Many dream of visiting the US to explore its vibrant cities and experience its diverse culture and arts. Who wouldn’t want to see the Statue of Liberty, take a picture at the Golden Gate Bridge, or witness the awe-inspiring sight of Mount Rushmore National Memorial? No one, of course. However, as it turns out, not everyone from the cities in the US is nice.
In a new study by the language-learning platform Preply, more than a dozen new cities were surveyed as a continuation of its poll research from two years ago. From the rudest Miami to the least rude Omaha and San Diego, here are the 10 rudest cities in America.
1. Miami, Florida
Miami, known for its cultural mix, nightlife, and natural beauty, has been found to be the rudest city in the US. It scored 9.88 out of 10 for residents displaying rude behaviors, including lack of public awareness, loud phone conversations in shared spaces, and disrespect towards service staff.
Locals are also said to be unkind to strangers and often refuse to let vehicles merge in front of them while driving. The Preply study found that 90% of respondents identified downtown Miami and Brickell as the areas with the rudest people — Interestingly, 54% claimed that native Miamians are ruder than newcomers.
2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Despite being known as the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is the second-rudest city in the US. Sadly, this isn’t the first time this Pennsylvanian town has made the rudest cities list. But compared to 2022, when it ranked No. 1, its people have become slightly nicer.
Philadelphia’s rudeness score of 9.12 reflects a history of controversial incidents, some involving sports fans. While these events don’t represent all of Philadelphia or Eagles fans, they have contributed to the city’s reputation. Notable incidents include spectators throwing snowballs at a stand-in Santa during a 1968 game, 60 separate fistfights breaking out among attendees at a 1997 game, some fans cheering when Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin suffered a career-ending neck injury in 1999, and an intoxicated Eagles fan punching a police horse in 2018.
3. Tampa, Florida
Tampa boasts sunny beaches, world-class attractions, and vibrant cultures. But if there’s one thing it shouldn’t be proud of, it is that it is found as the third-rudest city in the US. It received a rude score of 8.88 despite not scoring in the top 10 of Preply’s initial 2022 study.
Although some actions are considered rude regardless of where you are, some acts can be subjective and appear rude to certain people. In a different study by Forbes Advisor, Tampa drivers were among the worst in the nation and have held a long-standing bad reputation.
4. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville’s ranking as the 4th rudest city in America, with a rudeness score of 8.72, may raise some eyebrows. While this finding might seem surprising for a city known for its Southern hospitality, it’s important to note that the study assessed the overall behavior of city residents, not just sports fans.
That said, some observers have suggested that passionate Louisville Cardinals fans may contribute to perceptions of rudeness in the city.
5. Oakland, California
Oakland is famous as the cultural center of the East Bay and is home to the renowned Art Deco Paramount Theater. It offers the best of both worlds, providing easy access to the city’s world-class museums, restaurants, and the iconic Oakland Bay Bridge.
However, with a rude score of 8.67, it ranks as the fifth-rudest city in the US. As one of the most populated cities in the East Bay region, Oakland has a diverse population with varying behaviors, so this rudeness score may not come as a surprise to many.
6. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston has significantly impacted U.S. history, thanks to its world-famous colleges and sporting legends. However, despite its importance to the country, it has one of the worst reputations for rudeness. Ranking sixth on Preply’s list, Boston has a rudeness score of 8.35.
The city is included in other lists of rude cities as well with a Boston resident and reader of a regional news website going so far as to say, “It’s in our DNA,” adding that all Northeastern cities are rude. Though some argue that their supposed rudeness is just a matter of perception, Bostonians are aware of their reputation for being less courteous.
7. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city of firsts. It’s where the first African-American congregation in the US was held, the home of the first African-American millionaire, the birthplace of rock and roll, and more. Although the South is known for its sophisticated hospitality, Memphis has been rated as one of the rudest cities in the U.S., with a rudeness score of 8.28.
However, compared to Preply’s 2022 ranking as the second-rudest city, Memphis has shown significant improvement. Nonetheless, it often gets a bad reputation for crime and appears on several “most dangerous” lists.
8. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city, with several names that allude to its fame. It has been dubbed the Sin City, City of Lights, The Gambling Capital of the World, The Entertainment Capital of the World, and The Marriage Capital of the World, among others. Known primarily for gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife, it’s easy to see why it has earned these nicknames.
However, despite being one of the world’s most visited tourist destinations, Las Vegas is ranked as the eighth-rudest city in the US, with a rudeness score of 8.21. Issues related to impolite behavior often occur on Las Vegas Boulevard, which is heavily influenced by tourism due to the high volume of visitors.
9. Long Beach, California
Originally named Wilmore City, this region in California was renamed Long Beach due to its long, wide beaches. It’s famous for its waterfront attractions, including the permanently docked RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
In addition to having one of the highest crime rates in America, Long Beach is also considered one of the rudest cities in the country, with an 8.18 rudeness score. The reasons for this vary, ranging from a lack of concern for others to not acknowledging people.
10. Charlotte, North Carolina
From a railroad junction to a cotton mill hub, Charlotte has evolved into one of America’s biggest banking centers and fastest-growing metropolitan areas. It’s also home to several notable attractions, including three major professional sports teams, museums, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, among others.
Although Charlotte takes pride in its Southern hospitality and charm, Queen City is ranked the 10th rudest city in the U.S., with a rudeness score of 8.11. This finding divides its residents; some admit it’s true, while others refute the claim.