Tyler Robinson

How Many People Live Off-Grid in the US?

No agency counts off-grid Americans. The most-cited estimates (~250,000 people, ~180,000 families) are old and unsourced. Here's what we can actually measure.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in California?

Off-grid living is legal in California and the sun is excellent, but our data ranks it #45: heavy permitting, wildfire risk, and tough terrain.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Hawaii?

Off-grid living is legal in Hawaii, and the Big Island's Puna is the cheap entry. But our data ranks it #47: catchment water, lava-zone risk, pricey.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Delaware?

The off-grid lists overlook Delaware, but our data ranks it #12: rural Sussex County is water-rich and great for growing. The catch is flood-prone land.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Rhode Island?

The off-grid lists rank Rhode Island dead last, but our data ranks it #17 of 50. The rural northwest is water-rich; the real catch is scarce, pricey land.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Massachusetts?

Off-grid lists rank Massachusetts near last, but our data ranks it #16 of 50: Western MA is water-rich and low-hazard. The catch is Title 5 septic and cost.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Connecticut?

The off-grid lists rank Connecticut near last, but our data ranks it #11: the rural Northwest Hills are water-rich and wooded. The catch is town rules and cost.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Vermont?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Vermont, and our data ranks it #20. Act 250 mostly skips a single home; the catch is weak winter solar and a short season.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in North Dakota?

Off-grid living is legal and lightly regulated across rural North Dakota: cheap, flat, permissive Plains. The catch is the short, brutally cold growing season.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in New Jersey?

It sounds wrong, but our data ranks rural New Jersey #22 of 50: the NW Skylands are water-rich and wooded. The catch is the Pinelands and Highlands rules.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Maryland?

Off-grid living is legal in rural Maryland, and our data ranks it #28 on water. The catch is regulation: county zoning and the Chesapeake Critical Area rules.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Illinois?

Forget Chicago: our data ranks rural Illinois #14 of 50. Downstate is flat, water-rich, and great for growing, with cheap permissive land in the south.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in New York?

Off-grid living is legal across rural New York, far from the city: water-rich and cheap upstate. The catch is weak solar and the Adirondack Park land-use rules.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in South Dakota?

Off-grid living is legal and lightly regulated across rural South Dakota, an off-grid favorite. But our data ranks it #34: west of the Missouri, water is thin.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Nebraska?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Nebraska, which sits on the Ogallala Aquifer: cheap, flat, sunny, permissive. The catch is the short western season.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Louisiana?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Louisiana, with water and a long season, but our data ranks it #32 on flood and hurricane risk.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Mississippi?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across rural Mississippi, with a top-tier growing season and cheap land. The catch is storms and heavy clay.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Wisconsin?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Wisconsin, with water-perfect ground and cheap Northwoods land. The catch is the climate: weak winter solar, short season.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Pennsylvania?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Pennsylvania, and our data ranks it #19 of 50: water-perfect, low-hazard, with permissive townships. The catch is the sun.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Minnesota?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Minnesota, with abundant water and flat, buildable land. The catch is the winter: weak solar and a short season.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Utah?

Off-grid living is legal in rural Utah, but our data ranks it #49 of 50. Water is the reason: it is one of the driest states, and a well needs a water right.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Nevada?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Nevada, with cheap land and strong sun, but our data ranks it #42 because it is the driest state. Water is the catch.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Washington?

Off-grid living is legal in rural Washington, but our data ranks it #36: the wet west has the worst solar in the country and well rules are tight.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Maine?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across rural Maine, with permissive land rules and water-rich ground. The catch is the short, cold, cloudy season.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Georgia?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across rural Georgia, and our data ranks it #13 of 50 on water and a long season. The catch is the hurricane coast.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Alabama?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of Alabama, with cheap land and a long season. Our data ranks it #38 on Dixie Alley tornadoes.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Michigan?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Michigan, with abundant water and low disaster risk. The catch is the sun: snowy winters give it weak solar.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in South Carolina?

Off-grid living is legal across rural South Carolina, with strong water and a long season, but our data ranks it #27 on coastal hurricane and flood risk.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Alaska?

