KÜHL has announced a new study analyzing publicly available data on off-grid living, revealing that New Mexico ranks as the best state for this lifestyle in the United States. The announcement was made in a news article on February 11, 2025.
According to the study by KÜHL, New Mexico's top ranking is attributed to its favorable regulations and affordability. The state supports rainwater collection, has minimal zoning laws, and imposes few restrictions on livestock and animals. This makes it one of the least restrictive states for off-grid living. Additionally, New Mexico offers one of the lowest costs of living, with affordable real estate options for pasture, cropland, and farms. While it ranks mid-tier in safety, climate conditions, and outdoor access, its overall low cost and lenient regulations make it an attractive choice for off-grid enthusiasts.
The study's methodology involved weighting each category based on factors such as land costs, renewable energy incentives, weather conditions, legal barriers, crime rates, and outdoor recreation opportunities. States like South Carolina, Missouri, and Mississippi also ranked high due to similar benefits in terms of legal flexibility and outdoor access.
"Off-grid living is mainly about balancing affordability and freedom," said Oded Gross, marketing specialist at KÜHL. "New Mexico offers both. With low land costs and minimal regulations, New Mexico is the best opportunity for those looking to unplug and thrive off the grid."
KÜHL is a privately owned American company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It designs outdoor and casual apparel for men, women, and children. Founded as Alfwear in 1983 and rebranded as KÜHL in 1994, the company specializes in technical outdoor clothing, workwear, and hiking apparel. The name KÜHL derives from the German word for "cool" and was influenced by Holger Kuhr's contributions to developing 3-D engineered designs. In addition to apparel design, KÜHL produces articles on topics such as adventure, hiking, travel style food DIY projects social issues wellness.
