America's Best and Worst States for Off-Grid Living

Let’s be real—we’ve all daydreamed at some point about quitting the conventional way of living for a simpler, more natural way of living, far from the hustle of overcrowded cities, where the buzz comes more from bees instead of phone notifications. Well, such a lifestyle may not be that out of reach!

Off-grid living has become increasingly popular among individuals and families seeking a more self-sufficient, and sustainable lifestyle. Search terms like “off-grid living” (+211%), “off-grid living winter” (+1500%), “off-grid living USA” (+200%), and questions like “is off-grid living legal” (+500%) spiked in the past years, which prompted us to take a deeper look into the data surrounding the topic. This growing trend highlights people’s increased interest in living off-grid—but where’s the best place to put down roots?

To answer that question, we analyzed 19 different data factors across 5 main categories: affordability, climate sustainability, legal regulations, safety, and outdoor access. We’ve then compiled the results in a comprehensive list, highlighting the best states for those looking to go off-grid!

Key Findings

• New Mexico is the best state for overall off-grid living, while Rhode Island ranks the worst.
• Most affordable states: Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, and Washington are the cheapest states for the off-grid lifestyle.
• The state with the best climate is Hawaii , followed by Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Best states for off-grid legality: New Mexico, North Dakota, Missouri, South Carolina, and Minnesota have minimal legal restrictions on off-grid living.
• Most dangerous states: Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, and Arkansas have the highest crime rate scores and the highest number of weather disasters, which is a key consideration for choosing a safe off-grid location.
• States with the most outdoor resources: New York tops the list, followed by Alaska, Florida, Washington, and California.

The Best States for Off-Grid Living

Some states offer near ideal conditions for off-grid living, making self-sufficiency more attainable and sustainable. These are the top five states that almost have it all—affordable land, favorable climates, and fewer legal restrictions on alternative energy, and water collection: 

1. New Mexico - (75.37/100)

New Mexico is crowned the best overall because it is one of the least restrictive states when it comes to off-grid regulations. Rainwater collection is encouraged, there are minimal zoning regulations across the state (zoning laws govern land use, set by local governments), and there are few livestock and animal restrictions. Additionally, New Mexico is one of the most affordable states for off-grid living, ranking 5th in the category. The cost of living is low, pasture and farm real estate values per acre are the cheapest in the U.S., and cropland values are among the most affordable. However, in terms of safety, climate conditions, and outdoor opportunities, New Mexico ranks mid-tier among the states.

2. South Carolina - (74.43/100)

South Carolina ranks second for off-grid living due to its relaxed legal regulations. Just like New Mexico, rainwater collection is encouraged, zoning regulations are minimal, and livestock and animal restrictions are not excessive. The state ranks 9th in the climate category, receiving ample annual rainfall and maintaining favorable temperatures. While it fares well environmentally, South Carolina ranks in the middle range when considering cost and outdoor opportunities.

3. Missouri - (73.00/100)

Missouri is another state with few restrictions on off-grid living. Rainwater collection is supported, zoning regulations are minimal, and livestock and animal regulations are lenient. In terms of affordability, Missouri ranks 13th, offering a reasonable cost of living, moderate farmland and cropland prices, and some incentives for renewable energy. However, it ranks as the third-lowest state in safety.

4. Mississippi - (72.74/100)

Mississippi ranks fourth overall primarily due to its climate sustainability, ranking 3rd in this category. The state experiences high annual rainfall and maintains one of the warmest average temperatures in the U.S. However, when considering legality, cost, safety, and outdoor opportunities, Mississippi falls into the mid-range compared to other states.

5. Washington - (72.61/100)

Washington rounds out the top five. The state is one of the most affordable options, ranking 5th in cost category, with pasture prices among the cheapest in the U.S. It ranks 4th in outdoor opportunities, featuring a high number of organic farms and state parks, and abundant RV parks and campgrounds. This makes Washington an excellent choice for those looking for both affordability and outdoor access.

