The typical American household earns $61,000 a year. Here are 15 states where the typical resident earns even less.

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%

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%

Oklahoma's median household income is far lower than the national average.

Median household income: $55,006

Poverty rate: 13.8%

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%

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%

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%

Kentucky's high poverty rate and low incomes put the Bluegrass State at number eight.

Median household income: $51,348

Poverty rate: 16.4%

Alabama's poverty rate is lower than Kentucky's, but so is the median income.

Median household income: $51,113

Poverty rate: 15.8%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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%

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