unfriendly each state is based on a Big 7 Travel survey that polled 2.5 million social media followers.

Lastly, we thought about bad behavior, whether that’s through impolite words or actions. LivePerson, a company that offers live chat services, analyzed conversations with customer service agents across 500 brands to see which residents cursed the most. All of these metrics were run through our custom algorithm to determine each state's Rudeness Score.

The top 10 rudest states spanned every corner of the country, from the West Coast to the East Coast and everywhere in between. While some are probably as rude as you expected, other states' rankings will leave you shocked. Read on to find out which state took home the dubious honor of being the rudest of all and to see how your state fared in our ranking. And for more regions that don't have great reputations, check out This Is the Most Hated State in America.

Read the original article on Best Life.

50 | Minnesota

building and lakes in downtown St. Paul, MinnesotaShutterstock

Rudest cities: Minneapolis-St. Paul

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.21

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 50

Rude customer rank: 48

Rudeness Score: 0

49 | South Carolina

downtown area of Charleston, South Carolina in the afternoonShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 48

Rude customer rank: 47

Rudeness Score: 2.31

48 | Louisiana

cityscape photos of bars and restaurants on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana at twilightSean Pavone / Shutterstock

Rudest cities: New Orleans

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.21

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 39

Rude customer rank: 49

Rudeness Score: 7.02

47 | Mississippi

city skyline and Mississippi Stat Capitol Building in Jackson, MississippiShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 1.3

Unfriendly rank: 28

Rude customer rank: 47

Rudeness Score: 10.04

And for more areas that cause concern for other reasons, This Is the Deadliest State in America.

46 | Tennessee

nashville tennesseeShutterstock

Rudest cities: Nashville, Memphis

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.5

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 49

Rude customer rank: 30

Rudeness Score: 14.04

45 | Hawaii

An aerial photo of Waikiki Beach and downtown Honolulu, Hawaii with Diamond Head in the backgroundiStock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.9

Unfriendly rank: 41

Rude customer rank: 50

Rudeness Score: 17.07

44 | Colorado

city skyline of Denver, Colorado at nightShutterstock

Rudest cities: Denver

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.22

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.6

Unfriendly rank: 44

Rude customer rank: 42

Rudeness Score: 19

43 | Vermont

city skyline and buildings in Montipelier, Vermont at twilightShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 1.5

Unfriendly rank: 17

Rude customer rank: 45

Rudeness Score: 20.59

42 | Texas

city skyline of and buildings in downtown Houston, TexasShutterstock

Rudest cities: Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 1.1

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 47

Rude customer rank: 24

Rudeness Score: 21.1

41 | Kentucky

city skyline of downtown Louisville, KentuckyShutterstock

Rudest cities: Louisville

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.32

Percentage of rude drivers: 1

Unfriendly rank: 32

Rude customer rank: 25

Rudeness Score: 21.35

40 | Alabama

cityscape photo of Birmingham, Alabama at duskShutterstock

Rudest cities: Birmingham

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.4

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 30

Rude customer rank: 36

Rudeness Score: 22.96

39 | North Carolina

city skyline of Asheville, North Carolina at twilightShutterstock

Rudest cities: Charlotte, Raleigh

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.35

Percentage of rude drivers: 1.6

Unfriendly rank: 18

Rude customer rank: 40

Rudeness Score: 24.93

38 | Oklahoma

cityscape photo of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at duskShutterstock

Rudest cities: Oklahoma City

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.38

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 42

Rude customer rank: 26

Rudeness Score: 25.02

And for more on the states that aren’t the kindest, read up on The Unfriendliest State in the U.S.

37 | Missouri

kansas city missouriShutterstock

Rudest cities: St. Louis, Kansas City

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.35

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 29

Rude customer rank: 37

Rudeness Score: 26.35

36 | Maine

townhouses and building behind a lake in Portland, MaineShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 1.6

Unfriendly rank: 20

Rude customer rank: 33

Rudeness Score: 27.62

35 | Nebraska

cityscape photo of Omaha, Nebraska in the afternoonShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.6

Unfriendly rank: 38

Rude customer rank: 34

Rudeness Score: 28.33

34 | Kansas

cityscape photo of Wichita, Kansas at duskShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.6

Unfriendly rank: 43

Rude customer rank: 27

Rudeness Score: 29.73

33 | Indiana

USA War Memorials and city skyline in Indianapolis, Indiana at twilightShutterstock

Rudest cities: Indianapolis

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.41

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 45

Rude customer rank: 11

Rudeness Score: 29.99

32 | Oregon

cityscape photo of Eugene, Oregon at duskShutterstock

Rudest cities: Portland

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.41

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.6

Unfriendly rank: 27

Rude customer rank: 38

Rudeness Score: 34.22

31 | New Hampshire

New HampshireShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 7

Rude customer rank: 44

Rudeness Score: 36.06

30 | Pennsylvania

city skyline and the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at duskShutterstock

Rudest cities: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 1.31

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 33

Rude customer rank: 22

Rudeness Score: 36.36

And for more areas that are having a tough time, This Is the Most Miserable State in the U.S.