The Worst States for Off-Grid Living

Not all states are well-suited for off-grid living, as harsh climates, high land costs, restrictive laws, and limited natural resources can make self-sufficiency difficult or unsustainable. Our data shows these are the states best for on-grid living:

1. Rhode Island - (48.92/100)

Rhode Island ranks as the worst state for off-grid living due to its high costs. It has the most expensive average value per acre for pasture and cropland and the second most expensive farm real estate prices. Additionally, when it comes to climate conditions, Rhode Island ranks low (25th), receiving a moderate amount of sun, rain, and temperature variation.

2. New Jersey - (54.96/100)

Similar to Rhode Island, New Jersey ranks poorly due to its high costs—it is the third most expensive state for off-grid living. The state has some of the highest average prices per acre for pasture, cropland, and farm real estate. It is also the 5th state with the highest cost of living. For other metrics such as legality, safety, climate sustainability, and outdoor opportunities, New Jersey falls in the middle of the rankings.

3. Massachusetts - (56.72/100)

Massachusetts ranks low because it is the fourth most expensive state for off-grid living. It has the second-highest cost of living and some of the most expensive cropland, pasture, and farm real estate values. Additionally, it ranks low in terms of legal regulations (37th), with significant zoning laws and strict livestock and animal protection regulations.

4. Alaska - (60.01/100)

Alaska ranks poorly due to its extreme climate conditions, making off-grid living especially challenging. It receives the lowest amount of sunlight and has the lowest temperatures, with minimal rainfall. Additionally, it is the 11th most expensive state for off-grid living. Legal regulations in Alaska are moderate, but the extreme climate makes sustainability difficult.

5. Illinois - (61.23/100)

Illinois rounds up the bottom five due to restrictive regulations, ranking 46th in the legal category. Rainwater collection is legal but with restrictions, and the state has strong livestock laws and widespread zoning regulations. Additionally, Illinois ranks as the 19th most expensive state in terms of overall cost of living, making it a less-than-ideal choice for off-grid enthusiasts.

Best States for Every Off-Grid Need

Affordability

Cost is a crucial factor when considering off-grid living, as the initial setup and ongoing costs can vary widely depending on location. Land prices, property taxes, and the cost of essential resources like water, solar panels, and building materials all impact the feasibility of a sustainable lifestyle. Our analysis shows these are top five most affordable states to live off-grid: 

• Texas stands out as a top choice with a low cost of living at $37,582 pasture and cropland values of $2,200 and $2,570 per acre, respectively, and has 115 incentives for renewable energy.
• Colorado, despite a slightly higher cost of living at $45,931, offers pastureland at $1,100 per acre, cropland at $2,810 per acre, and has 102 incentives for renewable energy, making it a strong contender. 
• Oregon, with a cost of living at $46,193, provides pastureland at $4,350 per acre, cropland at $1,050 per acre, and has 101 incentives for renewable energy.
• Minnesota balances affordability with pasture at $2,210 per acre, cropland at $6,540 per acre and, alongside a cost of living at $41,498 and 131 incentives for renewable energy.
• Washington rounds out the list with competitive farmland prices at $940 per acre, cropland at $3,410, and an attractive cost of living at $47,231 with 83 incentives for renewable energy.

Legal Regulations

Before you decide on going off-grid, you must check if the state legally supports an off-grid lifestyle. Some states have lenient building codes, encourage rainwater collection, and permit alternative energy systems, making it easier to live independently. These are the least restrictive five states in the U.S. for off-grid living: 

• New Mexico, North Dakota, Missouri, and South Carolina all scored a perfect 100 in legal favorability, making them ideal locations for those seeking fewer restrictions. 
• Minnesota follows closely behind with a strong legal score of 95 because of the moderate livestock and animal protection regulations.

