They say everything’s bigger in Texas — and that apparently includes our capacity for love. A recent survey has ranked the Lone Star State as the third most romantic in the nation, edging out the likes o California and proving that Texans have just as much heart as horsepower.
The study was compiled by SmutFinder, an AI-generated erotic storytelling platform, which analyzed nationwide search data using Google Keyword Planner. The ranking was based on yearlong trends ending in April 2025, focusing on per capita search interest — and to a lesser degree, overall volume — across several romance-related topics.
Categories used to determine each state’s “Romance Score” included:
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General romantic interest: like searching for date ideas or thoughtful gifts
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Romantic travel: interest in couples’ getaways and vacation spots
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Romantic media: books, movies, and shows centered around love
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Love songs: affinity for music that tugs at the heartstrings
Combining all that data, SmutFinder crowned the following five states as the most romantic:
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New York
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Illinois
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Texas
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Ohio
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California
According to the report, Texas earns high marks thanks to its blend of “Southern charm and modern passion.” The state ranks third in general romantic interest and performs strongly across every other category — from swoon-worthy road trip searches to love song playlists.
“Whether it’s a road trip getaway or a playlist full of heart, Texans seem to embrace romance with big energy and even bigger heart,” the survey concluded.
Not every state wore its heart on its sleeve, though. The bottom five in the romance rankings were:
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Idaho (dead last)
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Montana
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Mississippi
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New Mexico
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Arkansas
So next time someone tells you Texas is all boots and BBQ, remind them it’s also candlelight, playlists, and couple’s retreats — because romance is alive and well in the Lone Star State.