Wondering which are the politest states in the U.S.? A recent study by Preply reveals where courteous behavior truly thrives across America.
From Southern hospitality to Midwestern manners, this ranking highlights the top 18 states based on both actual polite actions and how residents perceive their own politeness.
Arkansas tops the list with nearly perfect scores, while states like Minnesota and Nebraska show strong self-perception.
Whether you’re planning a move or just curious about regional etiquette, this guide dives into the most polite places in the country, and the cultural attitudes that make them stand out.
1: Arkansas
Arkansas is distinguished as the most polite state in America, earning an impressive politeness score of 99.3 out of 100 in Preply’s comprehensive study.
A significant factor contributing to this high ranking is the strong emphasis Arkansan participants place on courteous actions.
Nearly 75% of respondents from Arkansas stated that they consider it “very important” to hold the door for other people, illustrating a prevalent polite culture.
Furthermore, Arkansas residents largely view their state as polite, achieving a perceived politeness score of 90.8, which positioned them in second place nationally for self-reported politeness, surpassed only by Minnesota.
2: Georgia
Georgia secured the second spot among the politest states, with a politeness score of 98.9. The Peach State’s high ranking was significantly influenced by its residents’ commitment to respectful communication.
Specifically, 62% of Georgians agreed that it’s “very important” to respect someone’s preferred titles or pronouns, indicating a strong awareness of inclusive language.
Despite this high objective politeness score, Georgians’ perceptions of their state’s politeness placed them lower, ranking 14th nationally.
This suggests that while polite actions are common, the state’s residents might not consistently recognize their collective courtesy to the same extent as external measurements.
3: Alabama
Alabama is recognized as the third most polite state, achieving a politeness score of 98.6 in the Preply study.
This impressive score was notably bolstered by the widespread agreement among Alabaman participants on the importance of helpful gestures.
A remarkable nine out of ten Alabaman respondents indicated that giving up their seat on public transportation to someone in need is important, highlighting a strong sense of civic duty and consideration.
When it came to how polite they perceive their own state to be, Alabama residents ranked their state in sixth place, a position it shared with Kentucky, showcasing a relatively high self-perception of politeness.
4: South Carolina
South Carolina, often associated with the concept of Southern hospitality, earned a politeness rating of 98.5, securing the fourth position.
This strong performance in the Preply study offers considerable backing to the stereotype of graciousness in the South.
What makes South Carolina particularly noteworthy is the alignment between its measured politeness and its residents’ self-perception.
Although residents did not view their state as exceptionally polite, their perceived politeness score of 88.9 also placed them in a respectable fourth place nationally, demonstrating a consistent understanding of their state’s polite demeanor.
5: Tennessee
Tennesseans landed in a respectable fifth place among the politest states in the U.S., with a solid politeness score of 98.0.
This ranking indicates that residents of the Volunteer State exhibit a high degree of polite actions according to the Preply survey criteria.
However, there’s a notable contrast between their objective politeness score and their self-perception.
Tennessee residents do not appear to view themselves or their state as prominently polite, as they ranked significantly lower in perceived politeness, securing only the ninth place nationally. This suggests a modest self-assessment despite their high measured politeness.
6: Kentucky
Kentucky demonstrates a strong commitment to politeness, ranking as the sixth most polite state in America with a politeness score of 97.6.
The Bluegrass State is not only known for breeding horses but also for fostering polite individuals. This high objective ranking is remarkably consistent with Kentuckians’ own perception of their state’s politeness.
Residents also ranked Kentucky in sixth place for perceived politeness, showcasing a rare alignment between measured politeness and self-assessment.
This indicates that the polite behavior of Kentuckians is both observed by external surveys and recognized by the residents themselves.
7: Kansas
Kansans received a politeness score of 97.6 in Preply’s study, placing them tied for sixth most polite. This high score indicates a strong presence of polite actions and attitudes among the state’s residents.
However, there is a significant discrepancy between their measured politeness and their self-perception. Kansans themselves do not perceive their state as particularly polite; they ranked considerably lower in the perceived politeness category, landing in thirteenth place nationally.
This suggests that while their actions are courteous, residents might not fully recognize or acknowledge the extent of politeness within their own state.
8: Louisiana
Louisiana is home to a notably polite group of residents, evidenced by their politeness score of 97.3, which secured them the eighth position in the Preply study.
The Pelican State’s residents demonstrate a higher degree of politeness compared to many other states.
Interestingly, Louisianans also rank higher in perceived politeness relative to other Americans’ self-assessments, placing them in sixth place nationally.
However, despite this higher relative self-perception, their overall perceived politeness score was 87.5, indicating that they don’t necessarily view themselves as “ultra-polite” in an absolute sense, even if they outrank others.
9: North Carolina
North Carolina residents contributed to a politeness score of 97.1, placing The Tar Heel State in ninth position nationally.