Climate

A sustainable climate is critical for long-term off-grid living, as it directly impacts food production, water availability, and energy generation. A moderate climate with ample sunlight, consistent rainfall, and manageable seasonal changes is ideal for those relying on solar power, rainwater collection, and homegrown food. Top five states with ideal climate for off-grid living are: 

• Hawaii tops the list with abundant sunlight (4,557 kJ/m2), annual rainfall at 63.7 inches, and a stable average temperature of 70°F. 
• Alabama and Mississippi (scoring 91.65 and 91.06, respectively) also offer ideal climates with substantial annual rainfall (59.8 inches and 60.1 inches, respectively) and average temperatures around 64°F. 
• North Carolina provides a balanced environment with ample sunshine (4,282 kJ/m2), moderate rainfall (52,52 inches), and a mild temperature of 60.6°F. 
• Tennessee comes in fifth place with an amount of sunshine similar to North Carolina’s (4,219 kJ/m2), but a bit more rain (56.23 inches) and a slightly lower average temperature (59.50°F).

Safety

Safety is a significant concern for off-grid living, as both crime rates and natural disasters can greatly impact self-sufficiency and overall well-being. Low-crime areas provide a more secure environment for those living independently, reducing the risk of theft or trespassing on off-grid properties. The data shows these are the safest five states for off-grid living:

• Hawaii emerges as the safest option, experiencing only 2 recorded weather disasters and a crime rate score of 142. 
• Maine and New Hampshire also rank highly, with relatively low numbers of natural disasters at 19 and 21 and low crime rate 103 and 102, respectively. 
• Vermont remains a safe option with just 19 recorded climate incidents and a crime score of 209.
• Utah also has a reasonable level of safety with 25 recorded weather events and a bit higher crime score of 227.

Outdoor Opportunities

Outdoor accessibility enhances off-grid living by providing essential resources like firewood, wild game, and freshwater sources. States with vast public lands, fertile soil, and plentiful forests offer greater opportunities for foraging, hunting, and sustainable land management. These are the top 5 states with great outdoor opportunities:

• New York boasts a high number of organic farms (55), significant water areas (7,429 square miles), and an extensive forest coverage of 62.9%. 
• Alaska is unmatched in outdoor resources, offering the most extensive water areas (94,743 square miles) and an impressive forest coverage of 35.2%.
• Florida and Washington provide varied outdoor experiences, with Florida offering 12,133 square miles of water areas and Washington having 4,842 square miles of water and both averaging 51% forest coverage. 
• California, with its 7,916 square miles of water, 32.7% forest coverage, and nine national parks, completes the list as an excellent destination for those looking to connect with nature while living off-grid.

