Countries More Similar to Minnesota 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 Minnesota than the US

Four of the five countries that resemble Minnesota much more than the United States overall are border the Baltic Sea. Not only do these nations have a similar climate to Minnesota, but but they also share many social, economic, and infrastructural traits.

1. Moldova has a continental climate, similar to Minnesota. They also have a mix of temperate forests and farmlands that grow corn and wheat. Both have little military infrastructure. In addition, both are technically landlocked, but they have ports that are accessible to seagoing vessels.
2. Lithuania and Minnesota are both industrially diverse, with significant manufacturing sectors that include machinery, electronics, and food processing. Culturally, they share a strong emphasis on education and civic engagement. Both have a low rates of homicide.
3. Latvia borders Lithuania and it is similar to Minnesota as well. They share a similar climate, with four distinct seasons and significant snowfall. Furthermore, they each have a mix of Protestants and Catholics.
4. Sweden is more mountainous than Minnesota, but they both have many iron mines. In fact, a high percentage of people in Minnesota have Swedish ancestry. Another similarity is that ice hockey is an extremely popular spot in both places. They also have high rates of turnout at elections. Both allow same sex marriage as well.
5. Estonia is yet another Baltic country on this list. It has flat terrain and an abundance of freshwater lakes, like Minnesota. They also have a similar percentage of forests and farmlands. Many winter Olympians come from Estonia and Minnesota as well.
6. Luxembourg, 7. Iceland, 8. Finland, 9. Bosnia & Herzegovina, 10. Netherlands

Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Minnesota than the US

Four of the top five countries with fewer traits in common with Minnesota than the United States overall are predominately Muslim. These countries also have a hotter and drier climate than Minnesota as well.

1. Iran is a theocratic state governed by Islamic law, with few civil liberties. Its political conservatism, and restrictions on women’s rights are nearly the opposite of liberal Minnesota. Iran’s economy is largely based on oil exports, unlike Minnesota.
2. Pakistan is heavily influenced by Islamic traditions, with a much younger population than Minnesota and different cultural norms. Economically and technologically, Pakistan is less developed in comparison to Minnesota. Its climate is also significantly drier.
3. Egypt has a hot, dry climate with limited forested areas, very different from Minnesota’s more temperate and wooded landscape. Religion plays a dominant role in daily life. Its conservative values and economic struggles are unlike in Minnesota.
4. United Arab Emirates is a desert monarchy with a predominantly Muslim culture and oil-driven wealth. It is far different from Minnesota’s democratic governance, mixed economy, and temperate, Great Lakes environment.
5. Mexico’s climate is much hotter than Minnesota’s temperate and cold winters. Its culture, politics, and social structure are shaped by a mix of Indigenous and Hispanic traditions, which differs greatly from Minnesota’s European-influenced demographics.
6. Iraq, 7. China, 8. Myanmar, 9. Syria, 10. Malaysia

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

All data accurate as of 2025.