The Most Romantically Compatible States in the U.S.

Finding your forever person is no easy feat, and knowing when and where that will happen can feel like a game of chance. But what if we could take out all the guesswork and point you in the right direction?

At DatingAdvice, we embarked on a quest to uncover the secrets of romantic compatibility across the U.S.

We surveyed residents in each state, asking them to rate various traits they look for in a partner. Our goal? To determine which states have the most similar preferences when it comes to choosing a romantic partner. 

By analyzing responses, we identified each state’s closest match based on how similarly they answered each question, revealing fascinating insights into which states share the most similar tastes in romantic partners. Ready to discover your state’s perfect match? Let’s dive into the data and see where love might be waiting for you.

Best Matches by State | States With Multiple Matches | Surprisingly Compatible States

In our mission to uncover the most compatible states, we identified several perfect matches based on residents’ preferences.

Below, we highlight some of these state-state matches and explore just a couple of similarities that make them compatible.

Montana and Oregon

• 91% of residents from Montana and 89% of residents from Oregon prefer a partner who communicates their thoughts and feelings openly and immediately rather than one who carefully considers and possibly delays sharing.
• 82% Montana residents and 80% of Oregon residents say they would prefer a partner who has a non-religious approach to spirituality rather than a partner who strongly values their faith.

New Hampshire and Rhode Island

• 92% of New Hampshire residents and 91% of Rhode Island residents prefer a partner who addresses conflicts immediately, opting for direct resolution over letting them simmer.
• 69% of New Hampshire residents and 72% of Rhode Islanders prefer a partner who values saving and planning for financial security over investing in shared experiences now.

Mississippi and Missouri

• 85% of Mississippi residents and 87% of Missouri residents prefer a partner who likes spending weekends at home, indulging in personal activities rather than socializing and going out.
• 65% of Mississippi residents and 64% of Missouri residents prefer a partner who prioritizes pursuing other aspirations higher than starting a family and having children.

While many states found their perfect match, a few standout states attracted multiple matches. 

Oklahoma and Pennsylvania: A Perfect Pairing

Oklahoma and Pennsylvania found an exceptional level of alignment in their romantic preferences. Here are some of the traits they both value in a partner:

• Emotional Support: 86% of Oklahoma residents and 87% of Pennsylvania residents prefer a partner who is emotionally supportive and comforting during difficult times over one who gives them their space.
• Structured Lifestyle: 59% of Oklahoma residents and 61% of Pennsylvania residents prefer a partner who lives in a structured, routine-based environment rather than one who prefers a more flexible, spontaneous lifestyle.

Oklahoma: A Match for Many

While Pennsylvania was a perfect match for Oklahoma, Oklahoma emerged as a top match for several other states. Here are the states that matched with Oklahoma and the traits they both valued in a partner:

• New Mexico: The majority of both states’ residents prefer a partner who addresses conflicts immediately, opting for direct resolution over letting them simmer unresolved.
• Arizona: The majority of both states’ residents prefer a partner who prioritizes pursuing other aspirations over starting a family and having children.
• Iowa: The majority of both states’ residents prefer a partner who likes spending weekends at home, indulging in personal activities over socializing and going out.

South Carolina and Texas: Ideal Matches

South Carolina and Texas showed strong compatibility in their romantic preferences. Here are a couple of things they both value in a partner:

• Physical Affection: 83% of South Carolinians and 82% of Texans prefer partners who express affection through physical touch, such as hugs and kisses, rather than through verbal affirmations.
• Financial Planning: 79% of South Carolinians and 80% of Texans value a partner who prioritizes saving and planning for financial security over spending on shared experiences.

South Carolina: A Popular Choice

Despite Texas being South Carolina’s perfect match, South Carolina also emerged as a preferred partner for several other states. Here are some shared values:

• North Carolina: Residents of both states largely prefer a partner who strongly values their faith over a non-religious approach to spirituality.
• Kentucky: Residents from both states favor a partner who prioritizes financial planning and security over investing in immediate shared experiences.
• Louisiana: Residents of both states tend to prefer partners who live in a structured, routine-based environment rather than a flexible, spontaneous lifestyle.

Texas, similarly, had several states seeing it as their perfect match. Here are some of the shared preferences:

• Georgia: Residents from both states value partners who express affection through physical touch, such as hugs and kisses, over verbal affirmations.
• Arkansas: Residents of both states prefer partners who communicate their thoughts and feelings openly and immediately rather than delaying sharing. However, they differed in lifestyle preferences: 52% of Arkansas residents prefer a flexible, spontaneous lifestyle, while 59% of Texans prefer a structured, routine-based environment.
• Delaware: The majority in both states prefer partners who enjoy spending weekends at home, indulging in personal activities rather than socializing and going out.

