From coast to coast, one accent stands out as the most trustworthy—here’s which
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Sometimes it isn’t the clothes you wear or the way you look that shapes a first impression. Often, the sound of your voice can influence how others feel about you before a real conversation even begins.
Across the US, different regional accents carry subtle reputations that spark assumptions of honesty, reliability, or the opposite.
A new study has revealed which accents Americans find the most trustworthy, and the results are more surprising than you might expect.
The analysis was conducted by BetUS Casino and ranked 14 American regional accents based on search interest, crime rates, and the prevalence of professions tied closely to trust, such as doctors and lawyers.
Researchers looked at thousands of internet searches for phrases like “friendly accent” or “professional accent,” then compared them against financial crime rates and professional density.
The collected data was weighted and scored on a 100-point scale to determine which regions inspire confidence when they speak.
This approach created a balance between public perception and measurable indicators of reliability.
At the top of the list sits the Boston accent, which achieved a leading score of 56.1. More than 23,000 searches emphasized its positive reputation, while low financial crime rates and a large number of lawyers and doctors boosted its ranking.
Massachusetts also holds strong health and social metrics, including some of the highest vaccination rates and lowest infant mortality in the nation.
For many, the clipped tones and dropped “R’s” of Boston speakers convey not just character but also a sense of dependability.
Other accents rounding out the top five include Cajun in second place, Philadelphia in third, California in fourth, and New York in fifth.
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Each ranked highly in searches highlighting friendliness and professionalism, with Philadelphia benefiting from its “City of Brotherly Love” reputation and California reflecting a relaxed, approachable style.
Cajun earned its spot with roots in Louisiana’s unique heritage, while New York’s direct tone scored better than many would assume, aided by its relatively low financial crime rate.
Together, these results reveal a diverse mix of regions whose speech carries trust across different cultural backdrops.
On the other end of the scale, certain accents were deemed less reliable by public perception and data trends.
Also read: Ken Jennings' accent stuns Jeopardy! fans—did you catch this?
The Mountain West ranked lowest, largely due to Utah’s high financial crime rates, while New Jersey and the South followed closely behind.
Hawaiian accents, despite their association with hospitality, were marked down due to scam risks targeting tourists.
The Midwest also landed in the bottom five, hindered by disproportionately high crime numbers in South Dakota despite strong professional presence elsewhere.
Read next: Soldiers’ appearance standards are changing under a new US Army policy
Do you agree that a person’s accent can shape how trustworthy they seem, or do you think perception outweighs reality in these cases? Share your perspective in the comments and let us know if these rankings match your own experiences.
Across the US, different regional accents carry subtle reputations that spark assumptions of honesty, reliability, or the opposite.
A new study has revealed which accents Americans find the most trustworthy, and the results are more surprising than you might expect.
The analysis was conducted by BetUS Casino and ranked 14 American regional accents based on search interest, crime rates, and the prevalence of professions tied closely to trust, such as doctors and lawyers.
Researchers looked at thousands of internet searches for phrases like “friendly accent” or “professional accent,” then compared them against financial crime rates and professional density.
The collected data was weighted and scored on a 100-point scale to determine which regions inspire confidence when they speak.
This approach created a balance between public perception and measurable indicators of reliability.
From coast to coast, one accent stands out as the most trustworthy—here’s which. Image source: Matijn Palings / Unsplash
At the top of the list sits the Boston accent, which achieved a leading score of 56.1. More than 23,000 searches emphasized its positive reputation, while low financial crime rates and a large number of lawyers and doctors boosted its ranking.
Massachusetts also holds strong health and social metrics, including some of the highest vaccination rates and lowest infant mortality in the nation.
For many, the clipped tones and dropped “R’s” of Boston speakers convey not just character but also a sense of dependability.
Other accents rounding out the top five include Cajun in second place, Philadelphia in third, California in fourth, and New York in fifth.
Also read: 5 US destinations where fall colors shine—and prices stay low
Each ranked highly in searches highlighting friendliness and professionalism, with Philadelphia benefiting from its “City of Brotherly Love” reputation and California reflecting a relaxed, approachable style.
Cajun earned its spot with roots in Louisiana’s unique heritage, while New York’s direct tone scored better than many would assume, aided by its relatively low financial crime rate.
Together, these results reveal a diverse mix of regions whose speech carries trust across different cultural backdrops.
On the other end of the scale, certain accents were deemed less reliable by public perception and data trends.
Also read: Ken Jennings' accent stuns Jeopardy! fans—did you catch this?
The Mountain West ranked lowest, largely due to Utah’s high financial crime rates, while New Jersey and the South followed closely behind.
Hawaiian accents, despite their association with hospitality, were marked down due to scam risks targeting tourists.
The Midwest also landed in the bottom five, hindered by disproportionately high crime numbers in South Dakota despite strong professional presence elsewhere.
Read next: Soldiers’ appearance standards are changing under a new US Army policy
