The most conservative states in America.
Quick answer: The most conservative states in America in 2026 are Wyoming, West Virginia, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, South Dakota, and Tennessee, ranked by their 2024 presidential results and confirmed by the Cook Partisan Voting Index. All ten voted Republican for president by 29 points or more in 2024, and all but Kentucky have a Republican governor and legislature.
Which states are the most conservative, and how do you measure it? Election results, Cook PVI scores, governors, and state legislatures, all in one place. And when you have picked yours, we connect you with a vetted agent there. Our partner agents pay us a referral fee, so our referral service comes at no additional cost to you, and your agent represents you under their own separate agreement.
Approximately 67% of Wyoming residents identify as Republican or hold Republican-leaning views.
How is conservative defined?
Which states in the United States are more conservative? How is conservative politics defined? The principles of conservative politics revolve around a smaller, less regulated government and the preservation of the ideologies and laws outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. There is a resistance to swift change and a strong conviction that traditional values, as expressed in the Bible, should be upheld. Furthermore, conservatives also prioritize the significance of a free-market economy and unrestricted trade. The Republican Party is recognized as the conservative political party in the United States.
In contrast to liberal politics, conservative politics holds opposing views and places less emphasis on social justice, access to healthcare, economic regulation, and social equality. Some of the most liberal states in the U.S. include Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California, according to the World Population Review. The Democratic Party is widely recognized as the liberal political party in the United States. Most people in the U.S. identify as either Democratic or Republican, or as liberal or conservative.
States considered to be conservative are those where the majority of the population holds conservative beliefs and consistently vote for legislation that aligns with those beliefs. These states often have low taxes, less strict gun laws, high levels of religious participation, and minimal business regulations. These states are also commonly referred to as “red” states. Wyoming is the most conservative state in the United States by every common measure: it gave the Republican ticket 71.6% of its vote in 2024, the highest share of any state, and carries the nation’s highest Cook PVI at R+23. Wyoming’s tax rates are generally low, including no state income tax, and the state has voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election since 1968.
Conservative states as seen from the 2024 election
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Take the 2-minute quizMost traditional states in America
Below are the ten most conservative states in America, ranked by how decisively they voted Republican in the 2024 presidential election. Every one of them also carries a Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI) of roughly R+15 or higher, meaning it votes at least 15 points more Republican than the nation as a whole. The Cook PVI compares a state’s share of the Republican and Democratic presidential vote to the national average: if the country voted 48% Republican and a state voted 60% Republican, that state would score about R+12.
Wyoming71.6% in 2024
Wyoming is the most conservative state in the United States, and the 2024 election widened the gap: the Republican ticket won 71.6% of the vote, the highest share any presidential candidate has ever received in the state and the first time any nominee topped 70% in any state in decades. Wyoming has no state income tax, low taxes across the board, and has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968. Cook rates it R+23, the highest PVI in the nation.
West Virginia70.0% in 2024
West Virginia has gone from a Democratic stronghold to the second most conservative state in the country in a single generation. Republicans carried every county for the fourth consecutive presidential election in 2024, and the 70.0% share was the highest any party has ever received in a West Virginia presidential race. Republicans also hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers and the governor’s office.
Idaho66.9% in 2024
Idaho keeps getting more conservative even as it grows, thanks in large part to families relocating from California, Oregon, and Washington. The Republican ticket won 66.9% in 2024, up from 63.8% in 2020 and 59.3% in 2016. The state has not backed a Democratic presidential nominee since 1964 and pairs Mountain West scenery with constitutional carry, light regulation, and one of the strongest Republican legislatures in the country.
North Dakota67.0% in 2024
North Dakota’s 2024 result was its strongest for any presidential candidate since 1952, with the Republican ticket winning 67.0% of the vote and a 36-point margin. The state has not voted Democratic for president since 1964, and Republicans hold overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the legislature. Low taxes, an energy-driven economy, and deeply rooted rural values keep it near the top of every conservative ranking.