		Scores						Affordability Category					Climate Category			Legal Category				Safety Category		Outdoor Category
State	Overall Ranking	Overall Off- Grid Score	Affordability Category Score	Climate Category Score	Legal Category Score	Safety Category Score	Outhoor Category Score	Cost of Living ( $ )	Pasture Average Value per Acre ( $ )	Cropland Average Value per Acre ( $ )	Farm Real Estate Average Value per Acre ( $ )	Incentives for Renewable Energy	Annual Average Sunlight (kJ/m2)	Annual Average Rain (inches)	Average Temperature (°F)	Off-Grid Living Legal Status	Rainwater Collection Legality	Zoning Regulations Spreading Across State	Livestock and Animal Protection Regulations	Crime Rate	Weather&Climate Disasters	Organic Farms	Water Areas (square miles)	Forest Coverage	National Parks	State Parks
New Mexico	1	75.37	75.88	73.45	100.00	57.16	18.81	$34,501	600	2,000	700	41	4,258	11.70	55.50	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Weak regulations	696	38	33	292	31.99%	2	35
South Carolina	2	74.43	66.08	88.89	100.00	43.48	28.53	$34,826	4,150	3,800	4,500	39	3,804	51.41	64.20	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Weak regulations	466	101	7	1,960	68.19%	1	37
Missouri	3	73.00	70.13	80.53	100.00	37.02	22.17	$35,338	2,650	4,910	4,800	58	3,887	42.08	56.50	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Weak regulations	453	120	15	965	35.16%	1	55
Mississippi	4	72.74	66.70	91.06	82.50	55.61	24.71	$32,336	3,120	3,880	3,490	23	3,723	60.07	65.60	Legal	Legal	Medium	Weak regulations	111	108	2	1,509	65.07%	0	25
Washington	5	72.61	76.05	65.98	80.00	72.07	49.74	$47,231	940	3,410	3,620	83	3,012	41.86	48.00	Legal	Legal	Low	Strong regulations	354	36	82	4,842	52.74%	3	142
Alabama	6	72.53	65.16	91.65	90.00	42.51	26.07	$33,654	3,330	4,440	4,000	21	3,765	59.77	64.80	Legal	Legal	Low	Weak regulations	356	116	7	1,775	70.57%	0	21
Kentucky	7	71.92	63.54	86.71	90.00	56.82	22.95	$35,508	3,770	6,220	5,300	33	4,170	51.29	57.50	Legal	Legal	Low	Weak regulations	224	92	10	921	49.35%	1	38
Minnesota	8	71.80	77.12	56.08	95.00	66.34	26.04	$41,498	2,210	6,540	6,450	131	2,900	25.70	43.20	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Moderate regulations	261	62	20	7,309	34.08%	1	65
New York	9	71.77	74.77	66.84	87.50	49.01	55.14	$49,623	1,910	3,850	4,150	95	3,044	43.95	47.90	Legal	Encouraged	Medium	Moderate regulations	386	95	55	7,429	62.88%	0	164
Oklahoma	10	71.59	71.25	84.91	85.00	40.52	16.22	$33,966	2,000	2,310	2,400	31	4,179	35.14	61.50	Legal	Legal	Low	Moderate regulations	413	115	3	1,304	28.80%	0	38
Florida	11	70.83	57.41	86.38	90.00	57.58	50.21	$40,512	7,100	10,170	8,300	76	3,996	55.88	72.80	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Strong regulations	188	94	24	12,133	50.68%	3	158
Indiana	12	70.74	66.50	78.13	95.00	50.19	11.68	$36,207	2,670	7,870	8,510	61	3,902	41.16	53.70	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Moderate regulations	313	100	11	593	21.06%	1	23
West Virginia	13	70.47	65.85	79.20	77.50	72.82	30.99	$34,861	2,250	4,050	3,420	8	3,857	45.57	53.80	Legal	Legal	Medium	Moderate regulations	238	47	9	192	79.01%	1	35
Maine	14	70.37	69.89	62.78	80.00	88.73	36.88	$39,899	1,498	3,245	3,260	30	2,873	45.48	44.10	Legal	Legal	Low	Strong regulations	103	19	36	4,537	89.46%	1	32
