Best VPNs That Lets you Choose State
Sometimes you don’t want a random “United States” server — you want Florida instead of California, New York over New Jersey, or a specific metro like Dallas rather than a generic “US East.” Below we round up VPNs that offer state- or city-level selection in the U.S., explain how to find those servers in each app, and show when a dedicated IP is worth it.
Quick note: A VPN changes your network location (IP), not your residency, KYC, tax status, or GPS. Always follow local laws and the terms of the services you access.
How We Made This List
We evaluated providers with the U.S. in mind, prioritizing:
Access content across the globe at the highest speed rate.
70% of our readers choose Private Internet Access
70% of our readers choose ExpressVPN
Browse the web from multiple devices with industry-standard security protocols.
Faster dedicated servers for specific actions (currently at summer discounts)
- State/city granularity: You can actually pick the state (or at least the specific city/metro) rather than a single “USA” toggle.
- Coverage in major regions: East Coast, Midwest, South, Mountain, West Coast — with multiple states in each when possible.
- App experience: Quick search/filter by city/state, “favorite” lists, one-click reconnect, split-tunneling, reliable kill switch.
- Consistency: IPs that geolocate to the right state most of the time; stable routing during long sessions.
- Extras that help: Dedicated/static IP options (handy if sites flag changing IPs), obfuscation (for restrictive networks), and fast modern protocols.
Before You Start (Read This)
- “State vs city” reality: Most VPNs organize U.S. servers by city. That’s fine: picking Phoenix is effectively “Arizona,” Miami is “Florida,” etc. Granular city lists are what you’ll actually use.
- GeoIP ≠ GPS: Apps or sites that read your GPS (mobile) or device locale may still show your real location. A VPN primarily changes your IP-based location.
- Dedicated IP helps stability: If banks, trading platforms, or certain SaaS tools don’t like shared IP pools, a dedicated IP (often available in select U.S. cities/states) reduces login challenges.
- Speed vs distance: The farther the state, the more latency. If you only need “somewhere else in the U.S.,” pick the closest state that meets your purpose.
- Test at your real usage time: Evening congestion can change how well a given state server performs.
The Shortlist (with “State Pick” how-tos)
1) Private Internet Access (PIA) — Best for broad, granular U.S. coverage
Why we like it: PIA is renowned for lots of U.S. cities — meaning you can often match the exact state you want. Power-user controls and tokenized Dedicated IP are a bonus.
Pros
- Deep U.S. location list across regions
- Split tunneling and robust kill switch
- Dedicated IP option (good for consistency)
Cons
- App has many knobs (a plus for experts, noise for beginners)
How to pick a state in the app
Open Locations → search the city you want (e.g., Phoenix, Tampa, Charlotte) → click the star to favorite it → connect from the Favorites tab for one-click use.
2) Surfshark — Best value with lots of U.S. cities
Why we like it: Excellent price-to-features and an expansive city list. Unlimited devices make it a great household choice. Dedicated IP is available in select metros.
Pros
- Many U.S. city endpoints
- Unlimited devices, clean UI
- Split tunneling and kill switch on major platforms
Cons
- Long-term price can rise after promos
- Dedicated IP availability varies by city
How to pick a state
Locations → United States → expand the city list (e.g., Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, Chicago) → star your targets → connect.
3) NordVPN — Best overall polish + dedicated IP option
Why we like it: Fast apps, strong reliability, and a broad spread of U.S. city servers. Dedicated IP is an easy add-on if you need a fixed endpoint in a specific metro.
Pros
- Speedy modern protocol, solid stability
- Obfuscation for restrictive networks
- Dedicated IP available (select cities)
Cons
- Device cap may be tight for big families
How to pick a state
Search United States → open the cities drawer (e.g., Dallas, Miami, New York, Los Angeles) → save favorites. Use auto-connect to a favored city.
4) ExpressVPN — Most stable “daily driver” with multiple U.S. cities
Why we like it: The apps are rock-solid and city choices cover all key regions. Perfect if you want “set and forget” and quick city swaps.
Pros
- Consistently stable apps and fast reconnection
- Clear city labels across the U.S. regions
- Great kill switch and split tunneling support
Cons
- Pricier than most
- No dedicated IP for individuals
How to pick a state
Locations → Americas → United States → pick the city you need (e.g., Phoenix, San Francisco, New York) → add to Shortcuts for one-tap access.