Oklahoma66.2% in 2024
The Republican ticket carried every single county in Oklahoma in 2024, as it has in every presidential election since 2004, finishing with 66.2% of the vote. Republicans have now won 16 of the last 17 presidential elections in the state. Oklahoma offers a low cost of living, strong Second Amendment protections, and a Republican trifecta in state government.
Arkansas64.2% in 2024
Arkansas has increased its Republican presidential margin in eight straight elections, a streak no other state can match. The 2024 margin of nearly 31 points was the largest for a Republican in the state since 1972. Under Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the state has cut income taxes and expanded school choice, and it has not backed a Democratic presidential nominee since 1996.
Kentucky64.5% in 2024
Kentucky delivered its best Republican presidential result of the modern era in 2024, with 64.5% of the vote. Although the state has a Democratic governor, the legislature is overwhelmingly Republican and holds a veto-proof majority. Kentucky has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since 1996 and continues to trend more conservative with each election.
Alabama64.6% in 2024
Alabama voted Republican for the twelfth consecutive presidential election in 2024, giving the Republican ticket 64.6% of the vote, and the Democratic nominee received her party’s lowest share in the state since 1972. Alabama has one of the highest rates of church attendance in the country, a cost of living well below the national average, and a Republican governor and legislature.
South Dakota63.4% in 2024
South Dakota has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since 1964 and gave the Republican ticket 63.4% of the vote and a 29-point margin in 2024. Nearly nine of every ten seats in the state legislature are held by Republicans, the second-highest share in the country. The state has no income tax and consistently ranks among the freest states for business and personal liberty.
Tennessee64.2% in 2024
Tennessee gave the Republican ticket 64.2% of the vote in 2024, the fourth-highest Republican share in state history. With no state income tax, a booming economy, and some of the most faith-centered communities in America, Tennessee has become one of the most popular destinations for conservative families leaving blue states. Republicans hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers and the governor’s office.
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Conservative states by governors
State Governors set the tone for the policies the people want to see enacted by the State Legislatures and Republican governors often indicate a more conservative approach to policies. Below is a list of States with Republican and Democrat governors, updated for 2026.
Conservative states by state legislatures
State Legislatures are composed of Senates and Houses to serve as the bodies of representation for the 50 republics that make up the United States. Nebraska is the lone exception with a unicameral legislature. These are the men and women that represent the people of their districts to craft the policies that will impact the citizens of their State on a daily basis. It is here that conservative legislators are fighting hardest to enact conservative policies that make their States so attractive both fiscally and culturally. Below are lists of States with Republican and Democrat Senates and Houses.
* Alaska’s chambers hold Republican numerical majorities but are governed by multipartisan coalitions. ** A majority of senators in Nebraska’s unicameral, officially nonpartisan legislature identify as Republican. ~ The Minnesota House is evenly split and operating under a power sharing agreement.
Top 10 most Republican states in 2026
People search for republican states and conservative states interchangeably, but the cleanest scoreboard is the ballot box. Ranked by 2024 presidential margin, these are the ten most Republican states in America, and every one of them is a place our agents serve.
Wyoming
The most Republican state in the nation, by about 46 points. No income tax, the lowest population in the country, and a live-and-let-live culture to match.
West Virginia
A roughly 42-point margin caps one of the fastest party realignments in American history: solid blue a generation ago, deep red today.
Idaho
About 36 points, and the destination our movers ask about most in the Mountain West: low taxes, strong families, and government that leaves you alone.
North Dakota
Around 36 points, powered by energy country: steady jobs, low costs, and communities where a handshake still means something.
Oklahoma
About 34 points, with every single county voting Republican in 2024, again. Affordable land and unapologetic values.
Arkansas
Roughly 31 points, one of the most affordable states in the country, and Ozark country living that keeps drawing families out of the cities.
Kentucky
About 31 points at the presidential level, with horse country, low costs, and small towns that never stopped being traditional.
