The most conservative states in America.
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 for free.
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 currently ranked as the most conservative state in the United States according to the World Population Review. Approximately 67% of Wyoming residents identify as Republican or hold Republican-leaning views. Wyoming’s tax rates are generally low, including no state income tax. The state has consistently voted for Republican presidential candidates since the 1950s, except for the 1964 election.
Conservative states as seen from the 2024 election
Most traditional states in America
The subsequent is a compilation of the most traditional states in America, determined by the Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI). This measure 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.
WyomingR+25
Wyoming stands as the most conservative state in the United States. Its tax policies are generally low, with no state income tax. The state has consistently chosen Republican Party candidates for presidency since the 1950s, except for the 1964 election. According to the 2023 PVI score, Wyoming has a R+25 rating, and 69.9% of its voters supported Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
West VirginiaR+22
According to the R+22 PVI score, West Virginia is ranked as the second most conservative state in the United States. In West Virginia, 45% of voters identify as conservative, while only 17% identify as liberal. In the 2020 election, Donald Trump received 68.6% of the vote, a slight increase from the 2016 election.
OklahomaR+20
The state of Oklahoma, known for its predominantly conservative population, has a PVI score of R+20. During the 2018 midterm election, there were only four counties in Oklahoma that voted for the Democratic party. In the 2020 presidential election, 65.4% of voters in Oklahoma cast their ballots for the Republican party. Additionally, the state has a history of voting Republican, with 15 out of the last 16 elections being won by Republican candidates.
North DakotaR+20
North Dakota, a state with a PVI of R+20, is widely known as a Republican-dominated region. In the 2016 presidential race, 63% of the state’s population voted for Donald Trump, but this figure increased to 65.1% in the 2020 election. This surge indicates a potential increase in the conservative electorate for upcoming elections.
IdahoR+18
The state of Idaho experienced an increase in the proportion of Republican voters during the 2016 to 2020 presidential elections. In 2016, 59.3% of voters chose Donald Trump, while in 2020, he received 63.8% of the vote. According to the PVI, Idaho is considered an R+18 state. This means that the state has consistently voted for Republican candidates and has not elected a Democratic presidential candidate since 2000. In fact, since 1900, Democratic candidates have only won the state 29% of the time.
ArkansasR+16
Since 2000, Arkansas has not supported a Democratic president, even though it had a history of doing so more than half of the time from 1900 to the present. This indicates a shift towards conservatism in the state. Currently, it holds an R+16 PVI score, with a majority of 62.4% of voters choosing Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
KentuckyR+16
With a PVI of R+16, Kentucky is known for its strong support for Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, with 62.5% and 62.1% of the vote respectively. While historically leaning towards the Democratic party between 1900 and 1960, the state has not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1996, indicating a shift towards more conservative ideals.
AlabamaR+15
With 46% of voters identifying as conservative, Alabama ranks as the eighth most conservative state in the United States. In the 2020 presidential election, 62% of the state voted for the Republican party, giving Alabama a PVI of R+15. This trend of voting Republican has been consistent in the last eleven presidential elections, with 62.1% of voters supporting the Republican candidate in 2016. Additionally, a significant number of Alabama residents regularly attend church, which is often associated with conservative beliefs.
South Dakota
The state of South Dakota is known for its conservative demographic, with 44% of voters identifying as such. This places it as the ninth-most conservative state in the United States. During the 2016 presidential election, the majority of voters, 61.5%, cast their vote for the Republican party, giving them a significant lead of 29.8% over the 31.7% of voters who chose the Democratic party. This trend continued in the 2020 election, with the Republican party receiving 61.8% of the votes. It should be noted that South Dakota has not chosen a Democratic president since 1964.
TennesseeR+14
With a PVI of R+14, Tennessee holds the rank of the tenth most conservative state in the United States. In both the 2016 and 2020 elections, the majority of 60.7% of voters chose the Republican presidential candidate. Throughout the past 70 years, Tennessee has only supported a Democratic presidential candidate on four occasions.
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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.
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, safe communities, 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-town markets in Idaho, South Dakota, and North Texas consistently rank among the safest places to raise kids.
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.
Which red state is right for your family?
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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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+25. Approximately 67% 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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