The Midwestern State Most Similar to the South

Determining the Midwestern state most similar to the South requires considering a variety of different factors. One way to answer this complex question is by analyzing the data from the State Similarity Index. The index suggests Missouri is the most similar Midwestern state to the South.
Based on the following article:
objectivelists...
State Similarity Index:
objectivelists...

[@tommarney1561]

Missouri used to be the most moderate state politically, voting for the winning presidential candidate more often than any other state, IIRC. WTF happened?

[@melaniegreen1311]

I live near Kansas City, but i would say i am more southern than Midwestern, because my ancestors came from TN, KY, VA, and NC. There are many of us that still have a touch of a southern accent even though we do live in the northern part of Missouri.

[@itzamia]

My guess was Missouri. The overall winner of any state not in the South that is the most similar will always be West Virginia.