Alabama
Roughly 31 points, church-anchored communities, and some of the lowest property taxes in America.
South Dakota
About 30 points, no state income tax, and a state government that treats budget restraint as a founding principle.
Tennessee
Rounding out the top 10 republican states at about 30 points, with no income tax and the strongest inbound migration on this list.
The best republican states to live in are not always the reddest: jobs, prices, and schools matter as much as margins, which is why families often land in Tennessee, Idaho, or Texas rather than the top of this list. And the biggest state to move from battleground to reliably Republican? Florida. See our full breakdown: Is Florida a red state?
Best states for conservative families
For families, choosing a conservative state involves more than election results. The best places to live for conservative families combine parental rights in education, published public-safety data, a reasonable cost of living, and neighbors who share your values.
School choice and parental rights
Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Arkansas have all expanded school choice through education savings accounts and scholarship programs, giving parents real control over where and how their children learn.
Homeschool freedom
Texas, Idaho, and Oklahoma are among the most homeschool-friendly states in the country.
No state income tax
Texas, Florida, Tennessee, South Dakota, and Wyoming let families keep more of every paycheck.
Safety and community
Suburban and small-Compare public-safety data by state and city: Idaho reported about 736 property crimes per 100,000 residents in 2024 — the nation’s lowest state property-crime rate — compared with a U.S. property-crime rate of about 1,760 per 100,000 (FBI). Individual city rates vary, so compare published local statistics when evaluating a move.
Where do most families land? Texas and Florida lead for jobs, schools, and family-sized housing, while Tennessee offers a strong mix of traditional values, low taxes, and four-season living. If your family is weighing a move, our team connects you with vetted conservative agents who know the family-friendly neighborhoods in every red state.
The honest part: rankings measure votes, not your life
A PVI score tells you how a state votes. It does not tell you about your commute, your kids’ school, your church, or your budget. The most conservative state on paper is not automatically the right state for your family, and plenty of families thrive in red counties inside purple states. That is what a conversation with a local agent is for.
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Take our free two-minute quiz and get matched to the conservative states that best fit your family, budget, and lifestyle.
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Is your state red? The full breakdown
Considering a specific state? These guides break down the voter data, election history, and county-level political makeup, updated for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most conservative state in the United States?
Wyoming is currently ranked the most conservative state, with a Cook PVI of R+23 and 71.6% of its 2024 presidential vote going Republican, the highest share of any state. A large majority of residents identify as Republican or hold Republican-leaning views, and the state has voted Republican in every presidential election since the 1950s except 1964.
What makes a state conservative?
States considered conservative are those where the majority of the population holds conservative beliefs and consistently votes for legislation that aligns with those beliefs. They often have low taxes, less strict gun laws, high levels of religious participation, and minimal business regulations. These states are commonly referred to as red states.
What is the Cook Partisan Voting Index?
The Cook PVI compares the average proportion of Democratic and Republican votes in a state during presidential elections to the national average. For instance, if the US had a 48% Republican vote and a state had a 60% Republican vote, the state’s PVI score would be R+12.
How many states have Republican governors in 2026?
26 of the 50 states have Republican governors, and Republicans hold majorities in 30 state senates and 28 state houses.
Is Florida a red state?
Yes. Florida is solidly Republican. It voted for Donald Trump in both 2020 and 2024 (by about 13 points), Republicans hold the governorship and supermajorities in both chambers of the legislature, and registered Republicans now outnumber Democrats statewide. Once a classic swing state, Florida has shifted firmly red over the past decade. See our guide to moving to Florida.
Is Tennessee a red state?
Yes, strongly. Tennessee is one of the most reliably Republican states in the country. It backed Donald Trump by roughly 30 points in 2024, and Republicans hold the governor's office along with supermajorities in both the state House and Senate. See our guide to moving to Tennessee.
Is Georgia a red state?
