The Least Friendly Cities in America, According to a New Study
Not every city is overflowing with warm smiles and helpful neighbors.
A new survey from YUZU, Match Group’s social and dating app focused on building friendships, asked residents across the U.S. to rate their hometowns on how often they engage positively with strangers, their likelihood of receiving help from someone they don’t know, and how welcoming the community feels to newcomers.
Each city received a friendliness score out of 10, blending hard numbers with the lived experiences of locals. And while some cities topped the list for their neighborly charm, these places came in on the other end of the spectrum.
Here are the least friendly U.S. cities, counting down to the lowest score.
8. Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, Washington (6.86)
The “Seattle Freeze” nickname didn’t come out of nowhere. Locals may be polite, but the study suggests genuine friendliness can be harder to come by.
7. Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, Georgia (6.84)
Atlanta’s booming growth and traffic headaches may play a role in its lower friendliness score, despite its reputation as a hub for Southern culture.
6. Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom, California (6.69)
California’s capital region didn’t inspire the warmest ratings. Respondents noted that friendliness here doesn’t always extend beyond surface-level encounters.
5. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, California (6.66)
Famous for its entertainment industry, L.A. is less celebrated for openness to strangers. Residents ranked their city as more competitive than communal.
4. Detroit, Michigan (6.59)
Detroit has deep cultural roots and resilience, but when it comes to everyday interactions, respondents said friendliness isn’t the Motor City’s strong suit.
3. Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario, California (6.36)
This Inland Empire metro struggled with scores around welcoming newcomers and offering help to strangers.
2. New Orleans, Louisiana (6.34)
Despite its festive reputation, locals rated New Orleans as less than warm in everyday encounters once the party atmosphere fades.
1. Wichita, Kansas (5.25)
Landing at the bottom, Wichita scored the lowest in the nation for friendliness. Respondents pointed to fewer positive interactions with strangers and a lower likelihood of receiving help when needed.
Friendliness can be a matter of perspective, of course—but these results highlight just how different the social vibe can feel from city to city. If you’d like to see the flip side, check out the friendliest cities in America and even the most unfriendly countries in the world for a broader look at where kindness thrives—and where it struggles.
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