North Dakota ranked as ‘freest state’ according to Mercatus Center
North Dakota comes out on top as the “freest state” according to the third edition of Freedom in the 50 States, an analysis that measures both economic and personal freedoms by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
As part of its #1 overall ranking, The Peace Garden State was ranked #4 in fiscal and regulatory freedom and #20 in personal freedom.
North Dakota was followed by South Dakota, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma rounding out the top five. At the bottom of the ranking, New York ranks worst by a significant margin, with rent control and burdensome insurance regulations dragging down its regulatory freedom score. New York is behind California at 49th, then New Jersey, Hawaii, and Rhode Island.
To see how the ranking is calculated, check this link. How did your state fare?, check this link.
Top 5 Freest States
Image/Mercatus Center Facebook page
