Most Freedom: TX, AZ, CO, ID, ND, SD, MO, TN, VA, NH
Least Freedom: CA, WA, IL, MA, NY, CT, RI, DC, MD, HA
I'll bet that break-down exactly matches the current US migration pattern.
When we were moving from California to Texas in late 2005, the rental rates for U-Haul equipment from Cali to Texas was something like four times as expensive as rental rates for the same equipment going in the opposite direction.
U-Haul didn't artificially raise the rates on the Cali end. They discounted the rates on the Texas end. My wife did some checking at the time and discovered that they were even offering to pay people to get their equipment back to Cali, under certain circumstances.
Consider this: Texas has a net in-migration of 1,350 US citizens a DAY, while Cali is undergoing an annual net loss of US citizens. The only thing that's keeping their population number steady is the influx of foreigners and revolving door Americans.
I am also “formerly” from LaLa land. Lived in LA and Marina del Rey. Went there for a job. First full day I was there, the 29 floor building in which I had rented a condo caught on fire and necessitated crawling out in blinding smoke to stairs and walking down 29 flights. Right before I left I saw a murder by a gang in a not so nice area of LA that I mistakenly was driving through on the way back from an appointment. I met a billionaire one day in an elevator and we became friends and I got to know a high profile sports figure who was a great person. I high tech client whose company was defrauded by Intel eventually leading me to a court room in Austin, Texas. LA and California in general was quite an experience. Glad I had it but I am also very glad I am no longer there.