--- title: "Home" date: 2025-06-24 author: "Nathan Ingram" featured_image: "https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/RLS-2025-Cover.jpg" --- # Home 2026 Explore the Religious Liberty in the States rankings by selecting states from the map or list. By Map Toggle By List [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/indiana/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/south-carolina/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/louisiana/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/montana/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/west-virginia/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-jersey/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/vermont/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/illinois/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/minnesota/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/utah/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/tennessee/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-mexico/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/massachusetts/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/pennsylvania/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/georgia/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/iowa/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/nevada/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/wyoming/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/arkansas/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/kansas/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/texas/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/idaho/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/maine/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/virginia/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/florida/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/wisconsin/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/california/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/south-dakota/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/ohio/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/missouri/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/delaware/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/rhode-island/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-york/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/alabama/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/north-dakota/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/washington/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/colorado/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/mississippi/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/arizona/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/maryland/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-hampshire/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/connecticut/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/north-carolina/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/michigan/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/oregon/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/nebraska/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/oklahoma/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/kentucky/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/alaska/) [ ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/hawaii/) States are ranked in order of detailed religious liberty criteria: 1-50 Additional information on each state, including a printable scorecard (PDF), is available by clicking on a state. more religious freedom Ranks #1-10 Ranks #11-20 Ranks #21-30 Ranks #31-40 Ranks #41-50 Rank # 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 Ranking Order Alphabetical Order 2026 Religious Liberty Rankings - [Alabama](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/alabama/) - [Alaska](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/alaska/) - [Arizona](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/arizona/) - [Arkansas](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/arkansas/) - [California](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/california/) - [Colorado](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/colorado/) - [Connecticut](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/connecticut/) - [Delaware](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/delaware/) - [Florida](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/florida/) - [Georgia](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/georgia/) - [Hawaii](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/hawaii/) - [Idaho](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/idaho/) - [Illinois](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/illinois/) - [Indiana](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/indiana/) - [Iowa](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/iowa/) - [Kansas](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/kansas/) - [Kentucky](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/kentucky/) - [Louisiana](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/louisiana/) - [Maine](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/maine/) - [Maryland](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/maryland/) - [Massachusetts](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/massachusetts/) - [Michigan](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/michigan/) - [Minnesota](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/minnesota/) - [Mississippi](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/mississippi/) - [Missouri](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/missouri/) - [Montana](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/montana/) - [Nebraska](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/nebraska/) - [Nevada](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/nevada/) - [New Hampshire](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-hampshire/) - [New Jersey](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-jersey/) - [New Mexico](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-mexico/) - [New York](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/new-york/) - [North Carolina](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/north-carolina/) - [North Dakota](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/north-dakota/) - [Ohio](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/ohio/) - [Oklahoma](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/oklahoma/) - [Oregon](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/oregon/) - [Pennsylvania](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/pennsylvania/) - [Rhode Island](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/rhode-island/) - [South Carolina](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/south-carolina/) - [South