In late 2024, a company born on ABC’s Shark Tank released a report about the best states for homesteaders for anyone dreaming of their own self-sufficient plot somewhere. Researchers at insect repellent company First Saturday Lime looked at “suitability for sustainable living” across the 50 states. The report’s outcome lists the top states for “homesteading and gardening.”
The report took stock of all factors, such as farmland costs, community interests, and climate, ranking the states in descending order. This dynamic should be attractive for anybody beginning in the homesteading world. The question is: Which state wins overall? Spoiler alert: It isn’t Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or New Jersey—which came last.
Texas
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Considering its size, it’s hardly surprising that the Lone Star State ranks first. What’s more, the state boasts 5,137 hours of sunlight per year, fourth overall, according to the World Population Review.
Subsistence living enthusiasts are at a clear advantage in Texas. While Texas doesn’t have the cheapest dollar-per-acre cost, it does get a superior ranking for the number of ranches and farms on the market. Those big old Texas skies might be a dream backdrop for new homesteaders.
Oregon
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There was a time when Oregonian homesteaders could get a portion of land for free, according to Historic Oregon City. “The single most important impetus for coming to Oregon was the lure of free land,” writes contributor Bethany Nemec. Furthermore, Oregon lays claim to arguably the greatest off-grid living county in the USA — Wasco County, which was featured on Netflix’s Wild Wild West.
In 2025, Oregon comes second due to many factors, not least its diverse climate. The Western portion gets much of the rain, leaving Central and Eastern Oregon basking in sunshine most of the year. The community force is strong with this one — Oregon comes first for the search term “community garden near me.”
Washington
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The upper-left corner of the Contiguous United States, Washington, is synonymous with outdoors — and frequent Sasquatch activity. Those who can brave Bigfoot will find the official third-best state, according to the study.
Furthermore, Washington comes with the highest “favorable climate” ranking, no doubt thanks to its contrasting topography. Homesteaders who choose the evergreen state can expect up to 300 sun days per year in Southeastern Washington — especially in the Tri-Cities region. Of course, year-long sunlight is essential for growing.
Vermont
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Coming third overall for internet search interest per capita and second for gardens listed in Yelp per capita is Vermont. The Green Mountain State shows in its nickname how outdoors-friendly the place is, but it may also point to its agrarian past.
Vermont History reveals how, for over 150 years, the state’s towns took responsibility for impoverished residents via “poor farms.” Until 1968, Vermonters who had fallen on hard times could seek refuge and pay off debts on farms across the state. In the modern ‘20s, farmers, gardeners, and homesteaders alike can enjoy the (hopefully) debt-free version.
Delaware
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Some may find surprise in seeing Delaware make the top five spot, but it isn’t only about finding wild lands. Delaware’s farmland acreage comes at a high cost, though it still retains the highest rank for gardens listed on Yelp. The state’s climate also pushes it into 13th overall in the country.
One must be careful, therefore, to choose their plot carefully. LandSearch puts the cost of agricultural land at $37,000 per acre — only Hawaii, Rhode Island, and New Jersey are higher. In 2019, Department of Agriculture statistician Dale Hawks called Delaware “A small state that is big in agriculture.”
Arizona
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While the Grand Canyon State has always attracted certain kinds of wild space lovers, so homesteaders will fit right in. Of course, this mostly desert state presents challenges to all comers, not least with access to water.
Meanwhile, Arizona ranks in the top three for available farms and ranches for sale and sits seventh overall for available acreage. “You’ll need to do some research into the types of crops you can grow in desert heat,” reports the Home Biogas website. Its guide to homesteading includes warnings of “uncomfortable, if not unbearable” summer heat.
Wyoming
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Many of us dream of escaping to a place like Wyoming, which promises wide open spaces and beautiful skies. Yet, some may not realize the flat, wild, windswept expanse that makes up most of the state. I spoke to Waddle and Cluck founder and seasoned homesteader Lindsey Chastain, who is a flat land aficionado when it comes to planting.
“For gardening, look for large areas of flat ground or space to put a greenhouse,” she says. “For animals, consider the space and shelters they need for a comfortable life.” Chastain adds that it is important to set goals before starting any new homesteading life — even those with limited space-based projects. “You can truly homestead anywhere,” she says. “Just plan for the space you have now, learn as much as you can, and grow when you are ready.”
Montana
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There is little surprise the Rocky Mountain State features on the list, considering its 3,000,000 or so wilderness acres. The Big Sky State ranks high on search lists and attracts homesteaders for its low acreage cost and number of acres for sale.
Montana’s beauty is there for all to see in the hit show Yellowstone, whose success now attracts huge numbers of filming location chasers. Meanwhile, homesteaders can expect the second-best farmland cost per acre, according to the study.
Hawaii
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It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Hawaii makes the homesteading and gardening top 10 because it has everything a grower needs. Planta Greenhouses’ grower’s guide states, “Hawaii offers a tropical paradise for gardeners with its lush landscapes and year-round warmth.”
Being a tropical archipelago with volcanic soil in places has its benefits — you can grow a wide range of species. In addition, the state is literally off the scale with its unique USDA hardiness zone: Zone 11. Of course, there are drawbacks — increased pest activity, soil consistency, and exposure to the Central Pacific Ocean’s salty air. Nonetheless, the region scores a top-six ranking for climate.
Colorado
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Coming in 10th place is Colorado, chosen by many homesteaders for its price-per-acre of farmland and total acreage for sale. The state has a good blend of sunshine and precipitation due to a half-mountainous and half-Great Plains topography.
Sam Schipani of Hello Homestead wrote about the state in 2019, encouraging newcomers to give it a go. Schiapani says Colorado is “cheap and plentiful, livestock-friendly, and offers opportunities to live off-grid.” She even mentions a “Beginner Farmer Loan Program” offered by the Colorado Agricultural Development Authority.
Read more:
Dreaming of a Homestead? Four Things You Need to Know First
How to Get Started Homesteading: 3 Simple Steps for a More Self-Sufficient Life