5) IPVanish — Best for granular U.S. city selection
Why we like it: Historically strong on U.S. city variety, useful when you need a very specific metro/state pairing. Straightforward interface.
Pros
- Lots of U.S. metros
- Solid speeds on modern protocols
- App makes server hopping easy
Cons
- Fewer extras than the biggest brands
How to pick a state
Open Server List → filter by Country: United States → sort by City → select your state’s city and mark as favorite.
6) CyberGhost — Best one-click UX with city-labeled U.S. servers
Why we like it: Friendly apps, clear location labeling, and streaming/game profiles for quick pairing with specific U.S. cities.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly UI
- City labels for popular states
- Good “favorites” and smart rules
Cons
- Not as many “pro” toggles
- Performance can be average on busy hubs
How to pick a state
For All Servers → United States → choose your city → star it → set a Smart Rule to auto-connect at launch.
7) PureVPN — Best for dedicated IP variety in U.S. metros
Why we like it: If you want a fixed IP in a particular state/metro, PureVPN tends to offer a wide choice of dedicated IP locations.
Pros
- Dedicated IP in many U.S. cities
- Simple app experience
- Good for services that flag changing IPs
Cons
- Performance can vary by location
- Features differ between platforms
How to pick a state
Locations → United States → choose the city you want; for Dedicated IP, add it to your plan and select the assigned city endpoint in the app.
8) Proton VPN — Privacy-first with solid U.S. coverage
Why we like it: Strong security pedigree and a growing list of U.S. cities. Profiles make it easy to save multiple state targets.
Pros
- Open-source apps, strong privacy stance
- Good speeds on modern protocol
- Profile-based quick switching
Cons
- Dedicated IP generally tied to business tiers
- Multi-hop options add latency (skip for state-picking)
How to pick a state
Countries → United States → choose city → Save as Profile (e.g., “US-Phoenix,” “US-Miami”) for easy toggling.
9) Windscribe — Best free starter + robust obfuscation
Why we like it: Flexible “build-a-plan” model and excellent obfuscation options. Paid plans unlock more U.S. cities, great for fine-tuning state picks.
Pros
- Custom plans and generous free tier
- Strong obfuscation for tough networks
- Good per-app routing controls
Cons
- Free data caps
- Smaller total network than the giants
How to pick a state
Locations → US → expand cities (paid unlocks most) → pin your state’s city. Use Config Generators if you prefer manual clients.
10) TorGuard — Best for power users & static/residential options
Why we like it: Deep configurability and options for static (and in some cases residential-type) IPs. Handy if a site is picky about data-center IPs.
Pros
- Lots of protocol/port control
- Static IP choices in multiple metros
- Reliable kill switch
Cons
- Utilitarian UI
- Extras cost more
How to pick a state
Servers → filter United States → pick the city nearest your target state; for static IP, purchase the city you want and set it in the app.
11) Mullvad — Best minimalism, straightforward city list
Why we like it: No-nonsense privacy with a clean, predictable city list across the U.S. Even without every single state, it covers the majors reliably.
Pros
- Low jitter; simple app
- Privacy-first account model
- Per-app routing (platform-dependent)
Cons
- No dedicated IP
- Fewer total U.S. cities than leaders
How to pick a state
Locations → United States → pick nearest city to your state; lock it as default and enable “always-on.”
12) VyprVPN — Consistent obfuscation + clear U.S. city labeling
Why we like it: Strong obfuscation mode and plainly labeled U.S. cities; good choice if you travel and still want a specific state/metro.
Pros
- Easy city selection
- Obfuscation baked in
- Stable day-to-day performance
Cons
- Smaller overall network
- No dedicated IP for individuals
How to pick a state
Servers → United States → pick city → add to favorites; enable auto-connect on untrusted Wi-Fi.
FAQ (State-Pick Basics)
Which VPN lets me choose a specific U.S. state?
Several. In practice you choose a city that corresponds to the state (e.g., Phoenix → Arizona, Miami → Florida). Providers with broad U.S. city lists (like PIA, Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, CyberGhost, etc.) make this easy.
Are there VPNs with “all 50 states”?
A few market near-nationwide coverage. What matters day-to-day is whether the city you need is there and performs well. Most needs are met by coverage across the major metros in each region.
Will websites always think I’m in that state?
Nearly always based on IP geolocation, but some services also look at GPS (phones), browser locale, or account settings. For the strongest state signal: use a desktop (no GPS), set the city server you want, and ensure your app or site isn’t reading GPS.