Sometimes love blossoms in the most unexpected places. Here, we uncover some surprising state pairings that, on the surface, may not seem like obvious matches but share common values that make them compatible.

“The most fascinating aspect of this research is that states where people are politically diametrically opposed seem to be great matches!” said Dr. Wendy Walsh, psychologist and relationship expert. “Perhaps this research is a sign that our country is coming together and the values we place within our intimate relationships — communication, conflict style, or exploration of different places — are more important than our political allegiances.”

Kansas and New York

Kansas, known for its vast plains and rural lifestyle, contrasts sharply with the bustling, fast-paced life of New York City. Despite these differences, their shared values in a partner bring them closer together. Here are a few of the qualities they both look for in a partner:

• 92% of Kansas and New York residents prefer a partner who addresses conflicts immediately, opting for direct resolution over letting them simmer unresolved.
• 62% of Kansans and 61% of New Yorkers prefer a partner who enjoys frequent travel and exploring new places over one who prefers stability and staying in one location for extended periods.

Massachusetts and Washington

Though Massachusetts and Washington seem worlds apart, their mutual appreciation for physical affection and individual aspirations make them a great match. These are some of the key traits they both prioritize in a partner:

• 80% of Massachusetts residents and 82% of Washington residents prefer a partner who expresses affection through physical touch, such as hugs and kisses, over verbal affirmations.
• 63% of Massachusetts residents and 63% of Washington residents prefer a partner who prioritizes pursuing other aspirations higher than starting a family and having children.

Hawaii and Minnesota

Hawaii’s laid-back island life and tropical climate starkly contrast Minnesota’s cold winters and Midwestern sensibilities. Despite this, their shared preference for structure and a secular approach to spirituality creates a surprising bond. Here are some of the things they most closely aligned on: 

• 65% of Hawaiians and Minnesotans prefer a partner who lives in a structured, routine-based environment over one who prefers a more flexible, spontaneous lifestyle.
• 75% of Hawaiians and Minnesotans prefer a partner with a non-religious approach to spirituality rather than one who strongly values their faith.

Other Surprising One-Sided Matches

These unexpected matches demonstrate that compatibility can transcend geographical and cultural differences, proving that love truly knows no boundaries.

“The best news from this study is that it illustrates that people have far more in common than not. Humans are wired to bond. Love is good for our mental and physical health,” Dr. Wendy Walsh commented. “And ideas that people are incompatible based on stereotypes about rural versus urban, liberal versus conservative, or religious versus atheist, can easily go by the wayside when two people lock eyes and a chemical reaction called love takes over. “Love draws even the most unlikely people together.”

• Florida’s perfect match is Nebraska.
• Nebraska’s perfect match is Colorado.
• Michigan’s perfect match is Florida.
• Wisconsin’s perfect match is Arizona.

Whether it’s the Midwest meeting the East Coast or the tropical vibes of Florida connecting with the heartland of Nebraska, these unique pairings show that sometimes, the best matches are the ones you least expect.

Our survey reveals the intriguing similarities and unexpected alignments between states when it comes to romantic preferences. From the heartland to the coasts, it’s clear that the qualities people seek in a partner can bridge geographical and cultural divides, leading to some surprising perfect matches. 

The findings demonstrate that while regional differences exist, common desires and values are shared across state lines. Who knows, your perfect partner might be just a few states away!

Ready to dive deeper into the world of dating and relationships? Explore our site for more intriguing articles and in-depth research. Dive into our articles to stay informed and inspired in your journey to find the perfect match.

The goal of this analysis was to determine which U.S. states have the most similar preferences in romantic partners based on survey responses. We surveyed 2,400 Americans across 46 states* about their preferences, asking them to rate various traits from strongly disagree to strongly agree. We then calculated the average scores for each question in each state.

To compare the states, we used Euclidean distance, a method that measures the straight-line distance between two points. In this context, shorter distances indicate more similar preferences. These distances were converted into “similarity values” for each state, showing how closely each state’s preferences matched its most similar counterpart. Lower values mean higher similarity.

We identified each state’s closest pair using these similarity values, revealing which states have the most similar tastes in romantic partners.

*Due to insufficient survey responses, the following states were not included: North Dakota, Alaska, South Dakota, and Wyoming