When researching homesteading ideas, you’re probably wondering about the best place to start a homestead. From the best state to homestead in to the best plot of land, there are a lot of factors to consider.
Where is the best place to start a homestead? That’s a question that many people are asking lately.

The answer, of course, depends on your individual circumstances. But we can give you some general guidelines to help you get started.
In this article, we’ll discuss the best states for homesteading, based on affordability, cost of living, and availability of land.
We’ll also talk about how to start a homestead in an apartment or small city plot, as well as in a rural area with acres of land (Did you know there are plenty of small farm animals perfect for city living?).
So no matter what your situation is, we have you covered!
This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Where To Homestead
When it comes to choosing where to homestead, there are a number of important factors to consider.
For starters, price will undoubtedly be a major consideration. Depending on your financial situation, you may wish to look for an area with relatively low property taxes or a region that is more affordable overall.
Additionally, safety should also be at the top of your list. Whether you are looking for an urban or rural setting, you will want to evaluate the local crime rate and any potential risk of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods.

Another important consideration when homesteading is accessibility to water. No matter where you choose to settle down, having ready access to clean water will be essential for growing crops and raising livestock.
Additionally, if you plan on homeschooling your children or working from home, you will also need to think about things like internet service.
Ultimately, the key is to find a place that meets all of your needs and offers the quality of life that you desire. With these factors in mind, you will be able to find the perfect location for building your homestead and creating a sustainable lifestyle for yourself and your family.
What Is The First Thing To Do When Starting A Homestead?
The first thing to do when starting a homestead is to create a plan. This requires thinking about your goals for the property, including the types of products and animals you want to raise, as well as your budget and other considerations like access to water, sunlight, and land.
You will also need to think about the resources that will be available to you on your property, including space for gardening and livestock, as well as potential materials for building fences and other structures.

With a clear plan in place, you can then start setting up your homestead according to your vision and needs. Whether this involves clearing land for planting fruit trees, raising honeybees for honey production, or even growing medicinal herbs on your window sill or patio for personal use, all of your efforts will be guided by careful planning from the very beginning.
Here are some of our top recommended articles for beginning homesteaders. Take a look and gain some more knowledge!
So don’t hesitate – get out there and start creating the homestead of your dreams!
What Is The Best State To Live In For Homesteading?
There is no one “best” state for homesteading, as the specific factors that are most important to each individual will vary from person to person.
Some may prioritize affordable housing or cost of living, while others might be most concerned with finding affordable land or with having easy access to the outdoors. However, there are certainly some states that are particularly well-suited for those looking to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

For example, states like Montana and Wyoming offer affordable housing and land, making it possible for homesteaders to build their own homes and cultivate large properties at a relatively low cost.
Additionally, both of these states have beautiful natural landscapes, which can be a vital asset for those who want to spend their days tending to gardens or working on their crafting skills.
At first glance, here are some of the best states to homestead in:
- Oklahoma – This is where we’re currently homesteading and we love it!
- Missouri
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- Arkansas
- Texas (northern part of the state)
- Kentucky
- West Virginia
- Alabama
- Montana
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- Idaho – We used to homestead here and we had a great experience once we got over the frigid cold!

Overall, whether you’re looking for an urban or rural setting, or simply want easy access to great outdoor activities, there’s sure to be a state that is perfect for your unique needs and preferences as a homesteader.
Where Is The Cheapest Place To Homestead?
There is no single answer to the question of where the cheapest place to homestead is. On one hand, some considerations like soil quality, available rainfall and local climate can influence the overall cost of living in a particular area.
For example, locations with a favorable warm or moderate climate can require less money spent on heating and cooling, while fertile soil might lower the costs of buying fertilizers or growing certain crops for your own food or for selling yourself to neighbors or at farmers markets.

However, it’s also important to consider factors that are more subjective, such as quality of life. And of course you will want to consider property taxes, state income taxes, and even state sales tax when researching obtaining your own land for the homesteading lifestyle.
Depending on your preferences, an area that may appear to be less affordable at first glance could actually end up being cheaper in the long run due to its unique cultural and community offerings.
In short, there is no universal answer to this question – what matters most is finding a place that works for you.
How Do Determine Homesteading Affordability
One of the best ways to determine the cheapest place to homestead is by pricing out land and comparing cost of living.
There are many places to buy cheap plots of land online.

As far as low land prices go, one site we’ve dealt with in the past is AGT Properties (not an affiliation). We’ve also had good experiences with Land Watch (also not an affiliation). However, there are plenty of other options.
Just be sure to do your research on the reputation of each company you consider working with. Sometimes the cheapest land is not always the best.
No matter what site you choose to buy land from, be sure to have someone you check go out and vet the properties to ensure they meet your needs as far as utilities and access to road go, but once you’ve confirmed those needs, you can find a cheap plot of land in many US states.
Then it’s just a matter of picking the place that meets your income and cost of living needs.
Some of the cheapest states for land include:
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Texas (northern part of the state)
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- West Virginia
- Alabama
- South Carolina
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Tennessee
- New Mexico
Of course, these are just generalities and there are always exceptions to the rule. For example, land in rural Alaska is often very cheap, but the cost of living in this state is also notoriously high.
And some states have very high property taxes and high state income tax whereas other states have low property taxes. Many states even offer local tax rebates or even rural homesteading land grant.
So, as with anything else, it’s important to do your homework and find a homesteading location that works for you.
How Many Acres Do You Need To Start A Homestead?
When it comes to homesteading, there are many different options for where and how you choose to start.
If you live in an apartment or city plot, small-scale homesteading may be a great choice for you. This might involve growing a few plants or herbs on your windowsill, keeping a few chickens in your backyard, or building a raised garden bed to grow produce.
Alternatively, if you have access to a bit more land – whether that’s in the country or on the outskirts of the city – then larger-scale homesteading may be the way to go. This could involve buying several acres of land, setting up an outdoor chicken coop and brooder house, and planting fruit trees and gardens for year-round harvesting.

We have personally homesteaded on 1/4 of an acre, 3 acres, and now 25 acres. There is really no requirement, so long as you are willing to get creative and innovative with the land you have available.
Whatever route you decide to take, remember that the key is to start simply and slowly build up your homesteading skills over time. You don’t have to obtain complete self sufficiency overnight.
With patience and commitment, you can easily create a thriving homestead no matter what space you have available!
We hope that this article has given you a good starting point for your homesteading journey. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us in the comments below or on our social media pages.
And be sure to share this post with your friends and family who may also be interested in homesteading!
Charlene has been dabbling in and learning about the homesteading lifestyle for almost 20 years. She recently started a real-world homestead with her extended family and is excited to share 20+ years of knowledge and experience with the world!
While she certainly doesn't know everything about homesteading and is learning more every day, she is excited to learn and grow along with YOU!
Charlene blogs about about homesteading at https://secretlifeofhomesteaders.com/.