Virginia	15	70.26	61.29	86.06	90.00	47.48	29.67	$43,067	5,090	5,930	5,850	45	4,280	46.92	57.20	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Strong regulations	236	116	29	3,285	62.93%	1	41
Wyoming	16	69.85	72.10	58.06	90.00	80.83	8.20	$37,550	740	1,960	975	18	3,550	14.60	42.90	Legal	Legal	Low	Weak regulations	178	32	1	720	18.42%	2	11
North Dakota	17	69.67	70.61	52.90	100.00	80.26	3.61	$35,707	1,050	2,600	2,260	16	2,952	16.64	42.20	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Weak regulations	263	24	0	1,698	1.72%	1	13
Michigan	18	69.60	66.99	62.45	95.00	59.41	45.03	$37,111	2,970	5,870	6,310	51	2,982	33.74	47.10	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Moderate regulations	446	60	19	40,175	55.62%	1	77
Montana	19	69.55	73.64	55.31	92.50	68.22	18.92	$37,328	890	1,280	1,200	28	3,096	16.99	43.50	Legal	Encouraged	Medium	Weak regulations	438	37	20	1,494	27.45%	2	46
Georgia	20	69.36	63.63	90.22	80.00	38.08	30.82	$38,747	4,700	4,330	4,500	37	3,806	54.32	65.30	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Low	Weak regulations	303	134	15	1,912	67.28%	0	49
Texas	21	69.31	80.49	81.17	70.00	13.30	29.73	$37,582	2,200	2,570	2,800	115	3,964	25.92	67.20	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Low	Strong regulations	403	190	27	7,365	37.33%	2	76
Nebraska	22	69.21	65.98	66.90	95.00	68.85	4.24	$37,519	1,400	6,540	4,080	19	3,626	20.74	50.70	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Moderate regulations	165	66	0	524	3.20%	0	17
Vermont	23	69.20	68.75	63.60	77.50	84.34	37.36	$43,927	2,861	6,197	4,350	70	2,881	45.07	45.20	Legal	Legal	Medium	Moderate regulations	209	19	51	400	77.81%	0	56
Utah	24	68.91	67.38	67.24	80.00	81.38	20.16	$40,586	1,800	5,040	3,300	28	4,033	11.98	50.10	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Low	Weak regulations	227	25	5	2,727	34.48%	5	42
Arkansas	25	68.85	66.59	89.86	72.50	39.07	26.78	$32,979	3,270	3,600	4,110	25	4,004	54.52	62.00	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Medium	Weak regulations	608	97	13	1,143	56.31%	1	46
Maryland	26	68.79	57.30	82.58	95.00	51.12	22.23	$48,235	6,580	8,770	9,470	72	4,044	43.19	56.90	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Moderate regulations	424	85	11	2,699	39.36%	0	48
Pennsylvania	27	68.72	61.92	72.45	95.00	47.52	41.68	$40,066	4,160	9,270	8,160	61	3,375	44.40	51.10	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Moderate regulations	253	114	14	1,312	58.60%	0	124
Oregon	28	68.42	77.47	64.98	62.50	71.43	30.87	$46,193	1,050	4,350	3,720	101	3,244	30.41	48.70	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Medium	Strong regulations	325	41	77	2,391	48.51%	1	54
Arizona	29	68.14	69.28	77.65	65.00	72.43	15.39	$39,856	920	8,000	4,000	51	4,209	10.41	61.80	Legal	Legal	High	Strong regulations	363	34	24	396	25.64%	3	29
Louisiana	30	67.95	66.19	89.39	70.00	39.57	23.49	$35,576	3,360	3,480	3,720	25	3,754	60.75	68.30	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Low	Strong regulations	516	106	11	9,174	53.20%	0	21
North Carolina	31	67.69	65.31	90.56	67.50	40.01	28.50	$36,702	5,810	5,120	5,190	71	4,282	52.52	60.60	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Medium	Moderate regulations	372	121	38	5,201	59.73%	1	33