29 | Arkansas

little rock arkansasShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 2

Rude customer rank: 43

Rudeness Score: 36.77

28 | Georgia

athens georgia skylineShutterstock/Sean Pavone

Rudest cities: Atlanta

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.44

Percentage of rude drivers: 4.4

Unfriendly rank: 35

Rude customer rank: 32

Rudeness Score: 38.51

27 | Florida

aerial view of stuart, floridaNoah Densmore / Shutterstock

Rudest cities: Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.52

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 9

Rude customer rank: 39

Rudeness Score: 39.41

26 | New Mexico

buildings and an empty street in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico at nightShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 1.6

Unfriendly rank: 34

Rude customer rank: 2

Rudeness Score: 39.58

25 | Nevada

the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada in the afternoonShutterstock

Rudest cities: Las Vegas

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 1.68

Percentage of rude drivers: 1.6

Unfriendly rank: 8

Rude customer rank: 31

Rudeness Score: 41.46

24 | West Virginia

city skyline and river in downtown Charleston, West Virginia at duskShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 1.6

Unfriendly rank: 21

Rude customer rank: 12

Rudeness Score: 41.69

23 | Maryland

clouds and trees reflecting in the Prettyboy Reservoir in Baltimore County, MarylandShutterstock

Rudest cities: Baltimore

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 1.1

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 24

Rude customer rank: 16

Rudeness Score: 42.9

22 | Connecticut

aerial view of new havenJon Bilous / Shutterstock

Rudest cities: Hartford

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.11

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.1

Unfriendly rank: 13

Rude customer rank: 23

Rudeness Score: 43.35

21 | Arizona

cityscape photo of homes, buildings, and mountains in Phoenix, ArizonaShutterstock

Rudest cities: Phoenix

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.42

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 12

Rude customer rank: 29

Rudeness Score: 44.1

20 | South Dakota

rapid city south dakotaShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 31

Rude customer rank: 13

Rudeness Score: 44.5

19 | Ohio

city skyline and bridge in Columbus, OhioShutterstock

Rudest cities: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.46

Percentage of rude drivers: 4.3

Unfriendly rank: 40

Rude customer rank: 17

Rudeness Score: 44.9

18 | Illinois

the downtown area and bean in Chicago, IllinoisShutterstock

Rudest cities: Chicago

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 3.94

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 37

Rude customer rank: 18

Rudeness Score: 46.13

17 | Michigan

city skyline of buildings in downtown Detroit, Michigan at twilightShutterstock

Rudest cities: Detroit

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.78

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 23

Rude customer rank: 15

Rudeness Score: 47.05

16 | Wyoming

the reflection of glaciers and tress in a lake in Teton, WyomingShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 4.8

Unfriendly rank: 46

Rude customer rank: 10

Rudeness Score: 48.02

And for more on the places that like to party, This Is the Drunkest State in America.

15 | Montana

MontanaShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 2.6

Unfriendly rank: 15

Rude customer rank: 19

Rudeness Score: 48.02

14 | New Jersey

The skyline of Newark, New JerseyiStock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.6

Unfriendly rank: 5

Rude customer rank: 35

Rudeness Score: 50.83

13 | North Dakota

cityscape photo Fargo, North Dakota in the afternoonShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 26

Rude customer rank: 7

Rudeness Score: 52.24

12 | Delaware

cityscape photo of Wilmington, DelawareShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 4.2

Unfriendly rank: 3

Rude customer rank: 41

Rudeness Score: 52.24

11 | Wisconsin

city skyline and Lake Michigan at twilight in Milwaukee, WisconsinShutterstock

Rudest cities: Milwaukee

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.15

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.8

Unfriendly rank: 25

Rude customer rank: 9

Rudeness Score: 56.82

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10 | Idaho

cityscape photo of Boise, Idaho at sunsetShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 4.9

Unfriendly rank: 36

Rude customer rank: 8

Rudeness Score: 57.16

9 | California

pedestrians walking across the street on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, California at duskShutterstock

Rudest cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, Riverside

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 2.47

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 11

Rude customer rank: 21

Rudeness Score: 58.82

8 | Rhode Island

buildings and walking bridge by a lake in Providence, Rhode Island at nightShutterstock

Rudest cities: Providence

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.26

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 10

Rude customer rank: 14

Rudeness Score: 59.17

7 | Massachusetts

city skyline and fast moving traffic in Worcester, MassachusettsShutterstock

Rudest cities: Boston

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 1.5

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 4

Rude customer rank: 20

Rudeness Score: 62.13

6 | Utah

park city utahShutterstock

Rudest cities: Salt Lake City

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.1

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.6

Unfriendly rank: 19

Rude customer rank: 5

Rudeness Score: 62.32

5 | Alaska

An aerial view of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel from Mount Roberts.iStock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 14

Rude customer rank: 3

Rudeness Score: 63.49

4 | Iowa

cityscape photo of the downtown area of Des Moines, IowaShutterstock

Rudest cities: N/A

Percentage of the state that’s rude: N/A

Percentage of rude drivers: 4.1

Unfriendly rank: 22

Rude customer rank: 4

Rudeness Score: 64.19

3 | Washington

Pier 66 at dusk in downtown Seattle, WashingtonShutterstock

Rudest cities: Seattle

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.31

Percentage of rude drivers: 3.1

Unfriendly rank: 6

Rude customer rank: 6

Rudeness Score: 67.74

And for states that turn people away for other reasons, find out which is The Dirtiest State in the U.S.

2 | Virginia

downtown skyline and river in Richmond, Virginia at twilightShutterstock

Rudest cities: Virginia Beach, Richmond

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 0.14

Percentage of rude drivers: 5

Unfriendly rank: 16

Rude customer rank: 1

Rudeness Score: 77.19

1 | New York

Manhattan Skyline and Brooklyn Bridge in New York, New York in the afternoonShutterstock

Rudest cities: New York City, Buffalo

Percentage of the state that’s rude: 14.79

Percentage of rude drivers: 4.5

Unfriendly rank: 1

Rude customer rank: 28

Rudeness Score: 100.05

And for states that aren't just ugly on the inside, read up on The Ugliest State in the U.S.