I think this question is usually only half asked.

Before anyone can tell you the "best state for homesteading," they really need to know what kind of homestead you're trying to build. A llama ranch in the Mojave Desert probably isn't the best fit. Likewise, an orange grove in northern Minnesota, or a maple syrup operation in south Florida. Some questions worth answering first: Do you want to grow most of your own food or raise livestock? Are you looking for complete off-grid independence or just a quieter rural life? Is access to a nearby town or hospital important? Are you trying to maximize growing season, minimize taxes, avoid regulations, or simply find affordable land? Do you enjoy cold winters, or are you trying to avoid snow altogether? Are you planning to homestead full-time or just on weekends? For me, the goal isn't to escape civilization. It's to build a peaceful, resilient place that's comfortable enough to enjoy and practical enough to maintain. That led me toward a wooded property in central Kentucky. Someone else's priorities could easily point them toward Montana, Tennessee, Maine, Missouri, or somewhere completely different. There probably isn't a "best" state. There are only states that are a better or worse fit for the life you want to build. So before recommending a location, maybe the first question should be: "Describe your ideal Saturday on your future homestead." The answer to that will probably narrow the map more than a hundred opinions ever will.