New Hampshire	32	67.59	62.12	64.97	80.00	88.04	33.93	$45,575	3,466	7,508	6,250	43	2,870	47.18	46.20	Legal	Encouraged	High	Moderate regulations	102	21	9	397	84.32%	0	43
California	33	66.51	63.52	79.76	62.50	61.92	49.39	$53,171	3,930	17,330	13,400	158	4,289	19.72	59.90	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Medium	Strong regulations	510	46	140	7,916	32.71%	9	139
Kansas	34	66.45	67.38	76.15	77.50	45.97	7.15	$35,185	2,100	3,300	2,970	12	4,019	25.46	56.10	Legal	Legal	Medium	Moderate regulations	397	102	6	520	4.78%	0	28
South Dakota	35	66.36	68.81	59.14	82.50	73.19	4.62	$36,864	1,270	4,350	2,780	20	3,151	18.74	47.00	Legal	Legal	Medium	Weak regulations	327	36	4	1,305	3.93%	2	13
Wisconsin	36	66.29	65.64	60.31	85.00	64.94	29.21	$37,374	3,200	6,800	6,120	50	2,922	32.69	45.50	Legal	Legal	Low	Moderate regulations	286	63	30	11,339	48.98%	0	48
Tennessee	37	66.27	59.07	90.29	77.50	31.28	28.78	$34,742	5,360	5,610	5,710	17	4,219	56.23	59.50	Legal	Legal	Medium	Moderate regulations	627	116	31	909	52.83%	1	56
Delaware	38	66.27	49.64	84.78	87.50	71.40	11.46	$44,389	8,047	9,230	9,520	31	4,225	43.87	57.40	Legal	Encouraged	Medium	Moderate regulations	379	35	0	540	27.26%	0	17
Colorado	39	66.25	79.40	68.46	55.00	52.61	22.28	$45,931	1,100	2,810	2,200	102	4,299	16.83	46.80	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	High	Strong regulations	468	76	45	452	34.42%	4	43
Nevada	40	65.42	71.91	67.64	60.00	72.94	9.11	$41,630	619	2,550	1,150	25	4,021	9.26	51.80	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	High	Moderate regulations	413	27	1	791	15.89%	2	20
Iowa	41	65.29	61.13	65.92	90.00	57.21	12.75	$35,871	3,500	9,800	9,420	46	3,265	30.26	49.70	Legal	Legal	Low	Weak regulations	268	86	3	416	8.43%	0	54
Idaho	42	65.06	66.67	60.43	72.50	78.60	18.58	$37,658	2,310	5,820	4,390	34	3,412	21.93	44.50	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Medium	Weak regulations	232	32	14	926	40.55%	1	27
Ohio	43	63.44	59.73	73.12	75.00	49.96	25.39	$35,932	4,000	9,270	8,760	37	3,411	39.95	53.30	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Low	Moderate regulations	274	105	16	3,965	30.92%	1	74
Connecticut	44	61.58	46.79	73.37	75.00	77.21	35.95	$46,912	6,865	14,872	14,300	46	3,213	50.34	51.70	Legal	Encouraged	High	Strong regulations	150	45	7	701	55.24%	0	102
Hawaii	45	61.28	26.58	96.00	80.00	93.38	26.28	$55,491	9,942	21,537	29,327	30	4,557	63.70	70.00	Legal	Encouraged	High	Moderate regulations	142	2	113	4,509	42.53%	2	20
Illinois	46	61.23	62.63	75.72	62.50	40.99	12.92	$41,395	3,970	9,550	8,700	69	3,682	39.11	53.90	Legal	Legal (with restrictions)	Medium	Strong regulations	286	128	8	2,395	13.64%	0	41
Alaska	47	60.01	60.19	44.79	77.50	67.05	50.59	$48,670	2,389	5,176	12,082	16	2,490	39.92	28.00	Legal	Legal	Medium	Moderate regulations	724	8	33	94,743	35.16%	8	34
Massachusetts	48	56.72	38.41	71.29	75.00	70.74	29.32	$53,860	10,192	22,079	14,300	88	3,088	49.24	50.90	Legal	Encouraged	High	Strong regulations	306	45	21	2,754	60.57%	0	48
New Jersey	49	54.96	29.73	79.07	80.00	63.83	18.46	$49,511	15,000	16,300	16,200	50	3,655	46.97	55.30	Legal	Legal	Low	Strong regulations	206	75	8	1,368	41.72%	0	27
Rhode Island	50	48.92	8.53	73.86	90.00	80.92	19.11	$44,481	16,029	34,722	22,000	32	3,180	51.03	52.40	Legal	Encouraged	Low	Strong regulations	167	33	1	511	54.38%	0	14

