When traveling, people expect to be welcomed by the locals, but every city does have a few rude residents that cut into travel satisfaction. Check out the 20 rudest cities in America, and hope the city you want to visit isn't on this list!
1. Providence, Rhode Island
Although Providence is well known for its reputation for being welcoming for LGBTQ people, it is regarded as the rudest city in Rhode Island. It is mainly because the residents have been found to be geeky and aloof.
2. Detroit, Michigan
Although Detroit, Michigan, is rising the ranking as a travel destination, it is often listed at the top of the list of unfriendliest U.S. cities around. It is mainly due to its gang conflicts and noisy traffic.
3. Chicago, Illinois
Big cities don't usually have a good reputation for being polite, and Chicago is no exception. Due to rampant crime and gang warfare, The Windy City was ranked 14th on Travel & Leisure magazine's list of the rudest cities of 2011.
4. Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey, has topped Condé Nast Traveler's list of the world's unfriendliest cities for years. Newark, the so-called car theft capital of the U.S., attracts tourists to stay for a while simply because it has an airport near New York City.
5. Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage has repeatedly been named the rudest city in America by Travel & Leisure magazine. However, the residents aren't rude, they just keep quiet and don't talk to people, which can sometimes be misinterpreted as meanness.
6. Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon, is known for its quirkiness and now also has a reputation for rudeness. It is ranked number 8 on Foursquare's list of rudest cities in the country. Even a news reporter once complained that the baristas and bartenders in Portland were rude.
7. Dallas, Texas
Unlike many other Southern cities that are considered seen as friendly, Dallas, Texas, was ranked 8th on the Travel + Leisure list of America's rudest cities. Dallas' rudeness is reflected in the fact that its residents often say mean things to each other’s faces.
8. Las Vegas, Nevada
In a Business Insider survey, 7.8% of respondents voted Las Vegas as the rudest city. Indeed, many tourists have complained about their discontent on a Las Vegas trip. Perhaps the locals are used to having super-rich clientele who tip well and don't care about manners.
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
Mormon Salt Lake City comes in at No. 6 on Travel & Leisure magazine's list of America's rudest cities. Salt Lake City was even singled out for rudeness by the actor Joseph Morales during his Hamilton tour in 2018.
10. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Just like Minneapolis' weather, local's attitude towards outsiders can be quite icy. In 2017, a street artist even left rude messages on the ground, accusing residents of being bored.
11. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado, came in at 9th rudest on the Travel & Leisure list for rudest cities in America. However, even if the locals ignore you, you can still have fun in the museums and natural attractions there.
12. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a city where people don't feel the warmth typical of Midwestern residents. 1.5% of Business Insider's respondents thought Milwaukee had the rudest inhabitants.
13. Baltimore, Maryland
As one of the oldest cities in the U.S., Baltimore was ranked 9th on Travel + Leisure's list of rudest cities. Its rudeness is inflected in the residents' grouchiness, and such an attitude can even make visitors feel unsafe.
14. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe not only has the impressive beauty of the southwest but also has a reputation for rudeness. Travel + Leisure put Santa Fe as No.17 on its 2010 rudest cities list.
15. Waianae, Hawaii
It may be hard to find rude residents in Waianae, Hawaii, a tourist area. However, do bear in mind that it has one of the worst crime rates in Hawaii. Robbery and theft can definitely be considered rude.
16. Wilmington, Delaware
In 2013, Wilmington, Delaware, was ranked 17th on Conde Nast Traveler's list of the world's most unfriendly cities. In 2019, its ranking rose to 13th. The good thing is that you don't really have to visit Wilmington since there is not much to see.
17. Dillon, South Carolina
South Carolina's Dillon is on the list for two reasons. First, the city is considered to have a high crime rate. Secondly, road rage often occurs due to its high commuter rate.
18. New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is home to both Yale University and rude residents. The city made the seventh spot on Condé Nast Traveler's list of the world's most unfriendly cities. CNN once reported that New Haven was a city full of rude, cranky folks.
19. Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota, known for its Mount Rushmore National Memorial, is not really a peaceful place for people to live. Many are shocked by its high crime rate, lack of educational services, and incidences of road rage.
20. Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, was named the rudest city by 9.4% of those surveyed by Business Insider. The only thing tourists don't have to worry about is locals saying mean things to you directly. They will only talk about you behind your back, so there will be no awkwardness.
