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 Rhode Island than the US
The countries that resemble Rhode Island more than the United States overall tend to be located in Europe. Not only does Europe have a similar climate to Rhode Island, but it also shares many social, economic, and infrastructural traits. Four of the top five are predominately Catholic.
- Belgium and Rhode Island 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. Both have set relatively high minimum wages for their workers.
- Lithuania is in Eastern Europe, but has many similarities to Rhode Island as well. Their governments have banned capital punishment but allowed abortion. Natural gas is a major source of energy in Rhode Island and Lithuania. However, one big difference is that Lithuania have a much lower population density.
- Luxembourg is landlocked, but its climates and landscapes are otherwise very similar to Rhode Island. Both have many immigrants from Portugal and France. They have about the same percentage of millionaires as well. In addition, their governments have many laws that protect the rights of their workers.
- Latvia is another Baltic country on this list. Rhode Island and Latvia have a lot of coastline. The vast majority of their land is forested by deciduous tree. They also have a similar percentage of married people. Furthermore, they have low rates of homicide and gun ownership.
- Slovenia is the only country in the top 5 that borders the Mediterranean. However, their farms both tend to grow corn. They have well-developed infrastructure and feature high standards of living. They are the birthplace of many winter Olympians as well. One big difference is that Slovenia is more mountainous.
- Netherlands, 7. Ireland, 8. Moldova, 9. Czechia, 10. France
Top 10 Countries Less Similar to Rhode Island than the US
The countries with less traits in common with Rhode Island than the United States overall are all located in Asia. They tend to be predominately Muslim nations. As a result, these countries have more conservative governments and are also quite religious as well.
- China is much more geographically diverse than Rhode Island, since it has deserts, mountains, tropics, and Arctic-like areas. Its megacities and vast manufacturing hubs contrast with Rhode Island’s small-scale infrastructure.
- Pakistan remains far less developed than Rhode Island, with lower literacy rates and weaker infrastructure. Its hot, dry climate and conservative social norms differ markedly from Rhode Island’s temperate weather and liberal politics.
- 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 Rhode Island’s liberal, rights-based framework.
- Indonesia is a predominately Muslim country in Southeast Asia. Its government 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.
- Turkey borders the Mediterranean Sea. Its climate is warmer than Rhode Island’s and it has a much wider variety of climates. In contrast to Rhode Island, gender equality, press freedom, and civil liberties have declined in recent years.
- Malaysia, 7. Yemen, 8. United Arab Emirates, 9. Saudi Arabia, 10. Iraq
Full Ranking of Countries and Territories More Similar to Rhode Island than the US
All data accurate as of 2025.