Methodology

In order to determine the best states for off-grid living, we compared the 50 states across five key categories: 1) Affordability, 2) Climate Sustainability, 3) Legal Regulations, 4) Safety and 5) Outdoor Opportunities.

We evaluated those categories using 19 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights and data sources. Each category was graded on a 100-point scale, and each metric inside a category has been given a weight out of 100-points inside its category, too.

Finally, we determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order the states.

Affordability - Total Weight: 40 Points

Cost of living (~10 points) - Includes expenses for healthcare, taxes, food and transportation and was taken from the Forbes’s Cost Of Living Analysis. 

Pasture, Cropland and Farm Real Estate Cost (~30 points pasture, 30 points cropland, 10 points farm real estate)  - The average values per acre of pasture, cropland, and farmland were taken from the Land Values 2024 Summary released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For the states where the values were missing, we used the most recent data we could find in the land summaries of the previous years, or we worked up an estimate.

Renewable Energy Incentives (~20 points) - The number of incentives and policies for renewable energy were taken from DSIRE database, operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University. 

Climate Sustainability - Total Weight: 25 Points

Average sunlight (~40 points) - We collected data on the annual average sunlight measured for 2016-2020, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network.

Average rain (~20 points) - The annual five-year rain average in each state was picked up from NOAA National Centers for Environmental information, Climate at a Glance: Statewide Mapping, published January 2025. 

Average temperature (~40 points) - The annual five-year temperature average in each state was picked up from NOAA National Centers for Environmental information, Climate at a Glance: Statewide Mapping, published January 2025. 

Legal Regulations - Total Weight: 20 Points

Off-Grid Living Legality (~10 points) - The legal status of off-grid living was checked manually for each state.

Rainwater collection legality (~40 points) -  The legality of rainwater collections was picked up from World Population Review.

Zoning regulations (~30 points) - The spreading of zoning regulations across the states was gathered from The National Zoning Atlas.

Livestock and animal protection regulations (~20 points) - The strength of each state when it comes to animal protection laws was collected from the U.S. State Animal Protection Laws 2024 Ranking Report, released by Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Note: As this category didn’t include data, but a status of if and to what extent these laws support off-grid living, we scored each point keeping in mind that more permissive laws = better scores. To do so, we used a tiered scoring system (e.g., "Encouraged" = 100%, "Legal" = 75%, "Restricted" = 50%)

Safety - Total Weight: 10 points

Crime Rate (~30 points) - The crime rate was deducted from the number of violent crimes in 2023, the most recent year available in the FBI Crime Data Explorer and then divided by the population number in the same year. 

Weather & Climate Disasters (~70 points) - The number of weather and climate disasters events, including droughts, floodings, storms, tropical cyclones, wildfires, winter storms, recorded between 1980–2024 were taken from NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025).

Outdoor Opportunities - Total Weight: 5 Points

Organic farms (~10 Points) - The number of organic farms available in each state was collected from Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) US and data is accurate as of January 2025.

National and local parks (~30 Points) - The number of local and national parks was picked up from World Population Review.

Water areas (30 Points) - The water surface in each state was picked up from the  U.S. Geological Survey, from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Forest coverage (~30 Points) - The forest coverage of each state was picked up from the Forest Inventory and Analysis Fiscal Year 2016 Business Report, released by United States Department of Agriculture.

Conclusion

Living off-grid is a rewarding, but challenging lifestyle that offers independence, sustainability, and a deeper connection with nature, community, and oneself. Our analysis highlights the best states for those considering moving away from a conventional lifestyle, ensuring you make an informed decision based on financial, legal, environmental, safety, and outdoor factors.

If you’re ready to start your off-grid journey, research your preferred states, scout potential locations, and plan ahead for a sustainable and resilient future.

Research done by Andreea Racu.

Data analyzed by Oded Gross

Written by Ivan Slovic.

Featured image by Pauline Bernard.