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.
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.
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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.
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