Off-grid living is legal and barely regulated across Alaska, but our data ranks it #50 of 50. The law is the easiest in America; the land is the hardest.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Florida?

Off-grid living is legal in rural Florida, with heavy rain and strong sun, but our data ranks it #41 on hurricanes, flood, and a strict building code.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Oregon?

Off-grid living is legal in rural Oregon, but our data ranks it #46 of 50: the east is arid and the green west is locked by strict land-use law. What to check.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Kansas?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of Kansas, and our data ranks it #5: cheap, flat, water-rich. The catches are tornadoes and the dry west.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Virginia?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Virginia, with perfect water. Our data ranks it #25, below the lists, on mountain buildability and coastal hazard.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in West Virginia?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of West Virginia, with perfect water and some of the cheapest land anywhere. The catch is the slope.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Ohio?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Ohio, and our parcel data ranks it #8 of 50 on water and food, far above the off-grid lists. The catch is township zoning.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in North Carolina?

Off-grid living is legal across rural North Carolina, with perfect water, but our data ranks it #43 on hurricane, flood, and hard-to-build land.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Colorado?

Off-grid living is legal across rural Colorado, but it caps rainwater collection, water rights are strict, and wells run expensive. What to check.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Iowa?

Off-grid living is legal across most of Iowa, with the best soil and water in the country. The catches: tornadoes, pricey farmland, and strict septic rules.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in New Hampshire?

Off-grid living is legal across New Hampshire, with 16 zoning-free towns and perfect water. The catches: a strict statewide building code and high property tax.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Wyoming?

Off-grid living is legal and lightly regulated across Wyoming, but our parcel data ranks it #37. The law is free; the land is the third-driest in the country.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Indiana?

Off-grid living is legal across most of Indiana, and our parcel data ranks it #2 on water and food. The catch: a statewide building code and modest winters.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Oklahoma?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of Oklahoma, with cheap land and dependable water. The main catch is tornado and earthquake risk.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Montana?

Off-grid living is legal and lightly regulated across Montana, but our parcel data ranks it #40. The catch the rankings underplay is the climate and water.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Kentucky?

Off-grid living is legal across most of Kentucky, with perfect water and cheap land. The catch: state law ties electricity to an approved septic system.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Idaho?

Off-grid living is legal and lightly regulated across Idaho, but our parcel data ranks it #48. The law is easy; the land, water, and season are hard.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Arkansas?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of Arkansas, our top-scoring state for water and food. The main catch is tornado and earthquake risk.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Missouri?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of Missouri, with cheap Ozark land and dependable water. The catches are New Madrid quakes and tornadoes.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in New Mexico?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of New Mexico, with cheap land and top-tier solar. The catch the rankings underplay is water.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Arizona?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of Arizona, with unbeatable solar. The catch the rankings underplay is water. What to check.

I Grew Up Living Off the Land. That's Why I Built GoOffGrid.

I grew up off-grid on Kauaʻi, growing our food and reading the ocean. Here's why I built GoOffGrid to help others find land that can support that life.

By Tyler Robinson

What ‘Best States for Off-Grid Living’ Lists Get Wrong

Popular off-grid state rankings reward cheap land, sun, and loose rules, and under-weight what sinks most parcels: reliable water. Our data reorders the map.

By Tyler Robinson

How Do You Get Water on Off-Grid Land?

Most off-grid homes run on a well, rainwater, or hauled water. Here is how much you need, what each costs, and how to check a parcel before you buy.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Texas?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across Texas. The catch isn't the law, it's water. What to check on zoning and wells before you make an offer.

Is It Legal to Live Off-Grid in Tennessee?

Off-grid living and homesteading are legal across most of Tennessee, but permissive zoning doesn't mean no rules. Check septic, wells, and codes before you buy.

What to Check Before Buying Off-Grid Land: A 5-Point Checklist

Before buying off-grid land, verify five things: legal road access, water availability, zoning rules, natural hazard exposure, and buildable terrain. Here's how to check each one before you spend money on a site visit.