Do I need a dedicated IP to “stick” to a state?
Not necessarily. A dedicated IP helps avoid account challenges on banking/broker/enterprise apps. For general browsing or streaming, a shared city IP is usually fine.
Will picking a faraway state slow me down?
Yes — distance adds latency. If your goal is simply “not my home state,” choose the closest alternate state to minimize lag.
How can I verify the state after connecting?
Check an IP geolocation page (or two) and confirm the city/state. If one service shows a neighboring city, try another server in the same metro.
Can I favorite multiple states and auto-connect?
Yes. Most apps let you favorite cities and set auto-connect. Create a Favorites list with your top states and pin them.
Comparison Table (State/City Granularity at a Glance)
| Provider | State/City Granularity (US) | Dedicated IP Option | Obfuscation Mode | Split Tunneling | Kill Switch | App Ease (Mac/Win/Mobile) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Internet Access | Very broad city list across regions | Yes (tokenized) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Power-features with favorites | Power users who want lots of U.S. cities |
| Surfshark | Broad U.S. city list | Yes (select metros) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Simple & unlimited devices | Households; value seekers |
| NordVPN | Broad U.S. city list | Yes (select metros) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Polished & fast | All-rounders who may need a fixed IP |
| ExpressVPN | Broad U.S. city list | No | Automatic | Yes | Yes | Extremely stable | “Set and forget” daily drivers |
| IPVanish | Many U.S. metros | No (consumer plans) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Straightforward | Granular state/metro matching |
| CyberGhost | Clear city labeling | No (consumer plans) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Very beginner-friendly | One-click simplicity |
| PureVPN | Good U.S. spread | Yes (many metros) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Simple UI | People who want a dedicated IP in a state |
| Proton VPN | Solid U.S. coverage | Business-oriented | Stealth/Alt ports | Yes | Yes | Clean & private | Privacy-first users |
| Windscribe | Paid unlocks many U.S. cities | No consumer dedicated IP | Strong | Yes | Yes | Flexible | Free starter + obfuscation |
| TorGuard | Good U.S. metro choice | Yes (incl. static) | Multiple | Yes | Yes | Utilitarian | Tinkerers & static IP fans |
| Mullvad | Core U.S. cities | No | Limited | App-dependent | Yes | Minimalist | Simple, privacy-first setups |
| VyprVPN | Core U.S. cities | No | Strong (Chameleon) | Yes | Yes | Stable | Travelers needing obfuscation |
Granularity notes: “Very broad” means multiple cities per region (East, South, Midwest, Mountain, West) with easy city search/favorites. Dedicated IP availability, city lists, and app features can vary by platform and plan.
Tips (You’ll Actually Use)
- Build a Favorites row: Star 4–6 cities that map to the states you care about (e.g., NYC, Miami, Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle).
- Name profiles by state: “US-FL (Miami),” “US-TX (Dallas),” etc., so you can switch without thinking.
- Test duplicates in one state: Many providers have more than one server per city — try a couple; one often routes better.
- Keep GPS off on mobile if you truly need the state to reflect your VPN IP (some apps read GPS over IP).
- Use split tunneling so only the apps that need a state go through the tunnel; leave the rest of your traffic local for speed.
- Avoid multi-hop/extra privacy layers when state picking — they add latency and aren’t necessary for simple location control.
Summary (Ordered Steps)
- Define your states: List the 3–6 states you actually need.
- Pick a provider with broad U.S. city lists (PIA, Surfshark, NordVPN, ExpressVPN are strong starters).
- Favorite the cities that map to those states and name profiles clearly (US-GA/Atlanta, US-AZ/Phoenix, etc.).
- Enable kill switch and split tunneling; route only the target app(s) through the VPN.
- Verify geolocation on two IP-check pages; switch to another city server if the state reads wrong.
- Decide on dedicated IP if you face repeated login challenges with banks/brokers/SaaS.
- Re-test at peak time (evenings/weekends) and keep the best-performing state servers pinned.
Conclusion
If your goal is “pick a U.S. state, not just ‘United States’,” focus on VPNs with deep city lists and clean in-app searching/favorites. For most people, Private Internet Access, Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN deliver the easiest day-to-day state/city selection. Add dedicated IP if you need a consistent identity for sensitive logins. With a handful of starred cities and a quick pre-use check, you’ll swap states in seconds — and get on with what you actually meant to do.
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