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Median Household Income by State

How does your state compare? See median household income for all 50 states, ranked from highest to lowest using the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.

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All 50 States Ranked by Median Household Income

RankStateMedian Household Income
1Massachusetts$104,828
2New Jersey$104,294
3Maryland$102,905
4Hawaii$100,745
5California$100,149
6New Hampshire$99,782
7Washington$99,389
8Colorado$97,113
9Utah$96,658
10Connecticut$96,049
11Alaska$95,665
12Virginia$92,090
13Delaware$87,534
14Minnesota$87,117
15New York$85,820
16Oregon$85,220
17Rhode Island$83,504
18Illinois$83,211
19Vermont$82,730
20Arizona$81,486
21Idaho$81,166
22Nevada$81,134
23Georgia$79,991
24Texas$79,721
25North Dakota$77,871
26Florida$77,735
27Pennsylvania$77,545
28Wisconsin$77,488
29South Dakota$76,881
30Maine$76,442
31Nebraska$76,376
32Wyoming$75,532
33Kansas$75,514
34Iowa$75,501
35Montana$75,340
36North Carolina$73,958
37Michigan$72,389
38South Carolina$72,350
39Ohio$72,212
40Tennessee$71,997
41Indiana$71,959
42Missouri$71,589
43New Mexico$67,816
44Alabama$66,659
45Oklahoma$66,148
46Kentucky$64,526
47Arkansas$62,106
48Louisiana$60,986
49West Virginia$60,798
50Mississippi$59,127

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2024). Data is updated automatically when new figures are released.

Key Takeaways

  • 1.The gap is enormous. The highest-income state (Massachusetts, $104,828) has nearly double the median of the lowest (Mississippi, $59,127).
  • 2.High income doesn't mean high wealth. California and New York rank high on income but their cost of living means residents often have less disposable income than those in mid-range states.
  • 3.Your state matters for context. Earning $75,000 puts you above the median in most states but below it in places like Maryland, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Wealthile shows you exactly where you stand in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which state has the highest median household income?

Maryland consistently ranks as the state with the highest median household income. This is largely driven by proximity to Washington D.C. and a high concentration of federal government and defense industry jobs. New Jersey and Massachusetts also regularly rank in the top three.

Which state has the lowest median household income?

Mississippi and West Virginia consistently have the lowest median household incomes in the country. However, these states also tend to have a lower cost of living, which partially offsets the income difference.

Does median income account for cost of living?

No. Median income figures are raw dollar amounts and do not adjust for cost of living. A $90,000 income in California does not go as far as a $70,000 income in Tennessee. Wealthile shows your state-level comparison so you can see how you rank among people who face similar costs.

What is the difference between median and average income?

The median income is the middle value — half of households earn more, half earn less. The average (mean) income is higher because it is pulled up by extremely high earners. For most people, the median is the more useful comparison point.

How often is this data updated?

The U.S. Census Bureau releases updated American Community Survey data annually, typically in September. Wealthile updates its data automatically when new figures are published to ensure you are always comparing against the most recent available statistics.

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