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Do You Live in One of the Wealthiest or Poorest Parts of the U.S.? Find Out Here

Some states have a reputation for being well-off. Others are known for having lower incomes. But how do Americans’ perceptions of wealthy and poor states measure up to cold hard data?

World Population Review took on the task of ranking states according to each state’s gross domestic product (GDP). That means they honed in on each state’s economy, as a higher GDP often corresponds with more prosperity for residents.

Does your state make it on either side of the rich and poor spectrum?

Gathering the Data

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World Population Review assessed each state’s GDP, which reflects the overall value of its goods and services. In layperson’s terms, GDP indicates how strong or weak a state’s economy is.

For reference, California has the highest GDP, at $3,120,386,000. In contrast, Vermont’s $33,278 GDP is the lowest in the nation. However, comparing a state’s GDP per capita is an easier and more accurate comparison. For this reason, World Population Review based its rankings of the wealthiest and poorest states on GDP per capita.

With that under our belt, the following are the richest states in America.

Areal view of New York City.

1: New York

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GDP per capita: $105,458

Brick buildings in Boston.

2: Massachusetts

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GDP per capita: $98,061

A bison grazing in North Dakota.

3: North Dakota

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GDP per capita: $92,868

Washington snow covered mountains and evergreens next to lake.

4: Washington

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GDP per capita: $92,525

San Diego skyline.

5: California

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GDP per capita: $92,521

Greenwich, Connecticut.

6: Connecticut

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GDP per capita: $88,769

Flowers in Alaska.

7: Alaska

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GDP per capita: $86,728

Houses in Bethany Beach, Delaware.

8: Delaware

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GDP per capita: $83,810

Chicago skyline.

9: Illinois

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GDP per capita: $82,553

Colorado mountain backroad.

10: Colorado

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GDP per capita: $81,900

The Exception

Washington DC Capitol building.
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The District of Columbia (D.C.) isn’t a state. However, its $236,267 GDP per capita is too massive to ignore. That puts D.C. at over double the GDP of New York, the richest state, according to World Population Review.

Poorest States

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The following states are the poorest based on a GDP per capita perspective. However, a low GDP doesn’t necessarily mean that a state is in totally bad shape, and a high GDP doesn’t mean it’s in good shape across the board.

Case in point? Washington, D.C. has a higher GDP per capita and a higher median household income compared to all states. However, it has a high poverty rate of 13.5%.

With that in mind, these are World Population Review’s poorest states based on GDP per capita.

Swamp area in Mississippi.

1: Mississippi

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GDP per capita: $47,183

Arkansas hiker on cliff overlooking mountains.

2: Arkansas

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GDP per capita: $53,486

Beach in Alabama.

3: Alabama

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GDP per capita: $54,018

Train tracks in West Virginia.

4: West Virginia

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GDP per capita: $54,124

Shrimp boat in South Carolina.

5: South Carolina

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GDP per capita: $54,149

Mountains in Idaho.

6: Idaho

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GDP per capita: $55,036

Autumn in Montana's Glacier Park.

7: Montana

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GDP per capita: $56,894

Horse farm in Kentucky.

8: Kentucky

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GDP per capita: $57,326

Hot air balloons flying in Albuquerque.

9: New Mexico

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GDP per capita: $57,730

Bison grazing.

10: Oklahoma

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GDP per capita: $58,834

Moving States

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People thinking about moving states and who are in the prime of their careers may be more inclined to choose a state with a higher GDP per capita.

In contrast, retirees might not be as moved by what constitutes a “rich” and “poor” state. Instead, states that offer no or low state income tax, affordable health care, and an environment that allows them to spend their days doing what they love most are often more important.

Zooming in on Income

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According to 2022 data collected by Investopedia, Maryland is the richest state in the country from a median household income perspective. The average household in the Free State has $98,461 in annual income to their name. New Jersey ($97,126) and Massachusetts ($96,505) are the second and third-richest income states, respectively.

In contrast, Mississippi’s GDP per capita ranking matches its residents’ last-place median household income ranking. The median household income in the Magnolia State is $52,985, the lowest in the nation.

West Virginians have the second-lowest median household income ($55,217), and Arkansans have the third-lowest ($56,335).

25 Cheapest Places To Live in America

Sold house.
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Are you in the market for a home but are tired of high housing prices where you’re looking? If your job allows you to be location-independent, these are the most economical places to live in the US that just might be worth moving to.

25 Cheapest Places to Live in America

How Much Money It Takes To Be in the Top 10%

Woman taking money out of purse.
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Whether you dream of being in the top 10% or think you might already be there, one thing is certain: The income a household makes to be in the top 10% club varies by state. Here’s how much you need to make to have a higher income than 90% of Americans.

How Much Money It Takes To Be in the Top 10% by State

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