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 California than the US
The countries that resemble California the most are located in Latin America. One reason is that around 40% of California’s population is Hispanic or Latino. As a result, a higher percentage of its people are Catholic than the United States overall.
- Ecuador shares California’s mountainous Pacific coastlines and farmlands with corn, rice, and fruits. Earthquake activity is common in both places, since they are in the Ring of Fire. Both have liberal governments that allow same sex marriage and do not criminalize the possession of marijuana.
- Costa Rica is one of the most developed countries in Latin America. Its focus on sustainability mirrors California’s outdoor lifestyle and progressive politics. Both have beautiful national parks that attract tourists. Their demographics are similar since their people come from a variety of ancestries, including Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
- Venezuela, despite its instability, has a number of parallels to California. The country’s diverse population and Catholic roots are similar to California’s. While production has declined from its peak, California remains a significant oil-producing state, while Venezuela is a member of OPEC.
- Bolivia‘s mountainous landscape has a diverse mix of deserts, forests, and shrub land, similar to California. In addition, both of their governments are left-wing. Another similarity is that both rely on natural gas to generate electricity. However, Bolivia’s infrastructure is not nearly as developed as other countries on this list.
- Colombia is located between Ecuador and Venezuela, so it is not surprising it made this list. Colombia is rapidly urbanizing, with thriving metros like Bogotá and Medellín that feel more like Los Angeles than many U.S. cities. Both regions face urban sprawl, housing pressure, and transportation challenges.
- Honduras 7. Peru, 8. Nicaragua 9. Mexico, 10. El Salvador
Top 10 Countries Less Similar to California than the US
The four of the five countries with fewer traits in common with California than the United States overall are predominately muslim. These countries have much more conservative governments than California as well.
- Iraq is nearly landlocked and has a much more arid climate than California. Unlike California, its terrain is relatively flat. Furthermore, its laws are more conservative than California’s. It has more restrictions on abortion and does not allow same sex marriage.
- Turkey is another predominately Muslim country on this list. While having modern infrastructure in major cities, its overall development is less developed than in California. Turkey has more restrictions on freedom of expression than California as well.
- Egypt is another country in the Middle East on this list. Egypt has be continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, while California only became a state in the 19th century. Due to the Sahara Desert, most of its land is barren, in contrast to California’s.
- Yemen is located on the Arabian peninsula. It has a hot desert climate. Its infrastructure is recovering from decades of conflict, while California is one of the most developed states. Its people have a much lower standard of living as a result.
- Russia is vastly different from California due to its cold climate and conservative government. Due to its climate, sports like ice hockey and ice skating are more popular than in California. In addition, a much higher percentage of its people have European ancestry.
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to California than the US
All data accurate as of 2025.