This indicates a strong prevalence of polite behaviors among its population. However, North Carolina exhibits a significant difference between its measured politeness and its residents’ perceived politeness.
The state ranked considerably lower in self-reported politeness, landing in 22nd place, marking the greatest discrepancy between these two metrics among the top states reviewed up to this point.
This suggests that while North Carolinians are objectively polite, they may not widely recognize this trait within their own state.
10: Michigan
Michigan successfully rounds out the top ten most polite states in the U.S., achieving a solid politeness score of 97.0.
This ranking places The Wolverine State among the most courteous regions in the nation. However, similar to several other states, there’s a notable gap between Michigan’s measured politeness and its residents’ perception of their own state’s courtesy.
Michiganians’ perceived politeness score was only 76.9, which resulted in a much lower ranking of 30th place nationally.
This indicates that while Michigan residents exhibit polite behaviors, they may not collectively view their state as particularly polite.
11: Minnesota
Minnesota is a notable example of politeness outside of the Southern U.S., joining Michigan in this distinction.
Preply awarded Minnesotans a strong politeness score of 96.8, placing them as the eleventh most polite state.
What truly sets Minnesota apart, however, is its residents’ high self-perception of politeness. Locals appear to think they are far more polite than most; Minnesota ranked as number one for perceived politeness across the nation.
This significant alignment between their actual polite conduct and their strong collective self-image underscores a deeply ingrained culture of courtesy.
12: Ohio
Ohio ranks closely behind Minnesota in terms of politeness, with a score of 96.7, differing by just 0.1 on the politeness scale.
This score positions Ohio as a state with a considerable level of polite interactions. Despite its high objective politeness, Ohioans do not appear to hold a high opinion of their state’s courtesy.
When asked to self-assess their state’s politeness, residents ranked Ohio significantly lower, in 28th place nationally.
This suggests a disconnect where polite behaviors are prevalent, but the collective recognition of this politeness is not strong among the state’s residents.
13: Mississippi
Mississippi, located in the Southern U.S., scored a robust 96.4 for politeness, placing it 13th in the Preply study. This indicates a strong presence of polite actions and attitudes within The Magnolia State.
Interestingly, there is a notable discrepancy between this objective ranking and the residents’ own perceptions.
Many Mississippi residents would likely disagree with their state’s 13th-place ranking based on their high self-assessment.
Mississippi ranked significantly higher, in fifth place, for perceived politeness when compared to how residents in other states viewed their own politeness.
14: Utah
Utah achieved a solid politeness score of 96.0, positioning The Beehive State at 14th place nationally. This score suggests a consistent level of polite behavior among its residents.
However, similar to several other states, Utahns do not perceive themselves or their state in quite as favorable a light regarding politeness.
They ranked considerably lower, in 21st place, for perceived politeness, with a score of 80.3. This indicates a noticeable gap between the measured politeness of Utah’s population and the collective self-assessment by its residents.
15: Virginia
Virginia recorded a politeness score of 95.5, suggesting that visitors can theoretically expect to encounter many polite gestures there.
However, this expectation is nuanced by the perceptions of Virginians themselves. Residents’ answers to the perceived politeness question resulted in a ranking of 26th place nationally.
This disparity implies that while courteous actions may be present, the collective recognition or consistent experience of widespread politeness among Virginians might be lower.
Therefore, a mixed politeness experience for travelers might be a more accurate expectation when visiting the state.
16: West Virginia
West Virginia shares the same politeness score as Virginia, also achieving 95.5 in the Preply study, making it the 16th politest state.
However, there is a notable difference in how West Virginians perceive their own state’s politeness compared to Virginians.
West Virginians view their state’s politeness more favorably, ranking significantly higher in perceived politeness, securing tenth place nationally.
This indicates a stronger alignment between their objective polite actions and their collective self-perception of courtesy, suggesting a more consistent and recognized culture of politeness within the state.
17: Iowa
Iowa, known as The Hawkeye State, achieved a politeness score of 95.4 in Preply’s study, placing it among the top 17 politest states.
This indicates a high prevalence of courteous behaviors among its residents. Interestingly, while Iowa’s objective politeness score is quite high, its perceived score ranking is significantly lower at 86.1.
Despite this difference, Iowa’s self-assessed politeness still positions it as the eleventh most perceived polite state in the U.S..
This suggests that while Iowans are polite, their self-perception of their politeness, though not as high as their actual score, is still relatively positive compared to other states.
18: Nebraska
Nebraska closely follows Iowa, with a politeness score of 95.3, placing it as the 18th politest state in the U.S..
This score indicates that residents of The Cornhusker State exhibit a notable level of courtesy. Despite their high objective ranking, Nebraska’s residents do not perceive themselves as quite as polite as their actions suggest, with a perceived politeness score of 89.5.
However, this self-assessment still landed them in an impressive third place nationally for perceived politeness, indicating a strong collective belief in their state’s courteous nature despite a slight gap from their measured politeness.
Alicia Richards