Ohio

The Buckeye state may not seem like the obvious place to get your most earth shattering kiss, but with a score of 86.3 out of 100, the chemistry numbers really add up. Clark Gable may have romanced the nation in the southern classic Gone with the Wind but he is actually a native of Ohio—maybe his home state inspired the declaration, “you should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how”.

Alabama

“The Heart of Dixie” comes in second place for the state with the best kissers, with a solid score of 83 out of 100. Some of the most skilled kissers in Alabama are not only pecking pros (almost clocking in at “expert” level) but the data reveals that they receive recognition from their partners more often than other states.

West Virginia

Not sure if it’s the southern hospitality talking, but West Virginia is giving “confidence”, with a higher than average comfort level with kissing in public. Perhaps their state motto “Mountaineers are always free” earned them some extra PDA points and their overall score of 80.3 out of a 100.

Oregon

With bragging rights for having one of the friendliest cities in the U.S. for singles as of 2024 (Portland), no wonder it came in at 77.6 out of 100. 42% of Oregonians are told they are “good kissers” more often than not, just trailing the heels of another top kissing contender (Alabama).

New York

Having some of the most iconic landmarks on and off the silver screen, New York came in as the 5th state with the best kissers. New Yorkers show the highest preference for kissing over other forms of affection compared to all other states. With Central Park being one of the most popular places to get engaged, we can see how New York really turns up the charm for couples.

California

Coming in at a tepid 19 out of 100, California really missed their mark for memorable makeouts. With a backdrop of rolling vineyards, sparkling beaches, and the dazzling lights of Hollywood, one might expect California to take the lead. But, shying away with the lowest average of kissing partners (11 people on average) this state might not be getting much practice in between auditions.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts may be one of the most educated states in the country, with the likes of Harvard and MIT, but it could use some more schooling when it comes to quality kissing. With disappointing kissing compliment marks (16%) and a lower than average comfort level for kissing in public (4.63 out of 10), we simply can’t give them a passing grade for best pecks.

Nebraska

Nebraska may have been the first state to develop the 911 Emergency system we use today, but it simply does not show the skills (6.35 out of 10) or the overall kissing enjoyment (6.31 out of 10) that would set off any chemistry alarms for their fellow partner.

In addition to ranking the states with the best and worst kissers, we asked a series of questions to gain national insights into the art of kissing. Here are some intriguing findings:

Kissing Confessions

It turns out, some people are really putting on the moves: over 16% of Americans have admitted to making out with someone to stir up jealousy. Women are more likely than men to have kissed someone to make someone else jealous: 37% of women have either done it or thought about it, compared to 25% of men.

Turning Off the Charm

Nearly a third of Americans have admitted to kissing someone they weren’t interested in just to avoid the awkwardness of dodging it (28%). On the other hand, 72% of people would rather face the awkwardness of dodging a kiss than kiss someone they don’t want to.

Kissing Dealbreakers

But it’s not just about who you kiss; what turns people off is equally revealing. A whopping 59% of Americans cite bad breath as the ultimate kissing killer. Clearly, oral hygiene is key to unlocking hearts (and locking lips). Interestingly, 17% of women consider too much tongue to be the biggest turnoff, compared to only 5% of men who feel the same way.

Public Displays of Affection: Family Edition

When it comes to kissing in front of family, comfort levels vary widely among Americans. Overall, 42% feel at ease with this display of affection. Interestingly, comfort increases with age: only 29% of Gen Z feels comfortable, compared to 61% of those 59 and older. Additionally, men are more comfortable kissing in front of family than women, with 46% of men feeling comfortable compared to only 38% of women.

The Magic of a First Kiss

There’s something undeniably special about that first kiss. Nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) believe in the magic it holds, with 47% saying it sets the tone for the entire relationship. On the flip side, 21% think that building chemistry takes time, and 7% feel that a kiss is just a kiss. Interestingly, Baby Boomers are the strongest believers in the magic of a first kiss (37%)

Practice Makes Perfect

It turns out the road to kissing greatness might involve a few unexpected pit stops. 54% of Americans admit to kissing something or someone to perfect their technique – a testament to the art of the smooch. And while we might expect this from younger generations, it’s fascinating to see that nearly a quarter (24%) of Gen Z has even kissed their own hand for practice!

Time to Pucker Up

Regardless of age, the sweet spot for the most unforgettable kiss is consistently in the early twenties, specifically at age 22. The consensus is clear: the “best kiss” occurs during the prime of our youth, holding a special place in the hearts (and lips) of kissers everywhere.

Short and Sweet

48% of Americans believe the perfect kiss should only last a few seconds, 40% think it should last about a minute, and 12% say it should go on for several minutes.

Kissing Cadence

Think the best pecks should be part of your day-to-day routine? So does most of the country; while the ideal kissing cadence is a deeply personal choice, it looks like kissing on the daily packs the most punch. Daily smooches seem to be the norm for most Americans (74%), with 48% of them doing so multiple times a day (bring on the chapstick) and only 26% tuning into a rather fuzzy kissing frequency of a few times a week or less.

The First Date Kiss Debate

Most of us believe that a first kiss should be a special occasion, with nearly 60% thinking it’s appropriate only sometimes on a first date. 23% think it should happen rarely, 10% say it should never occur, and 9% feel it should always be part of the first date.

From coast to coast, some states (cheers to Ohio) are clearly leading the pack in the pucker department. Others, well, might need a little more practice. One thing’s clear: chemistry knows no state lines.

At The Matchmaking Company, we believe compatibility starts with connection – and what better way to spark it than with a sizzling kiss? After all, every great love story begins with a spark. Find your perfect match today.

To determine which states have the best kissers, we conducted a survey of over 3,200 individuals from each state*. The survey included a series of questions designed to assess various aspects of kissing proficiency and enjoyment. The responses were then used to create a comprehensive ranking from best to worst kissers across the states. Each question was assigned a specific factor weight, and the combined scores formed an overall rating out of 100, with 100 indicating the best kissers and 0 indicating the worst.

Ranking Factors:

• Kissing Count: The average number of people someone has kissed in each state.
• Kissing Skill Rating: The average rating individuals give their kissing skills on a scale from 1 (Novice) to 10 (Expert).
• Kissing Enjoyment: The degree to which individuals enjoy kissing compared to other forms of physical affection.
• Kissing Compliments: The percentage of individuals who are often or very often complimented on their kissing skills.
• Kissing Satisfaction: The average satisfaction rating individuals give to the kissing experiences they’ve had with partners in their state.
• Public Kissing Comfort: The comfort levels individuals have with kissing in public.

*The following states were not included due to insufficient survey respondents: Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming.