16 Most Charming States in America to Live In

Can you quantify Southern charm? The betting site Oddspedia gave it a shot in September, asking 5,000 Americans from the Southern states to rank their own state and other states on the purported characteristics of regional hospitality: friendliness, helpfulness, politeness, and Southern charm. Respondents were asked to rate each state on a score of 1 to 5 (5 being best). Here's how they ended up.

Florida was named the least charming state with an overall score of 10.0. It scored 2.7 for friendliness, 2.6 for helpfulness, 2.4 for politeness, and 2.3 for Southern charm. (Florida residents didn't rank their own state much higher, with a 12.0 score.)  

Delaware tied Florida as the least charming state, earning an overall score of 10.0. It scored 2.7 for friendliness, 2.7 for helpfulness, 2.6 for politeness, and 2.0 for Southern charm.

Maryland's overall score was 10.3. This broke down into 2.8 for friendliness, 2.7 for helpfulness, 2.6 for politeness, and 2.3 for Southern charm.

Oklahoma came in 12th place with an overall score of 11.4. It scored 3.0 for friendliness, 2.9 for helpfulness, 2.9 for politeness, and 2.5 for Southern charm.

West Virginia scored 3.0 for friendliness, 3.0 for helpfulness, 2.9 for politeness, and 2.7 for Southern charm, amounting to an overall score of 11.7. 

Arkansas also scored 11.7 overall—with 3.0 for friendliness, 3.0 for helpfulness, 3.0 for politeness, and 2.7 for Southern charm.

Mississippi came in No. 10, with a 12.3 overall score and 3.1s across the board for friendliness, helpfulness, politeness, and Southern charm. Mississippi residents had the highest self-opinion, rating their state 16.7—36% higher than survey respondents overall. 

The Lone Star State earned an overall score of 12.4, with a 3.2 for friendliness, 3.1 for helpfulness, 3.0 for politeness, and 3.1 for Southern charm.

Virginia tied with Texas with 12.4 overall, 3.2 for friendliness, 3.1 for helpfulness, 3.1 for politeness, and 3.0 for Southern charm.

Alabama came in sixth with an overall score of 12.8. It scored 3.2 for friendliness, 3.1 for helpfulness, 3.1 for politeness, and 3.3 for Southern charm.

Kentucky tied with Alabama for sixth with a total rating of 12.8—3.3 for friendliness, 3.2 for helpfulness, 3.2 for politeness, and 3.2 for Southern charm.

North Carolina entered the top five with an overall score of 13.4. It scored 3.4 for friendliness, 3.4 for helpfulness, 3.4 for politeness, and 3.3 for Southern charm. North Carolina was the only state in the survey whose residents gave their state a lower score than respondents did overall, giving their state a 12.2 total.

The Bayou State is the fourth most charming in the country, the survey found. It earned a 3.4 for friendliness, 3.3 for helpfulness, 3.3 for politeness, and 3.4 for Southern charm, for an overall score of 13.5.

The Palmetto State came in third with a total score of 13.8: 3.5 for friendliness, 3.4 for helpfulness, 3.4 for politeness, and 3.5 for Southern charm.

Georgia was the runner-up in the survey, with an overall score of 14.0. It scored 3.5 for friendliness, 3.4 for helpfulness, 3.4 for politeness, and 3.6 for Southern charm.

Tennessee was found to be the most charming state, edging past Georgia for the top spot with a score of 14.1. It rated 3.6 for friendliness, 3.5 for helpfulness, 3.5 for politeness, and 3.6 for Southern charm.