New York ranked 21st among the most independent states in a new WalletHub analysis comparing financial, government, job-market, trade and personal-dependency factors.
The 2026 study placed New York with a total score of 54.94, behind Ohio and ahead of Delaware.
WalletHub compared all 50 states across five major areas of dependency: consumer finances, government reliance, the job market, international trade and personal vices. The categories were measured using 39 indicators, according to the report.
New York ranked 11th for financial dependency, 25th for government dependency, 35th for job-market dependency and 30th for international trade dependency.
Idaho ranked first overall, followed by Utah, Hawaii, Colorado and South Dakota. Kentucky ranked last, behind Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska and South Carolina.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the analysis was released ahead of Independence Day as a way to compare how self-sufficient states are across several measures.
The report said inflation has made financial independence harder for many Americans and noted that some households have become more reliant on government assistance or personal coping habits.
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