- Home
- slideshows
- miscellaneous
- The typical American household earns $61,000 a year. Here are 15 states where the typical resident earns even less.
The typical American household earns $61,000 a year. Here are 15 states where the typical resident earns even less.
15. Missouri
14. Nevada
With low incomes, Las Vegas and Reno's home state isn't particularly a high roller.
Median household income: $56,505
Poverty rate: 12.3%
13. Tennessee
Tennessee's low costs of living don't quite make up for the state's lower incomes.
Median household income: $55,240
Poverty rate: 13.7%
12. Oklahoma
Oklahoma's median household income is far lower than the national average.
Median household income: $55,006
Poverty rate: 13.8%
11. South Carolina
Coastal cities like Charleston might make South Carolina seem opulent, but the state's high poverty rate shows another side.
Median household income: $54,971
Poverty rate: 14.6%
10. Florida
Florida might be a favorite of retirees and Miami a draw for millionaires, but the whole state isn't necessarily sharing the wealth.
Median household income: $53,681
Poverty rate: 14.3%
9. Maine
Maine's high costs of living, combined with lower incomes, doesn't necessarily help the state's already high poverty rate.
Median household income: $51,664
Poverty rate: 12.3%
8. Kentucky
Kentucky's high poverty rate and low incomes put the Bluegrass State at number eight.
Median household income: $51,348
Poverty rate: 16.4%
7. Alabama
Alabama's poverty rate is lower than Kentucky's, but so is the median income.
Median household income: $51,113
Poverty rate: 15.8%
6. North Carolina
Despite having bigger cities and a bustling commerce scene, North Carolina has lower incomes than its southern sister, South Carolina.
Median household income: $50,343
Poverty rate: 14.4%
5. Arkansas
The first state on the list with a median household income that doesn't reach the $50,000 mark, Arkansas has a low household income.
Median household income: $48,829
Poverty rate: 15.6%
4. New Mexico
New Mexico's deserts and mountains are stunning, but this state also has a high poverty rate.
Median household income: $47,855
Poverty rate: 18.7%
3. West Virginia
Once known as "coal country," West Virginia's economy has suffered as mines have shut down.
Median household income: $45,392
Poverty rate: 16.6%
2. Louisiana
While best known for opulent New Orleans, Louisiana's poverty rate is actually the highest in the nation. Nearly a fifth of the state lives in poverty.
Median household income: $43,903
Poverty rate: 20.0%
1. Mississippi
While Mississippi's poverty rate isn't as high as Louisiana's, the state has the lowest median income of all 50 states, putting it at the bottom of the list.
Median household income: $43,441
Poverty rate: 19.5%
- Read more:
- The 15 states where $1 million in retirement savings will last the longest
- 3 climate change experts explain why wildfires and melting glaciers aren't stopping them from saving for retirement
- High-income Americans in their 30s and 40s are flocking to these 13 US states
- 15 places in the US where it costs nearly twice as much to rent a house during high season
Popular Right Now
Advertisement