Which States Have the Most Freedoms?

Based on a ranking of over 200 categories ranging from fiscal responsibility to personal freedoms and regulatory policies, Florida offers its citizens the most freedom among all 50 states in 2018.

New Hampshire, Indiana, Colorado, and Nevada round out the top 5 in the latest Freedom in the 50 States project created by the Cato Institute. North Dakota made the biggest jump since the previous overall rankings were released in 2016, moving up 12 spots to #6. Meanwhile, Vermont joined New Jersey, California, Hawaii, and New York in 2018 as the bottom 5 states for overall freedom.

“We ground our conception of freedom on an individual rights framework,” the project’s website states in an attempt to define freedom. “In our view, individuals should be allowed to dispose of their lives, liberties, and property as they see fit, so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others.”

The project also allows individuals to personalize the rankings based on your own personal values. For example, education topics included curriculum control and homeschool teacher qualifications, as well as recordkeeping, notification, and standardized testing requirements. Arizona ranked the highest in educational freedom, while North Dakota came in last.

Educational Freedom Rankings Top 10
1. Arizona
2. Florida
3. Indiana
4. Georgia
5. Louisiana
6. North Carolina
7. Virginia
8. Wisconsin
9. New Hampshire
10. Rhode Island

Educational Freedom Rankings Bottom 5
46. Maryland
47. Nebraska
48. Michigan
49. Washington
50. North Dakota