Dakota](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/south-dakota/) - [Tennessee](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/tennessee/) - [Texas](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/texas/) - [Utah](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/utah/) - [Vermont](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/vermont/) - [Virginia](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/virginia/) - [Washington](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/washington/) - [West Virginia](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/west-virginia/) - [Wisconsin](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/wisconsin/) - [Wyoming](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/state/wyoming/) ### Alabama Based on 20 legal safeguards, Alabama ranks: 2626 ### Alaska Based on 20 legal safeguards, Alaska ranks: 4343 ### Arizona Based on 20 legal safeguards, Arizona ranks: 1212 ### Arkansas Based on 20 legal safeguards, Arkansas ranks: 11 ### California Based on 20 legal safeguards, California ranks: 4646 ### Colorado Based on 20 legal safeguards, Colorado ranks: 4141 ### Connecticut Based on 20 legal safeguards, Connecticut ranks: 3333 ### Delaware Based on 20 legal safeguards, Delaware ranks: 1818 ### Florida Based on 20 legal safeguards, Florida ranks: 33 ### Georgia Based on 20 legal safeguards, Georgia ranks: 2323 ### Hawaii Based on 20 legal safeguards, Hawaii ranks: 1717 ### Idaho Based on 20 legal safeguards, Idaho ranks: 88 ### Illinois Based on 20 legal safeguards, Illinois ranks: 55 ### Indiana Based on 20 legal safeguards, Indiana ranks: 2828 ### Iowa Based on 20 legal safeguards, Iowa ranks: 3131 ### Kansas Based on 20 legal safeguards, Kansas ranks: 2222 ### Kentucky Based on 20 legal safeguards, Kentucky ranks: 2020 ### Louisiana Based on 20 legal safeguards, Louisiana ranks: 2020 ### Maine Based on 20 legal safeguards, Maine ranks: 2525 ### Maryland Based on 20 legal safeguards, Maryland ranks: 1414 ### Massachusetts Based on 20 legal safeguards, Massachusetts ranks: 3838 ### Michigan Based on 20 legal safeguards, Michigan ranks: 4848 ### Minnesota Based on 20 legal safeguards, Minnesota ranks: 2323 ### Mississippi Based on 20 legal safeguards, Mississippi ranks: 66 ### Missouri Based on 20 legal safeguards, Missouri ranks: 2929 ### Montana Based on 20 legal safeguards, Montana ranks: 44 ### Nebraska Based on 20 legal safeguards, Nebraska ranks: 4444 ### Nevada Based on 20 legal safeguards, Nevada ranks: 3737 ### New Hampshire Based on 20 legal safeguards, New Hampshire ranks: 3030 ### New Jersey Based on 20 legal safeguards, New Jersey ranks: 3535 ### New Mexico Based on 20 legal safeguards, New Mexico ranks: 3131 ### New York Based on 20 legal safeguards, New York ranks: 5050 ### North Carolina Based on 20 legal safeguards, North Carolina ranks: 4242 ### North Dakota Based on 20 legal safeguards, North Dakota ranks: 1616 ### Ohio Based on 20 legal safeguards, Ohio ranks: 77 ### Oklahoma Based on 20 legal safeguards, Oklahoma ranks: 1515 ### Oregon Based on 20 legal safeguards, Oregon ranks: 3939 ### Pennsylvania Based on 20 legal safeguards, Pennsylvania ranks: 1313 ### Rhode Island Based on 20 legal safeguards, Rhode Island ranks: 2626 ### South Carolina Based on 20 legal safeguards, South Carolina ranks: 99 ### South Dakota Based on 20 legal safeguards, South Dakota ranks: 3636 ### Tennessee Based on 20 legal safeguards, Tennessee ranks: 22 ### Texas Based on 20 legal safeguards, Texas ranks: 1919 ### Utah Based on 20 legal safeguards, Utah ranks: 1111 ### Vermont Based on 20 legal safeguards, Vermont ranks: 4949 ### Virginia Based on 20 legal safeguards, Virginia ranks: 3333 ### Washington Based on 20 legal safeguards, Washington ranks: 1010 ### West Virginia Based on 20 legal safeguards, West Virginia ranks: 4747 ### Wisconsin Based on 20 legal safeguards, Wisconsin ranks: 4040 ### Wyoming Based on 20 legal safeguards, Wyoming ranks: 4545 [ ![RLS2026-cover](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/RLS2026-cover-618x800.jpg)## Download the Report and Data Our Downloads page provides free access to all downloadable materials, including our 2026 report, complete dataset, and 50 user-friendly state scorecards. Download Resources ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/downloads/) [ ![Screenshot](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/RLS_2026_Rankings.jpg)## Download the 2026 State Rankings This downloadable PDF lists all 50 states ranked by their overall score. Download Rankings ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/26-01_RLS-rankings-table_one-pager_final.pdf) ![002C7B4C-2316-48EC-91D3-70B4B519F663a](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/002C7B4C-2316-48EC-91D3-70B4B519F663a-1200x800.jpg "002C7B4C-2316-48EC-91D3-70B4B519F663a") ## What’s new in RLS 2026? Religious Liberty in the States (RLS) is a data project and index measure reflecting the current landscape of free-exercise protections at the state level. Now in its fifth annual edition, RLS analyzes all [fifty states](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/states/) on fifty detailed items. New items measured in RLS 2026 include a medical conscience protection that permits individuals to decline to participate in genetic counseling, a protection for individuals to opt-out of joining labor unions if they have religious objections to doing so, and whether states protect people from discrimination at public institutions of higher education because of their religious commitments. [ View State Details ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/states/) ![DF192237-5A8C-4C55-9613-AA0515A99941a](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/DF192237-5A8C-4C55-9613-AA0515A99941a.jpg "DF192237-5A8C-4C55-9613-AA0515A99941a") ## With richer data, anyone can dig deeper! RLS 2026 has been updated to reflect a broader scope of items in its [20 safeguards](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguards/), including the changes in states’ laws during 2025. Equipped with five years of data, researchers and concerned citizens alike can see where states stand today and trace trends in religious liberty protections over time. Explore what your state is doing now to protect religious liberty, and where it’s lacking, look to other states for examples of what is possible. Find (and share) your [state’s scorecard](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/states/) or explore across states in a topic area of interest to you. Researchers will find the complete [RLS 2026 dataset](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/downloads/) useful. Now longitudinal, it includes complete citations to state statutes and detailed notes from the RLS research team. [ Learn About Safeguards ](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/safeguards/)## In the News ![](https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/wp-content/media/icon-quotes.svg) “All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”George Washington (August 18, 1790) *Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island*