US states by highest median household income
The state with the highest median household income is District of Columbia at $108,210 (US Census Bureau ACS 2023), followed by Massachusetts ($99,858) and New Jersey ($99,781). Several top-income states are also expensive, so the table below pairs each income with its BEA price level (US = 100) so you can see buying power at a glance.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS median household income. Data as of June 2026.
All 51 states by median household income
| # | State | Median income | Price level (US=100) | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $108,210 | 112.8 | +12.8% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $99,858 | 109.4 | +9.4% |
| 3 | New Jersey | $99,781 | 108.8 | +8.8% |
| 4 | Maryland | $98,678 | 105.0 | +5.0% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $96,838 | 107.6 | +7.6% |
| 6 | California | $95,521 | 112.5 | +12.5% |
| 7 | Hawaii | $95,322 | 110.8 | +10.8% |
| 8 | Washington | $94,605 | 109.8 | +9.8% |
| 9 | Utah | $93,421 | 94.5 | -5.5% |
| 10 | Colorado | $92,911 | 102.3 | +2.3% |
| 11 | Connecticut | $91,665 | 106.4 | +6.4% |
| 12 | Virginia | $89,931 | 102.1 | +2.1% |
| 13 | Alaska | $88,121 | 102.0 | +2.0% |
| 14 | Minnesota | $85,086 | 97.7 | -2.3% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $84,972 | 104.7 | +4.7% |
| 16 | Delaware | $82,174 | 98.0 | -2.0% |
| 17 | New York | $82,095 | 107.6 | +7.6% |
| 18 | Vermont | $81,211 | 101.1 | +1.1% |
| 19 | Illinois | $80,306 | 101.3 | +1.3% |
| 20 | Oregon | $80,160 | 106.6 | +6.6% |
| 21 | Arizona | $77,315 | 99.9 | -0.1% |
| 22 | North Dakota | $76,525 | 88.7 | -11.3% |
| 23 | Nevada | $76,364 | 96.4 | -3.6% |
| 24 | Texas | $75,780 | 97.5 | -2.5% |
| 25 | Idaho | $74,942 | 91.8 | -8.2% |
| 26 | Georgia | $74,632 | 95.8 | -4.2% |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $74,631 | 92.3 | -7.7% |
| 28 | Nebraska | $74,590 | 89.8 | -10.2% |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $73,824 | 96.2 | -3.8% |
| 30 | Maine | $73,733 | 100.8 | +0.8% |
| 31 | Florida | $73,311 | 102.1 | +2.1% |
| 32 | Wyoming | $72,415 | 91.9 | -8.1% |
| 33 | South Dakota | $71,810 | 88.0 | -12.0% |
| 34 | Iowa | $71,433 | 88.4 | -11.6% |
| 35 | Montana | $70,804 | 90.3 | -9.7% |
| 36 | North Carolina | $70,804 | 94.2 | -5.8% |
| 37 | Kansas | $70,333 | 90.0 | -10.0% |
| 38 | Indiana | $69,477 | 91.8 | -8.2% |
| 39 | Michigan | $69,183 | 93.4 | -6.6% |
| 40 | Missouri | $68,545 | 91.1 | -8.9% |
| 41 | South Carolina | $67,804 | 93.6 | -6.4% |
| 42 | Ohio | $67,769 | 91.5 | -8.5% |
| 43 | Tennessee | $67,631 | 91.8 | -8.2% |
| 44 | New Mexico | $62,268 | 91.0 | -9.0% |
| 45 | Alabama | $62,212 | 87.8 | -12.2% |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $62,138 | 88.8 | -11.2% |
| 47 | Kentucky | $61,118 | 89.4 | -10.6% |
| 48 | Arkansas | $58,700 | 86.6 | -13.4% |
| 49 | Louisiana | $58,229 | 90.6 | -9.4% |
| 50 | West Virginia | $55,948 | 89.2 | -10.8% |
| 51 | Mississippi | $54,203 | 87.3 | -12.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS median household income (2023); BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP), all items (2022). Data as of June 2026.
Income is only half the story
A bigger salary buys less in an expensive state. The states near the top of this list cluster in the Northeast and West, where price levels also run high — so income and cost of living move together. To turn the two numbers into real buying power, run a salary through the cost-of-living calculator, or see the most expensive and cheapest states.
Frequently asked questions
Which US state has the highest median household income?
District of Columbia has the highest median household income at $108,210 (US Census Bureau ACS 2023), ahead of Massachusetts ($99,858) and New Jersey ($99,781).
Does the highest-income state have the best buying power?
Not necessarily. Many top-income states are also among the most expensive, so high pay is partly offset by high prices. District of Columbia, for instance, has a price level of 112.8 (+12.8% vs US). Compare income against price level — or use the salary calculator — to judge real buying power.
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Last updated: 2026-06-18