Mostly, and it's the closest call of the four. Georgia is Republican-leaning at the state level, with Republicans holding all statewide executive offices and both legislative chambers, but at the presidential level it's a genuine battleground: it went to Joe Biden in 2020 and to Donald Trump in 2024, each by narrow margins, and both of its U.S. Senators are Democrats. Reliably red in how it governs, purple in how it votes for president. See our guide to moving to Georgia.
Is North Carolina a red state?
It leans Republican, but it's divided. North Carolina backed Donald Trump in 2020 and 2024, and Republicans control the state legislature, yet voters elected a Democratic governor, Josh Stein, who took office in January 2025. It's best described as a Republican-leaning battleground with split control of state government. See our guide to moving to North Carolina.
Is Texas a red state?
Yes. Texas is a Republican stronghold and the largest red state in the country. Donald Trump carried it by a wide margin in 2024, and Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the legislature. A few large cities like Austin lean Democratic, but statewide Texas remains solidly red. See our guide to moving to Texas.
Is South Carolina a red state?
Yes. South Carolina is reliably Republican and hasn't backed a Democrat for president since 1976. Donald Trump carried it comfortably in 2024, and Republicans hold the governor's office and supermajorities in the legislature. See our guide to moving to South Carolina.
Is Idaho a red state?
Yes, strongly. Idaho is one of the most Republican states in the country. Donald Trump carried it by one of the widest margins nationwide in 2024, and Republicans hold the governorship and legislative supermajorities. See our guide to moving to Idaho.
Is Wyoming a red state?
Yes, more than any other. Wyoming is the most Republican state in the nation and gave Donald Trump his largest margin of victory in 2024. Republicans control the governorship and hold supermajorities in the legislature. See our guide to moving to Wyoming.
Is Montana a red state?
Yes. Montana is solidly Republican at the state and federal level. Donald Trump carried it comfortably in 2024, the same year the state elected a second Republican U.S. Senator, giving the GOP both Senate seats alongside the governorship and legislature. See our guide to moving to Montana.
Is Missouri a red state?
Yes. Once a national bellwether, Missouri is now reliably Republican. Donald Trump carried it comfortably in 2024, and Republicans hold the governorship and supermajorities in both legislative chambers. See our guide to moving to Missouri.
Is Alabama a red state?
Yes. Alabama is one of the most reliably Republican states and hasn't voted Democratic for president since 1976. Donald Trump carried it by a wide margin in 2024, and Republicans control the governorship and legislative supermajorities. See our guide to moving to Alabama.
Is Utah a red state?
Yes, though with an independent streak. Utah is reliably Republican, with Donald Trump winning comfortably in 2024 and Republicans holding the governorship and legislative supermajorities. Its conservatism leans traditional and libertarian, and it has occasionally shown resistance to national party figures. See our guide to moving to Utah.
Is Oklahoma a red state?
Yes, emphatically. Oklahoma is one of the reddest states in the country. Donald Trump won all 77 of its counties in 2024, as in 2020 and 2016, and Republicans hold the governorship and legislative supermajorities. See our guide to moving to Oklahoma.
Is Louisiana a red state?
Yes. Louisiana is solidly Republican today. Donald Trump carried it by a wide margin in 2024, and it became a fully Republican-controlled state government in January 2024 when a Republican governor took office alongside Republican legislative majorities, after years under a Democratic governor. See our guide to moving to Louisiana.
Is Arizona a red state?
Not reliably. Arizona is a genuine battleground. Donald Trump carried it in 2024 after Joe Biden narrowly won it in 2020, and while Republicans control the state legislature, the governor is a Democrat. It's one of the most closely divided states in the country. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
Is Nevada a red state?
No, it's a swing state. Nevada backed Democrats for president for several cycles before Donald Trump carried it in 2024, and its government is divided, with a Republican governor and a Democratic-led legislature. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
Is Pennsylvania a red state?
No, it's a battleground. Pennsylvania went to Donald Trump in 2024 by about four points after Joe Biden won it in 2020, but it has a Democratic governor and closely split government. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
Is Michigan a red state?
