What Are the Best States for Homesteading?

What Are the Best States for Homesteading?

If you're thinking about starting a homestead, where you choose to settle can make a huge difference. Some states make it easier than others with favorable laws, affordable land, mild climates, and strong homesteading communities.

If you search for the best homesteading states on Google, Quora, or Reddit, you’ll get 50 different answers. I know—I’ve tried. Most answers sound something like, “you can homestead anywhere,” or “start where you are.” That’s not bad advice, but if you’re planning to invest real money in a piece of land, there are some critical things you’ll want to research first.

Everyone will have their own list of “must-haves” when looking for a homestead. Below are the factors I’m personally weighing, along with helpful links to support your own decision-making process.

1. General Cost of Living

One of the main considerations is the overall cost of living in a state. This includes:

• How the cost of groceries, utilities, and gasoline compares to other states.

  • Check out World Population Review's: Cost of Living Index by State 2025

    • It contains a sortable table to compare the cost of living in each state

• The state’s sales tax rate.

  • For easy comparisons, see the Tax Foundation's: State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2025

• The state’s income tax rate.

  • Another useful database for comparing state tax rates is the Tax Foundation's State and Local Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2025

2. Land Affordability and Property Taxes

a. Average Cost per Acre

Understanding the local real estate market is critical. One useful tool is the World Population Review: US Avg Value Per Acre by State. You can sort by overall average value or average value of farmland by itself to see where your money will go the furthest.

Once you know where land is more affordable, check real estate platforms like Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Redfin.com, and land-specific sites such as Land.com or LandWatch.com.

b. Property Taxes

Beyond the land’s purchase price, factor in ongoing property tax costs. Ask:

• What are the property taxes like in the state and county you’re considering?

• Are there homestead exemptions?

A good resource to check is: TaxFoundation's: Property Tax by State and County.

c. Government Incentives and Grants

Some states and counties offer financial incentives or grants for homesteaders and small farms. Search state government websites for state specific farm grants. For example:

For the state of Missouri: MOSourceLink – Grants and Loans for Agriculture

Another useful tool I've run across is from the Community Alliance with Family Farmers. They provide an available grants database that can be filtered and sorted. It can be found here:

The CAFF Available Grants Board

3. Quality of the Land

Consider the condition and fertility of the land. Will it support your intended crops and livestock?

A helpful resource is the US Forest Service Soil Fertility Map (PDF), which highlights areas with naturally fertile soil.

How about access to water in the area? Is the water table sufficient for your household and livestock?

4. General Safety of the Area

Make sure you understand the potential risks in any area you’re considering:

• Is the area prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires?

• Are there nuisance animals or venomous snakes that could threaten pets or livestock?

For instance, I seriously considered homesteading in the state of Alabama due to its low cost of living, but reconsidered after learning about the presence of alligators and multiple types of venomous snakes—even in the northern parts of the state.

5. Climate and Growing Conditions

A good climate can significantly extend your growing season and reduce reliance on energy-intensive solutions like greenhouses.

Consider:

• Annual rainfall

• Overall number of growing days

You can find average frost dates by zip code on Almanac.com’s Growing Season Tool.

6. Political and Cultural Environment

Every state has its own political and cultural leanings, which may or may not align with your lifestyle preferences. For example:

• Does the state support homeschooling or school voucher programs?

• Are local communities welcoming to small farms and homesteads?

• Are there state-level regulations that could make it harder to live off-grid or raise livestock?

7. Access to Amenities and Community Resources

Even the most dedicated homesteader needs access to life beyond the homestead. Consider:

• Proximity to a job market (if you’ll work off-homestead)

• Availability of high-speed internet

• Distance to a major airport for travel or family visits

• Access to natural attractions for recreation and inspiration

States That Stand Out for Homesteading

Based on our research so far, these states consistently show up as top contenders for homesteaders:

Tennessee

Why it’s great: Affordable land, long growing season, and low property taxes
Pros: No state income tax, abundant rainfall, supportive rural communities
Watch out for: High humidity and pest pressure in some areas

Missouri

Why it’s great: One of the lowest costs of living in the U.S.
Pros: Minimal rural building codes, excellent for off-grid living and livestock
Watch out for: Tornadoes and harsh winters in the north

Idaho

Why it’s great: Strong agricultural roots and low population density
Pros: Large parcels available, low regulation, active homesteading community
Watch out for: Cold winters and rising property costs near cities

Kentucky

Why it’s great: Mild climate and fertile land
Pros: Low land prices, supportive of homeschooling, good soil
Watch out for: Infrastructure may be limited in some areas

Texas

Why it’s great: Expansive rural land and relaxed land-use rules
Pros: Strong personal freedom laws, solar power potential
Watch out for: Water scarcity in the west, extreme summer heat

Kansas

Why it’s great: Plenty of affordable open land
Pros: Great for wind and solar, low population density
Watch out for: Strong winds, cold winters, and fewer local services

Arkansas

Why it’s great: Low land prices and long growing season
Pros: Light regulation, good access to water
Watch out for: High humidity and limited rural job opportunities

North Carolina

Why it’s great: Geographic diversity and moderate climate
Pros: Good for small farms, strong local food markets
Watch out for: Pressure from development in fast-growing areas

Oklahoma

Why it’s great: Fertile land and agricultural tradition
Pros: Homestead-friendly regulations, affordable property
Watch out for: Tornadoes and soil challenges in some regions

What to Consider When Choosing a State

In summary, before investing in land for your long-term family homestead, make sure to evaluate:

• General cost of living

• Affordability of land and property taxes

• Quality of land and water

• General Safety of the Area

• Climate and growing season

• Political/Cultural environment

• Access to Amenities and Community Resources

Final Thoughts

The best state for homesteading depends on your unique priorities, budget, and long-term goals. Each state has pros and cons—be sure to do your due diligence before you make a purchase decision. I hope that you'll find some of the resources mentioned above to be helpful in your Homestead journey.

Would you add anything to our list? Send us your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you.