Living off the grid is not illegal in the United States, but many aspects that would allow one to live off-grid are strongly regulated or outright banned. Health department regulations, electrical grid networks, and various rules can really dampen off-grid ambitions. This is especially complex in urban areas and more affluent neighborhoods. Rural areas are best suited for off-grid living.
Which 15 US states are the best (and worst) for off-grid life? The ranking is calculated by measuring the cost of living, the legal index of each state (measured by the 'freedom' category), the existence of an off-grid community, and the average cost per acre. Scores are attributed to each category with '0' representing the lowest and '10' representing the highest.
Click on to find out which states make the cut.