Annual Income Per Person by US State [Map]
Top earning states average $80k-$90k per person while lower earning states earn closer to $50k-$60k annually, highlighting some income disparity across the US.
Hello Eggsters — Today we’re looking at the annual income per person, on a state by state basis across the US. We’re looking to understand the income gap across the US by state.
Below, you’ll find a map of 2024 per capita personal income by state, straight from the St. Louis Fed.
Chart of the Week
Personal Income Per Person by US State, 2024.
This map shows the average income per person in that state. It’s not your paycheck exactly, but the average slice if every dollar of income was cut evenly across the population.
Cracking It Open
The High Flyers: Washington, Massachusetts, New York, and California soar above $80k per person. D.C. is the real outlier, topping $100k, thanks to its mix of high federal salaries and finance jobs.
Middle of the Pack: States like Colorado, Illinois, and Virginia sit around the national average (~$72k). Solid earners, not flashy.
The Strugglers: Mississippi, Arkansas, and West Virginia sit closer to $55k per person. That’s nearly half what Connecticut residents see on average.
Why It Matters
Per person income shows the capacity of households to spend, save, and invest. It doesn’t tell us about inequality (your neighbor’s slice may be bigger than yours), but it’s a useful temperature check of the state economy.
High per person income can fuel housing markets, education, and health spending. Low per person income can hold growth back.
So, Eggsters — if all income were sliced like a pie, would you be happy with your state’s average slice? Or are you eyeing a bigger piece somewhere else?