Alabama Near Bottom in State Independence Rankings

Alabama ranks among the nation's least independent states, according to a new WalletHub study that measured all 50 states across several categories tied to self-sufficiency.

The report ranked Alabama 43rd overall, evaluating states in five key areas: financial dependency, government dependency, job-market dependency, international trade dependency and vice dependency. Researchers analyzed 39 different metrics to determine each state's overall score.

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According to the study, Alabama ranked 44th in financial dependency, 38th in government dependency, 15th in job-market dependency, 39th in international trade dependency and 39th in vice dependency. The report also found Alabama tied for the third-lowest median credit score in the country.

Idaho claimed the top spot as the nation's most independent state, followed by Utah, Hawaii, Colorado and South Dakota. Kentucky ranked last, with Louisiana and Mississippi also finishing near the bottom.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the rankings are intended to measure how self-sustaining states are across multiple aspects of daily life, including finances, employment, government reliance and personal habits.

The study notes that rising inflation and economic challenges have made financial independence more difficult for many Americans. You can check out the full study here.