The 10 Friendliest U.S. Cities

Who doesn’t love to be greeted with a friendly smile or given helpful recommendations when visiting a new destination? To find the friendliest U.S. cities, the language-learning company Preply conducted a survey of residents in the 25 most populous U.S. cities to determine which has the nicest inhabitants. The survey revealed that friendliness is an integral part of the culture in some American cities, and with one state claiming four spots on the list, there’s a clear winner when it comes to making strangers feel right at home. These are the top 10 friendliest big cities in the United States as of 2025.

10. Los Angeles, California

Score: 6.83 (out of 10)

Los Angeles is no stranger to tourism — the home of Hollywood, beaches, and world-famous theme parks sees around 50 million tourists annually. Fortunately for these visitors, they’re often greeted by friendly locals. According to the Los Angeles Tourism Board, the country’s second-most-populous city prides itself on its hospitality, stating, “Los Angeles is a dynamic, ever-evolving destination — where diversity thrives, and everyone is welcome.” Indeed, L.A. is known for its culturally diverse neighborhoods, and one of the top friendly actions highlighted in the survey was Angelenos’ willingness to help others with language translation.

9. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Score: 6.87

Oklahoma City is known as “the Modern Frontier” for its history of cowboy culture. The city is home to more than 680,000 residents, who welcome visitors to enjoy an array of downtown entertainment, family-friendly cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures along the Oklahoma River. While the Preply survey lists this city as the ninth-friendliest in America, residents might argue it should be in first place. After all, Oklahoma City has also earned the nickname “the Big Friendly” due to the kindness of its locals — there’s even a brewery in downtown OKC that proudly bears this moniker.

8. Nashville, Tennessee

Score: 6.90

Music City is home to more than 700,000 residents, but on any given day, expect the city to be filled with thousands of tourists — around 17 million are projected to visit in 2025. Some come for the country and blues music, others for a hockey game or a hot chicken sandwich, but we’d wager a bet that all of them stay for the Southern hospitality. Among the survey responses, residents noted that Nashvillians are especially welcoming to children and pets, creating a family-friendly environment for both locals and visitors.

7. Fort Worth, Texas

Score: 7.02

In Fort Worth, “y’all means all” — at least that’s what the city’s famous mural on West 7th Street says. Situated just west of Dallas, Fort Worth has a reputation for being more easygoing than its bustling neighbor. The city’s million-plus residents (and more than 11 million annual visitors) can enjoy Texan hospitality at the rodeos of Fort Worth Stockyards or delve into the region’s history at the National Cowgirl Museum. Expect a friendly gesture when you’re out and about in town — according to the survey, residents of Fort Worth were the most likely to greet people around them in public.

6. San Diego, California

Score: 7.04

Not only is San Diego the sixth-friendliest city in the U.S., but it’s also the friendliest place on the West Coast. For proof, look no further than the city’s official tourism slogan, “Happiness is calling!” Whether you’re visiting the scenic Balboa Park or wildlife watching at La Jolla Cove, don’t be afraid to ask a local to snap your picture — according to the survey, residents of San Diego are particularly known for offering to take photos for strangers.

5. El Paso, Texas

Score: 7.10

Home to more than 680,000 residents, this border city is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, blending American Southwest influences with those of Mexico. And it’s little wonder its residents are so happy, as El Paso was named the second-best big city to live in by U.S. World News and Report in 2025. The Preply survey on America’s happiest cities also reveals that El Paso is the friendliest city in the country toward both children and strangers, making it a perfect family-friendly destination.

2. San Antonio, Texas (tie)

Score: 7.16

There’s a three-way tie for No. 2 in the ranking of friendliest U.S. cities. Kicking it off is San Antonio, best known for attractions such as the Alamo and the River Walk. San Antonio residents who were surveyed reported that their peers are notably friendly toward strangers, fostering a welcoming environment for all. With more than 1.5 million residents, San Antonio’s thriving economy and tourism sector also contribute to its high quality of life.

2. Columbus, Ohio (tie)

Score: 7.16

The friendliest city in the Midwest is Ohio’s state capital, home to more than 930,000 residents. In 2024, Columbus welcomed more than 50 million tourists, in part due to major events such as the solar eclipse and the MLS All-Star Game. But the city is also home to year-round entertainment, from fall football games at Ohio Stadium to summers in the Metro Parks and winter days spent at museums. According to the survey, Columbus is listed as one of the friendliest cities toward strangers.

2. Charlotte, North Carolina (tie)

Score: 7.16

Charlotte is also tied in second place in the ranking of America’s friendliest cities. Residents here are more likely than folks in any other city surveyed to give guidance or recommendations to tourists or new residents. That should be welcome news, considering how much there is to see and do in the Queen City, whether it’s brewery hopping downtown or heading to the outskirts of the city for an adventure at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

1. Austin, Texas

Score: 7.45

Texas’ state capital is the friendliest city in the U.S. It’s where residents are more likely to strike up a conversation with a stranger than in any other city in the country. Home to nearly 1 million residents, this outdoorsy city is known for its live music and entertainment scene.

Austin was also recently ranked as the No. 2 most dog-friendly city in the country by Sniffspot, and the city is known for its numerous dog-friendly establishments. In fact, according to the Preply survey, Austin residents are friendlier to pets than residents of any other city in the country. But don’t worry, Austin’s residents welcome plenty of human visitors, too, to the tune of 30 million annually. 

About the data: To compile this list, we consulted a 2023 report from Preply, a language-learning company, which surveyed 1,258 Americans in the 25 biggest U.S. cities about how friendly the residents of their city are. The survey included a range of friendly actions, such as how likely residents were to greet someone on the street, offer directions, hold the door open from someone, and so forth. You can read the full report here.