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 Connecticut than the US
Most of the countries that resemble Connecticut are all located in Northern Europe. Not only does Northern Europe have a similar climate to Connecticut, but it also shares many social, economic, and infrastructural characteristics.
- Belgium and Connecticut are both small and densely populated. Furthermore, their climates are extremely similar. They also lean left on social issues, favoring subsidized healthcare, environmental regulation, LGBTQ+ rights, and secular governance. Belgium is one of the wealthiest nations in Europe and Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states.
- Lithuania is another predominately Catholic country in the European Union on this list. Connecticut has one of the highest percentages of Catholics in the United States. In addition, Lithuania and Connecticut have a high percentage of college graduates as well. Both places have distinctly cold winters, but also hot summers. They also love basketball.
- Slovenia is the only country in the top 5 that borders the Mediterranean. Connecticut and Slovenia are both mountainous and have a lot of forested land. In addition, their farms tend to grow corn. Both places have well-developed infrastructure and feature high standards of living. They have ski resorts and many winter Olympians as well.
- Luxembourg boasts one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world, while Connecticut has one of the highest GDPs in the United States. Although Luxembourg is landlocked, their climates and landscapes are otherwise very similar. Both of their economies are in part based on the financial and insurance sectors. They have high minimum wages too.
- Netherlands and Connecticut both highly urbanized nations that border the Atlantic Ocean. Both the Dutch and the early Puritans of Connecticut were heavily shaped by Calvinist traditions. These include an emphasis on hard work, frugality, discipline, and self-governance. They also rank highly in educational attainment as well.
- Latvia, 7. Germany, 8. Slovakia, 9. Moldova, 10. Ireland
Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Connecticut than the US
The top 5 countries with less traits in common with Connecticut than the United States overall are located tend to be predominately Muslim nations. As a result, these countries have more conservative governments and are also quite religious as well.
- Iraq has a hot desert climate, frequent political instability, and low gender equality. Its infrastructure and education system are recovering from decades of conflict. It is also deeply religious nation. These characteristics are all very different from Connecticut’s stable, secular, and progressive norms.
- Iran is a theocratic state governed by Islamic law, with few civil liberties. Its political structure, religious conservatism, and restrictions on women’s rights are nearly the opposite of Connecticut’s liberal, rights-based framework. Iran’s economy is largely based on oil exports, while the financial industry is more important to Connecticut’s economy.
- Malaysia is a predominately Muslim country in Southeast Asia. Its tropical climate also contrast sharply with Connecticut’s temperate forests. Malaysia maintains strict religious laws in some regions and has a legal system shaped by Islam. It does not allow same sex marriage or the possession of marijuana.
- Egypt is a Middle Eastern country. Its education and healthcare systems are underfunded, and its urban planning and infrastructure differ significantly from Connecticut’s suburban and commuter-oriented layout. The desert climate is another stark difference. In fact, Egypt is far less densely populated as well.
- Turkey is yet another country that borders the Mediterranean on this list. Turkey’s climate is warmer than Connecticut’s and it has a much wider variety of climates. In contrast to Connecticut, gender equality, press freedom, and civil liberties have declined in recent years.
- Yemen, 7. China, 8. United Arab Emirates, 9. Saudi Arabia, 10. Syria
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Connecticut than the US
All data accurate as of 2025.