From the sharp vowels of “wooder ice” to the unmistakable way we say “jawn,” the Philadelphia accent is one of the most studied dialects in the country. Linguistics have spent decades trying to pin down quirks, tracing its mix of Mid-Atlantic, immigrant, and working-class roots. To outsiders, it can sound gritty, direct, and no-nonsense. To locals, it’s simply home. Now, a new report has ranked Philadelphia as one of the nations most trustworthy accents.
How did Philly rank in trustworthiness?
According to a study by BetUS Casino, the Philadelphia accent scored 48.1 points, placing it 3rd among the most trustworthy accents in America.
It finished just behind Boston and Cajun accents, but ahead of California and New York.
That means people nationwide associate our accent with being friendly, professional and—above all—honest.
What’s behind the ‘most trustworthy’ ranking?
The study used a data-driven approach, analyzing thousands of online searches for terms like “friendly [accent]” and “professional [accent].”
Philly stood out with over 19,000 searches connecting our accent to those traits.
Researches also factored in regional financial crime rates—where Philly showed some of the lowest numbers in the nation—plus professional density, like the numerous of doctors and lawyers in the area.
Together, it all paints a picture of a city where people’s words carry weight.
Why does this matter to Philadelphia?
Accents shape perceptions, whether in business, politics, or everyday life.
For Philadelphians, being recognized as one of the most trustworthy voices in the nation is more than bragging rights.
It’s validation of what locals have known all along: when we speak we mean it.
Ask any Philadelphian and they’ll tell you that our accent isn’t an act, it’s who we are.
Direct, a little tough around the edges, but always real.
And now, a national study proves it: the Philly accent is one of the most trustworthy in the country.
That’s a good jawn.
To see the full list of the 14 most and least trustworthy accents in America, click here.