10 of the Biggest State Rivalries in America
Take a look at history, and you’ll see that nearly every state in the United States has a special nemesis—friendly or not—with neighboring areas. Whether it’s sports, culture, or just some good-natured banter, each state seems to have that one special frienemy.
Why is that? Some adversaries are rooted in a serious, sometimes even brutal, past. Being close to one another often leads to a mix of familiarity and a little combative tension. Just look at our nation’s history and the civil war between the North and South. And let’s not forget that college football is where many of these competitions peak!
Residents from all over America shared their point of view online on their state’s biggest rival. Which state is your biggest enemy?
California: NorCal vs SoCal
Growing up in Southern California, I remember when I moved north to San Francisco for college and first heard the locals claiming how much better Northern California is than Southern California. I have to be honest; I had never heard of this north versus south rivalry living in San Diego. Maybe the NorCal folks have a chip on their shoulder?
Have you ever heard those jokes about Californians ruining California? Maybe there’s a kernel of truth to that, considering that the Golden State’s biggest rival is… itself! It’s true that the culture, industry, weather, and history differ drastically between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Washington: Eastern Washington vs Seattle
It’s no secret that Washington’s east and west sides have friction. The two regions have always been different in lifestyle, culture, and economy. With Seattle growing fast as the Amazon headquarters, those differences have only gotten bigger. People in eastern Washington often feel like Seattle has too much sway over state politics.
Seattle voters dominate, so the West doesn’t really have to think about the East. And for folks in eastern Washington, it can feel like they’re left dealing with policies they didn’t ask for. It’s an ongoing, low-key tug of war.
Texas: California
Texas and California are two massive states with big personalities and even bigger political differences, so it’s no surprise people think there’s contention. They’re like sibling rivals, having shared history in New Spain and Mexico, then becoming part of the U.S. around the same time. Now, they lead the country in diversity and economic power.
But the more you read about it, the more interesting it gets. While some say Texas is more adversarial, is it really a one-sided conflict? Texas loves to take jabs at California, but let’s be honest, both states enjoy poking fun at each other.
Minnesota: Wisconsin
Minnesota and Wisconsin don’t actually hate each other—unless we’re talking sports. That’s when things heat up! Sports rivalries, especially in hockey, football, and basketball, have fueled some serious competition between the two states.
Fun fact: the Minnesota-Wisconsin football rivalry is the second-longest uninterrupted one in college football history. So, when it’s the Golden Gophers vs. the Badgers, who are you cheering for? It’s all in good fun… mostly!
Dakota: North Dakota vs South Dakota
Honestly, North Dakota and South Dakota have a lot in common—the same size, mostly rural, and a shared love for agriculture along the Missouri River, but don’t say that to a local! The clash traces back to when trade routes split. North Dakota traded through Minneapolis, while South Dakota leaned towards Chicago or Kansas City. When the capital moved north, the South felt like they lost influence while the North gained it.
So, what are the major differences between the Dakotas now? North Dakota borders Canada (so they’ve got a bit more of that friendly Canadian accent), and South Dakota boasts two national parks, including Mount Rushmore, and gets more tornadoes.
New Mexico: Texas
The drama between New Mexico and Texas is mostly a showdown between the New Mexico State University in Las Cruces (NMSU) and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The rivalry has shifted from the football field and basketball court to the streets, and it’s called the Battle of the Billboards!
NMSU threw some playful shade at UTEP with a billboard featuring a girl in an NMSU shirt saying, “You’d look better in crimson,” which is NMSU’s color. UTEP fired back with a billboard showing a girl making the Miner pick axe sign (UTEP’s mascot), saying, “Pick your future, not a color.”
Kansas: Missouri
Kansas and Missouri have a long history as opponents, rooted in the violent clashes between anti-slavery and pro-slavery groups in the 1850s. Fast forward to today, and that feud has switched to the football field!
The biggest showdown is the Border War between the University of Kansas Jayhawks and the University of Missouri Tigers. Just last December, the second-ranked Jayhawks took down the Tigers for the third year in a row, winning 73-64.
Michigan: Ohio
Did you know that Ohio and Michigan were almost on the brink of civil war? The famous Ohio State-Michigan rivalry actually stems from a violent land dispute in 1835 known as the War of Toledo.
Now, that contention lives on as a legendary excuse for football fans to clash! Known as “The Game,” it’s considered one of the greatest rivalries in sports. So, do you side with the Michigan Wolverines or the Ohio State Buckeyes?
Oregon: Idaho
Not too long ago, 11 counties in eastern Oregon voted to explore seceding from the state to join Idaho. The “Greater Idaho” movement has big dreams, aiming to take 15 counties from Oregon to the Gem State.
On a lighter note, the discord doesn’t just stop at politics—it extends to sports, too! The University of Oregon Ducks and the University of Idaho Vandals face off every year in college football, adding another layer to this intriguing competition.
Pennsylvania: New York
New York and Pennsylvania have a long history, sharing a border and plenty of banter. Some say Philadelphia has a bit of an inferiority complex (especially in pro sports) when it comes to New York, while New Yorkers often don’t give Philly much thought.
But is that something New Yorkers just say to stick it to Pennsylvania? There could be some truth to that! With the Giants-Eagles NFL rivalry, Philadelphia became public enemy number one for New York City football fans!
Source: Reddit
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