Which state has the lowest poverty rate?

Asked by: Mr. Davonte Sipes V  |  Last update: July 15, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (17 votes)

New Hampshire frequently ranks as the state with the lowest poverty rate in the U.S. Based on recent data, New Hampshire's poverty rate is approximately 4.4% to 7.2%, consistently placing it at the top of the nation for the lowest poverty levels.

What US state is #1 in poverty?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national poverty rate was 12.7% in 2023, up from 12.4% in 2022. These states and territory have the highest percentages of poverty in the country: Puerto Rico, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New York and Tennessee.

Is $40,000 a year considered poor?

$40,000 a year is generally considered a low-income or "working poor" salary in the United States, as it falls below the national average salary of roughly $63,000. While it is above the federal poverty line for a single person, it often requires significant budgeting, especially in high-cost areas, making it challenging to live comfortably.

Which are the 10 poorest states?

Based on 2026 data regarding poverty rates and median household income, the poorest states are concentrated primarily in the South and Southwest. Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia consistently rank at the bottom. These states often share challenges like lower-paying jobs and high poverty percentages.

Which state has the lowest poverty percentage?

Kerala has the lowest poverty ratio with 0.71%.

US States by Poverty Rate - Top US States by Poverty Rate - Poverty Rate Comparison

34 related questions found

What is the top 10 poorest?

What is the poorest country in the world? [2026 Updated]

  • South Sudan ($455 | GDP-PPP per Capita)
  • Burundi ($916 | GDP-PPP per Capita)
  • Central African Republic ($1,123 | GDP-PPP per Capita)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo ($1,552 | GDP-PPP per Capita)
  • Mozambique ($1,649 | GDP-PPP per Capita)

Why are some Indian states poorer?

The industrial and mining sectors have not been inclusive enough to help the economically vulnerable despite their contribution to the state's GDP. Tribal areas of the state, which have been neglected in terms of development for decades, also contribute to the high rates of poverty.

What is the wealthiest state in the US?

Massachusetts is the wealthiest state in the U.S. based on median household income, which stands at roughly $104,828.

Where do most poor people live in America?

The poorest people in America are concentrated heavily in the South and Southwest, with Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia consistently ranking as the states with the highest poverty rates. Puerto Rico is the poorest U.S. territory (approx. 40% poverty), while Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, and the U.S.-Mexico border are major regions of persistent poverty.

What state has no billionaires?

As of 2024, there are 756 billionaires living in 43 of the 50 US states or Washington, D.C. The only states with no billionaire residents are Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, North Dakota, and West Virginia.

Can I buy a home if I make $40,000 a year?

If you earn around $40,000 per year, the kind of house you can afford typically depends on your debt, down payment, and local housing costs, but generally, you could afford a home mortgage loan of around $120,000.

What is a good retirement income per year?

A good annual retirement income is generally considered to be 70% to 80% of your pre-retirement income to maintain your standard of living, which for many U.S. households often lands around $50,000 to $80,000 annually. However, in 2026, the median household income for those 65+ is roughly $47,000–$56,680, with individual needs heavily dictated by debt, housing, and health costs.

Which city is the poorest in the USA?

Flint, Michigan, frequently ranks as the poorest city in America based on median household income, which hovers around $33,141, with approximately 41.1% of its residents living below the poverty line.

Which U.S. state makes the least money?

Based on 2026 data, Mississippi is consistently ranked as the lowest-income state in the U.S., with a median household income of roughly $44,966 to $52,719 depending on the source. Other states with the lowest median incomes and highest poverty rates include West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico.

Is Louisiana a poor state?

Yes, Louisiana is statistically one of the poorest states in the U.S., ranking among the top five states nationwide for the highest rates of poverty and lowest median household incomes.

What are the 4 types of poverty?

There are four kinds of poverty typically discussed: absolute, relative, situational, and generational. Absolute poverty is when one is unable to meet basic needs due to a lack of resources. Basic needs include food, clean water, and safe housing.

Which state is best for poor people?

For people with limited income, top states for affordability and savings in 2026 include North Dakota, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, which offer the lowest costs of living, inexpensive housing, and no or low state income taxes. Specifically, North Dakota excels for savings, while Missouri and Mississippi are top choices for the overall lowest expenses.

Are most U.S. citizens poor?

No, most Americans are not considered poor by official government standards. As of 2023, the U.S. Census Bureau reported an official poverty rate of 11.1%, or 36.8 million people, which is not a majority. However, a significant portion of the population lives in or near poverty, with millions more classified as low-income.

What state has the most billionaires?

California has the most billionaires of any U.S. state, with roughly 199 resident billionaires. Anchored by the massive technology fortunes of Silicon Valley and the entertainment industry, the Golden State accounts for about a quarter of all billionaires in the United States.

Which US state is growing the fastest?

South Carolina named fastest growing state in the U.S., according to Census estimates

  • South Carolina: 1.46%
  • Idaho: 1.44%
  • North Carolina: 1.32%
  • Texas: 1.25%
  • Utah: 1.03%

What is the most expensive state to live in?

Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in across the U.S., with a cost of living roughly 85% to 90% higher than the national average. Its isolated island location means everyday items and utilities are expensive, and it consistently features the nation's most unaffordable housing market.

Is India wealthier than the USA?

The country ranks 4th globally, following the U.S. (905,413 HNWIs), China (471,634 HNWIs), and Japan (122,119 HNWIs). India's billionaire population has grown by 12% year- on-year in 2024, now totaling 191 billionaires, with 26 joining the ranks just last year.

What is the no. 1 poorest country?

Based on 2025–2026 data, South Sudan is widely ranked as the #1 poorest country in the world. With a GDP per capita of approximately $716 to $251 (varying by metric), it is heavily impacted by civil conflict, political instability, and massive food insecurity.

Which state is no. 1 in poverty?

Based on 2023–2025 data, Louisiana often ranks #1 for the highest poverty rate among U.S. states, with about 18.9% of its population in poverty. Mississippi, New Mexico, and West Virginia consistently follow, frequently trading top spots. However, California is also identified as having the highest rate in some reports when factoring in high living costs, and Mississippi holds the lowest median household income.