Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LawnStarter.
Ever want to get away from it all? Live off the land, drink rainwater, and read by candlelight?
Some states are better for a life lived among the trees.
To help you find your own remote slice of heaven, LawnStarter ranked 2023’s Best States to Live off the Grid.
We compared the 50 states based on 23 key factors, such as the cost of farmland, legality of self-generated utilities, and availability of renewable energy. We also considered indicators like climate, phone connectivity, and access to rural hospitals.
See how your state fared below, followed by our assessment of the rankings and expert tips on unplugging from society.
1. Iowa
- Overall Score: 67.12
- Feasibility Rank: 12
- Infrastructure Rank: 2
- Affordability Rank: 31
- Climate Rank: 27
- Safety Rank: 1
2. Texas
- Overall Score: 65.58
- Feasibility Rank: 8
- Infrastructure Rank: 1
- Affordability Rank: 25
- Climate Rank: 28
- Safety Rank: 20
3. Kentucky
- Overall Score: 63.36
- Feasibility Rank: 20
- Infrastructure Rank: 30
- Affordability Rank: 30
- Climate Rank: 12
- Safety Rank: 2
4. Minnesota
- Overall Score: 61.25
- Feasibility Rank: 9
- Infrastructure Rank: 20
- Affordability Rank: 18
- Climate Rank: 44
- Safety Rank: 4
5. Oklahoma
- Overall Score: 61.09
- Feasibility Rank: 11
- Infrastructure Rank: 9
- Affordability Rank: 7
- Climate Rank: 19
- Safety Rank: 17
6. Nebraska
- Overall Score: 61.00
- Feasibility Rank: 6
- Infrastructure Rank: 19
- Affordability Rank: 24
- Climate Rank: 36
- Safety Rank: 5
7. Kansas
- Overall Score: 60.58
- Feasibility Rank: 34
- Infrastructure Rank: 11
- Affordability Rank: 6
- Climate Rank: 29
- Safety Rank: 3
8. North Dakota
- Overall Score: 59.54
- Feasibility Rank: 4
- Infrastructure Rank: 10
- Affordability Rank: 4
- Climate Rank: 48
- Safety Rank: 13
9. Illinois
- Overall Score: 58.90
- Feasibility Rank: 16
- Infrastructure Rank: 12
- Affordability Rank: 39
- Climate Rank: 33
- Safety Rank: 6
10. Montana
- Overall Score: 58.50
- Feasibility Rank: 3
- Infrastructure Rank: 5
- Affordability Rank: 2
- Climate Rank: 49
- Safety Rank: 25
11. Missouri
- Overall Score: 58.25
- Feasibility Rank: 14
- Infrastructure Rank: 35
- Affordability Rank: 19
- Climate Rank: 20
- Safety Rank: 10
12. Wyoming
- Overall Score: 57.84
- Feasibility Rank: 2
- Infrastructure Rank: 16
- Affordability Rank: 1
- Climate Rank: 43
- Safety Rank: 26
13. South Dakota
- Overall Score: 57.74
- Feasibility Rank: 22
- Infrastructure Rank: 6
- Affordability Rank: 25
- Climate Rank: 41
- Safety Rank: 11
14. Wisconsin
- Overall Score: 57.19
- Feasibility Rank: 17
- Infrastructure Rank: 32
- Affordability Rank: 28
- Climate Rank: 38
- Safety Rank: 7
15. Vermont
- Overall Score: 56.87
- Feasibility Rank: 19
- Infrastructure Rank: 4
- Affordability Rank: 46
- Climate Rank: 42
- Safety Rank: 9
Methodology
For each of the 50 states, we gathered publicly available data. We then grouped factors into five categories: Feasibility, Infrastructure, Affordability, Climate, and Safety.
Next, we calculated weighted scores for each state in each category.
Finally, we averaged the scores for each state across all categories.
The state that earned the highest average score was ranked “Best” (No. 1).