US Median Household Income by State: The $58,000 Gap
The typical American household earns about $84,000 a year — but where you live changes that number dramatically. Median household income runs from about $56,000 in the lowest-income state to nearly $114,000 in the highest — a gap of roughly $58,000. This guide maps median household income across all 50 states, ranks them from highest to lowest, and explains why the gap is so wide — and why a high income doesn't always mean more money in your pocket.
What is the median U.S. household income?
The national median — the income of the household exactly in the middle — is about $84,000 in inflation-adjusted dollars. "Median" matters here: it's a better measure of the typical household than the average, which gets pulled upward by very high earners. The map above shades each state by its median, revealing a clear geography of prosperity that tracks closely with industry, education, and urbanization.
Which states have the highest incomes?
The highest median incomes are concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic — Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland and their neighbors — along with a few Western states, all places with dense, highly educated workforces and high-paying industries like tech, finance, and government. The lowest medians are in the Deep South, where wages and education levels run lower. The ranking below lists every state.
Why incomes vary so much by state
The gap reflects what each state's economy is built on. States anchored by high-wage industries and a college-educated workforce post higher medians; states reliant on lower-wage agriculture, tourism, or manufacturing post lower ones. Education is the throughline — the states with the most bachelor's degrees per capita are nearly all near the top of the income table, because skilled work commands higher pay.
Why a high income doesn't always mean more money
Here's the catch: the highest-income states are also among the most expensive. A six-figure median in a coastal state can buy less than a $70,000 income in a low-cost state once you account for housing, taxes, and everyday prices. That's why "cost of living" matters as much as the headline income number — and why people increasingly move from high-income, high-cost states to lower-cost ones where their paycheck stretches further.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in the U.S.?
About $84,000 in inflation-adjusted dollars — the income of the household exactly in the middle of the distribution.
Which state has the highest median household income?
States in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, such as Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maryland, typically rank highest. The full ranking is shown above.
Which state has the lowest median household income?
States in the Deep South, such as Mississippi and West Virginia, tend to have the lowest median household incomes.
What's the difference between median and average income?
Median is the middle household; average is the total divided by the number of households. The average is higher because very high earners pull it up, so median better reflects the typical household.
Does a higher income mean a higher standard of living?
Not always. High-income states tend to have high costs for housing and taxes, so a smaller income in a low-cost state can stretch further once cost of living is considered.