No, it's a swing state. Michigan backed Joe Biden in 2020 and Donald Trump in 2024, both by narrow margins. It has a Democratic governor and a closely divided legislature. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
Is Wisconsin a red state?
No, it's one of the closest swing states in the country, decided by razor-thin margins for years. Donald Trump carried it in 2024 after Joe Biden won it in 2020. It has a Democratic governor and a Republican-led legislature. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
Is Ohio a red state?
Yes, increasingly so. Once a classic bellwether, Ohio has trended Republican and backed Donald Trump comfortably in 2024, his third straight win there. Republicans control the governorship and both legislative chambers.
Is Indiana a red state?
Yes. Indiana is reliably Republican. Donald Trump carried it comfortably in 2024, and Republicans hold the governorship and supermajorities in both legislative chambers.
Is Iowa a red state?
Yes, increasingly. Once a swing state, Iowa has shifted Republican over the past decade. Donald Trump carried it in 2024, and Republicans control the governorship and both legislative chambers.
Is Kentucky a red state?
Mostly. Kentucky is solidly Republican at the federal level, backing Donald Trump by a wide margin in 2024, with Republican supermajorities in the legislature. Notably, though, voters have repeatedly elected a Democratic governor, making it a clear example of a red state with a blue chief executive.
Is Virginia a red state?
No, it leans Democratic now. Virginia backed Democrats for president in recent cycles, including 2024, and after the 2025 elections Democrats hold the governorship and both legislative chambers. Once reliably Republican, it has shifted blue over the past two decades. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
Is Oregon a red state?
No. Oregon is one of the more reliably Democratic states, backing Democrats for president for decades, including 2024, with Democrats holding the governorship and both legislative chambers. Its rural east leans conservative, but the state votes blue overall. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
Is Colorado a red state?
No, not anymore. Once a swing state, Colorado has shifted Democratic and backed Democrats for president in 2024, with Democrats holding the governorship and both chambers. Republicans stay competitive in rural areas, but the state now leans blue. Looking to relocate somewhere reliably red? See how we can help.
What are the most Republican states?
The most reliably Republican states include Wyoming, Oklahoma, West Virginia, North Dakota, Idaho, and Utah, which pair Republican governors with Republican-controlled legislatures and consistent Republican presidential majorities. As of 2026, 23 states have a fully Republican state government.
How many states are Republican?
As of 2026, Republicans hold a governing trifecta, meaning the governorship and both legislative chambers, in 23 states, compared with 16 Democratic trifectas and 11 states with divided government. In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump carried 31 states.
Which state is the most Republican?
Wyoming is the most Republican state in the country. It gave Donald Trump his largest margin of victory in 2024 and has a Republican governor and Republican supermajorities in its state legislature.
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Explore Every State
See how each state votes and where conservatives are relocating. Each guide breaks down the politics, taxes, and best places to land.
Explore Our State Relocation Guides
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- where to move in conservative South Carolina
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- moving to conservative Florida
- conservative communities in Idaho
- conservative North Texas suburbs
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- conservative towns in Montana
- leaving California — the conservative’s guide to where to go
- moving to Texas from California
- find a conservative real estate agent
- leaving New York — where to go
- leaving Illinois — where to go
- leaving Minnesota — where to go
- leaving Colorado — where to go
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- leaving Washington — where to go
- leaving Oregon — where to go
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Popular Relocation Routes: Blue State to Red State Moving Guides
Ready to go beyond the rankings? These step-by-step guides cover taxes, home prices, the best conservative communities, and how to coordinate selling your current home with buying in your new state.
Leaving California: California to Texas • California to Tennessee • California to Florida • California to Idaho • California to South Carolina
Leaving New York: New York to Texas • New York to Florida • New York to North Carolina
Leaving New Jersey: New Jersey to Florida • New Jersey to Texas
Leaving Washington: Washington to Idaho • Washington to Texas
Leaving Illinois or Massachusetts: Illinois to Florida • Massachusetts to Florida
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