America's Most - And Least

Newsweek

4 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The United States' most and least independent states have been revealed in a new study.
The rankings, compiled by the personal finance company WalletHub, reveal that the five most independent states are Utah, Colorado, Virginia, Idaho and Hawaii.
In contrast, the least independent states are Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia and Alaska.
The findings compared the 50 states based on five sources of dependency: consumer finances, the government, the job market, international trade, and personal vices.
Why It Matters
The findings come amid the threat of major benefits cuts as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which has been passed by House Republicans and is currently under consideration in the Senate.
The bill in its current form calls for a reduction in federal funding for Medicaid by $863 billion and for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) by $295 billion over 10 years.
The bill could significantly alter to what extent states are able to rely on the federal government for support over numerous years.
What To Know
WalletHub's analysis revealed that Utah is the most independent state due to its low unemployment rate of 3.2 percent, meaning a low percentage of people rely on unemployment income. It has the second-highest median income in the U.S. (over $88,000) and the second-lowest share of people in poverty.
Utah also has very few people who receive government benefits, including only 5.3 percent of people who receive SNAP or foods stamps, and 1.6 percent who receive public assistance income.
The state also has the lowest share of recorded binge drinking or smoking across the U.S.
Colorado is the second-most independent state, in part due to the good money management of its residents. Only 16 percent of Coloradans spend more money than they make, the second-lowest percentage in the U.S, according to the findings.
Colorado also has a very low percentage of jobs supported by exported goods, with exports to other countries making up a very low percentage of its GDP.
Virginia is the third-most independent state, in part due its low unemployment rate of just 3.1 percent and the highest median income in the country. Only 9.9 percent of Virginians are living in poverty.
The state also has the third-lowest share of binge drinkers, along with low rates of smoking and opioid use.
In contrast, the states that are most dependent on the government are Alaska, West Virginia, New Mexico, Mississippi and Kentucky.
The states with the highest vice dependencies are Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee.
And the states that are most financially dependent are Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
What People Are Saying
Kenneth F. Warren, political science professor emeritus at Saint Louis University, told WalletHub: "Financial independence for most adults will come from holding down permanent jobs with guaranteed incomes and benefits. Approaching a bank for a loan for a house purchase will likely prove problematic for those chasing gig jobs since future earnings are difficult to predict."
Dewey M. Clayton, political science professor at the University of Louisville, told WalletHub: "Some states do not generate as much income as others, and they receive more tax dollars than they send to Washington because they are poorer. This allows the federal government to assist states in providing poorer states with the necessary funding for goods and services for their citizens... the national government has the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of all its citizens, irrespective of their income."