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 Missouri than the US
Missouri is one of the most average states. However, it is more religious and politically conservative than many other states in the Midwest. It has a mix of lush forests and farmlands. Although it is landlocked, it has a lot of shipping infrastructure as well.
- Central African Republic is a landlocked country in the middle of Africa. Both were once French territory. There is no overall public ban of smoking in either Missouri or Central African Republic. In addition, their taxes are extremely low. They have a similar percentage of circumcised males as well.
- Moldova is located in Eastern Europe, but has a lot in common with Missouri. Moldova and Missouri have a lot of grassland and are landlocked. The country is relatively conservative, especially on social issues, much like Missouri. However, both have decriminalized marijuana. They also create most of their electricity from coal power.
- Bosnia & Herzegovina is another European country on this list. The rolling hills of the Ozarks especially resemble Bosnia. Both grow a lot of corn. The median age of their people and average age of marriage are similar as well. Family structures and emphasis on close-knit communities are culturally prominent in both places.
- Serbia borders Bosnia & Herzegovina. Serbia and Missouri have a similar climate in between continental and temperate. Furthermore, a high percentage of their people own guns. Both allow their citizens to have hand guns and long guns. Both regions have a strong history of manufacturing and hunting is a common recreational activity.
- Togo is located in West Africa. Traditional values are prominent in both Togo and Missouri. Both have a mix of Protestants and Catholics. They have many people living in rural areas and agriculture is an important part of their economies. However, their climates are far different so their crops are quite different.
- Burkina Faso, 7. Mali, 8. Botswana, 9. Guinea, 10. Eswatini
Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Missouri than the US
Interestingly enough, four of the five nations with significantly fewer similarities to Missouri than the United States overall are located in the Western Hemisphere. These countries have a lot of coastline and are less politically conservative than Missouri.
- Canada and Missouri are far different politically, since Canada’s laws are much less conservative. Canada has has vast coastlines on three different oceans, in contrast to landlocked Missouri. Canada’s population is also more diverse.
- Chile is a Spanish-speaking country in South America. It has a massive amount of coastline, in contrast to Missouri. In addition, Chile’s climate varies dramatically from north to south, while Missouri has a temperate climate.
- Argentina borders Chile and is quite similar. Politically and socially, Argentina leans more liberal on issues like same-sex marriage and abortion, contrasting with Missouri’s more conservative policies. It has a lower percentage of forested land than Missouri too.
- Mexico is located directly south of the United States. Mexico’s long coastlines on both oceans the contrast sharply with landlocked Missouri. Mexico has a warmer climate overall, with deserts, tropical regions, and mountain ranges.
- Australia has a much drier climate than Missouri. Politically, Australia is more liberal on environmental policies and social issues compared to Missouri. It is also less densely populated than Missouri and has a lower percentage of forested land.
- New Zealand, 7. Norway, 8. Russia, 9. China, 10. Spain
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Missouri than the US
All data accurate as of 2025.