Average Income by State (2026)
Compare average household income across all 50 US states. See which states have the highest and lowest median incomes in 2026.
Top 5 Highest
Top 5 Lowest
Regional Averages
All 50 States — Ranked
Sorted from highest to lowest. The amber line shows the national average ($75,150).
Source: Census Bureau ACS, BLS (2024–2025 estimates). Values are approximate and for educational purposes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average income in the United States?
The median household income in the US is approximately $75,150 as of recent Census Bureau data. This means half of all US households earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is higher — around $105,000 — because high earners pull the average up.
Which state has the highest average income?
Maryland has the highest median household income at approximately $90,200, followed by New Jersey (~$89,700), Massachusetts (~$89,600), California (~$84,900), and Hawaii (~$84,600). High incomes in these states are often offset by high costs of living.
Which state has the lowest average income?
Mississippi has the lowest median household income at approximately $48,600, followed by West Virginia (~$51,600), Arkansas (~$52,100), New Mexico (~$53,600), and Louisiana (~$54,800).
Does a higher state income mean a better standard of living?
Not necessarily. States with high incomes (like California, New York, and Massachusetts) also have high costs of living, particularly housing. When adjusted for cost of living, some lower-income states in the Midwest and South offer comparable or better purchasing power.
How does the average income differ from median income?
Median income is the midpoint — half earn more, half earn less. Average (mean) income is the total income divided by the number of households. The average is typically 30–40% higher than the median because high earners pull it up. Economists prefer median as a more representative measure of typical income.
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