Countries More Similar to Arizona than the US

_{Have you ever wondered which U.S. states resemble countries more closely than others? The Country – US State Comparisons are designed to quantify just that — measuring how similar each U.S. state is to different countries around the world relative to the United States. This index provides a data-driven way to make those comparisons. It equally weights five major factors: demographics, culture, politics, technology, and geography. Over 1,000 different data points are used to generate the results.}

Top 10 Countries More Similar to Arizona than the US

All five countries that resemble Arizona more than other states are Latin American nations. Over 30% of Arizona’s population is Hispanic or Latino. As a result, a higher percentage of its people are Catholic than the United States overall.

1. Mexico shares Arizona’s Spanish colonial heritage and large Hispanic population. Both have predominantly Catholic cultural traditions and significant desert regions, particularly in northern Mexico and southern Arizona. They also share a long border and strong economic and cultural ties, with substantial cross-border migration and trade.
2. Bolivia is a landlocked, sparsely populated country in South America. Arizona and parts of Bolivia share highland, arid, and semi-arid regions. Both Arizona and Bolivia have large indigenous populations as well. In addition, they were part of the Spanish colonial territory. In recent years, Bolivia and Arizona have had shifts in the ideology of their political representation.
3. Peru is another country in South America that has Spanish colonial heritage and large Hispanic and indigenous populations. Furthermore, both have a lot of people with African ancestry as well. As a result, Catholicism remains influential in both nations. Both have arid landscapes, including Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and Peru’s coastal desert, as well as mountainous regions.
4. El Salvador is in Central America. Like Arizona, a relatively large percentage of its population is in prison. Both have permissive firearm laws as well. In addition, they are known for populist political movements that are focused on security. El Salvador and Arizona are also quite urbanized as well. However, El Salvador is much more densely populated.
5. Guatemala is another place that borders Mexico. Both Guatemala and Arizona have relatively low taxes but also few rights for workers. In fact, few of their people belong to unions. Furthermore, they have higher percentages of Latino and indigenous populations than the United States overall. They also have a mix of Protestants and Catholics.
6. Chad, 7. Iran, 8. Ecuador, 9. Somalia, 10. Pakistan

Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Arizona than the US

The top 5 countries with less traits in common with Arizona than the United States overall are all located in Europe and have much cooler climates than Arizona. In addition, these countries have more liberal governments and are also quite wealthy as well.

1. Denmark is a peninsula with a relatively flat terrain and many farmlands, so its landscape is far different from Arizona’s. Arizona is much more religious, gun-friendly, and individualistic, while Denmark emphasizes equality, secularism, and collectivism. Furthermore, it has much higher taxes and more liberal laws than Arizona.
2. United Kingdom has a cooler, wetter climate than Arizona. It also has a denser population and a more extensive public transportation network. The UK also has stricter gun laws. Although both have experienced political debates over immigration and national identity, the UK generally places greater emphasis on social welfare and public services than Arizona.
3. Sweden contrasts with Arizona through its cold winters, extensive forests, and relatively high population concentration in urban areas. Sweden has higher taxes and a more comprehensive social welfare system, including universal healthcare and extensive parental leave. Swedish people also tend to be considerably less religious than people in Arizona.
4. Germany has a cooler climate, higher population density, and a more extensive railway network than Arizona. Its economy emphasizes manufacturing, vocational training, and social insurance, while Arizona has a larger role for car-oriented development and the service sector. Germany also has stricter firearm regulations.
5. Netherlands differs from Arizona through its flat terrain, temperate maritime climate, and exceptionally high population density. Dutch cities are designed around walking, cycling, and public transportation, unlike the automobile-oriented development common in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson. The Netherlands also has much more liberal laws.
6. Norway, 7. Ireland, 8. Luxembourg, 9. Austria, 10. Belgium

Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Arizona than the US

All data accurate as of 2025.