What state has the strongest economy?

California has the strongest economy by total size (GDP), with over $4 trillion, making it the largest sub-national economy globally, followed by Texas and New York. However, other states like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Massachusetts often rank high in economic momentum, growth, and business environments, showing strong performance beyond just size.

Which state is no. 1 in economy?

California is consistently ranked as the number one state economy in the U.S. by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with Texas and New York typically following as the next largest economies, though rankings for other top spots can shift slightly depending on the specific economic metric and year (e.g., job growth, business environment). California's massive GDP makes it a global economic powerhouse, comparable to major countries. 

What is the top 5 richest state?

The top 5 richest U.S. states vary slightly by metric (GDP vs. Income) but consistently feature Massachusetts, California, New York, Washington, and New Jersey/Maryland, often with Massachusetts leading in per capita income/GDP, California in total GDP, and others like Maryland, Utah, and New Hampshire ranking high in median household income. 

What is the best state to live in financially?

The best state for you financially depends on your priorities, but top contenders for affordability and low taxes include Mississippi, West Virginia, Alabama, and Tennessee, while Wyoming, Texas, and Florida shine for tax-free retirement, and Utah leads in overall fiscal stability. States like Massachusetts offer higher wages but higher costs, balancing overall financial health versus pure low-cost living. 

Which U.S. state is the most financially stable?

Utah, North Dakota, and Florida are often cited as top contenders for financial stability, with Utah frequently ranking #1 for overall fiscal health due to low debt and strong cash reserves, while North Dakota excels in taxpayer surplus, and Florida demonstrates strong performance despite population size. Other strong states include South Dakota, Wyoming, Delaware, and New York, though rankings vary by specific metrics like resident finances (e.g., South Dakota, Vermont) versus state budget health (e.g., Utah, North Dakota). 

World’s Largest Economies | GDP Epic Battle (1560–2025)

Which 5 states have the highest living wage?

Top five highest living wages in the U.S.

• Washington, D.C. If you didn't see the nation's capital coming in on this list, well, you've never lived in D.C. Residents here need to pull in a whopping $67,867 per year just to afford life in the city. ...
• Hawaii. ...
• Massachusetts. ...
• Connecticut. ...
• New York. ...
• Idaho. ...
• South Dakota. ...
• West Virginia.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the ranking organization, but Massachusetts often ranks #1 overall for best states to live due to health/education (WalletHub), while Vermont frequently takes the top spot specifically for Quality of Life (CNBC) for its low crime, good air, and inclusion. Other top contenders include Idaho, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, highlighting strong showings in the Northeast and Midwest for overall livability.
 

Which states are struggling financially?

10 States Where Americans Are Struggling the Most to Cover the Basics

• Mississippi – Score: 90.2 (out of 100)
• Louisiana – Score: 80.3.
• West Virginia – Score: 77.8.
• New Mexico – Score: 74.7.
• Nevada – Score: 72.7.
• Oklahoma – Score: 71.3.
• California – Score: 70.4.
• Georgia – Score: 70.2.

What is the cheapest but safest state to live in?

The cheapest and safest states often overlap in the Midwest and South, with Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia frequently cited for low living costs (housing, groceries) and safety, while states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts rank high in overall safety but can have slightly higher costs, so a balance is key, with Mississippi often leading affordability and Iowa/Kansas offering great blends. 

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, New Mexico, North Dakota, and West Virginia.

What state is the poorest?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the poorest U.S. state, facing the highest poverty rates, lowest median household income, high child poverty, and significant food insecurity, with Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia often appearing among the poorest as well. These states struggle with lower wages, fewer high-paying jobs, and disparities in education, leading to ongoing economic challenges despite some improvements over the years, notes World Population Review.
 

What is the most expensive state to live in?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most expensive U.S. state to live in due to its island location, which drives up costs for imported goods, groceries, and electricity, with housing being particularly high; however, Massachusetts, California, and New York often follow closely behind in overall high living expenses, especially for housing, according to 2025 data. 

Which state has the most money?

Overall, in the calendar year 2024, the United States' Nominal GDP at Current Prices totaled at $29.184 trillion, as compared to $27.720 trillion in 2023. The three U.S. states with the highest GDPs were California ($4.103 trillion), Texas ($2.709 trillion), and New York ($2.297 trillion).

Which states help the economy the most?

California remains the largest state economy, responsible for 14.5% of U.S. GDP. California, Texas, New York, and Florida collectively generate over 37% of national GDP. The median U.S. state contributes roughly 1% to 2% of U.S. GDP.

Who owns over 70% of the US debt?

Who owns the most U.S. debt? Around 70-80 percent of U.S. debt is held by domestic financial actors and institutions in the United States. U.S. Treasuries represent a convenient, liquid, low-risk store of value.

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

$40,000 a year is generally not considered poverty level for a single person in the U.S. (which is around $15k-$19k depending on location for 2025), but it falls into the lower-middle income bracket, meaning it's tight and often feels like poverty or a struggle, especially with high housing costs, dependents, or in expensive cities. Whether it's "poverty" depends heavily on your location, family size, and lifestyle, but it requires careful budgeting to cover essentials like food, housing, and transport. 

Which US state is most in debt?

California has the most total state and local government debt, exceeding half a trillion dollars, but New York and Connecticut often lead in debt per capita (per person), with high amounts due to large populations and extensive local obligations like schools, while New Jersey consistently ranks as the worst financially when considering all obligations. The answer depends on whether you mean the largest total dollar amount (California) or the highest burden on each resident (New York, Connecticut).
 

What is the most difficult state to live in?

There's no single "hardest" state, as it depends on individual priorities, but recent studies often point to New Mexico, Louisiana, and West Virginia as challenging due to high poverty, poor health/education, and crime. Other contenders include Alaska for extreme cost/remoteness and Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma for overall quality of life issues like low wages and health outcomes, making life tough for different reasons. 

Which state is worth moving to?

Top states to move to often include Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Massachusetts, and Florida, depending on your priorities, with Utah shining for job growth, New Hampshire and Massachusetts for overall quality/family, and Florida for retirement, but affordability varies, with places like North Dakota and Iowa offering lower housing costs. The "best" state depends on your needs: strong economy (Utah, North Carolina), affordability (North Dakota, Iowa), family life (Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire), or retirement (Florida, Wyoming, New Hampshire). 

Which state has the lowest crime?

The state with the lowest crime rate varies slightly by report, but Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont consistently rank as having the lowest violent and overall crime rates in the U.S., with Maine often leading for lowest violent crime and Vermont or New Hampshire often topping overall safety lists due to factors like low property crime and financial security. 

Is it true Walmart is paying $15 an hour?

Yes, Walmart pays at least $14 an hour, with starting pay often reaching $15 or more, depending on the role and location, and their average hourly wage for store employees is over $17.50 as of early 2023. While some entry-level positions might start around $14, many roles, especially in distribution centers or for more experienced workers, pay well above $15/hour, with some associates earning over $20/hour or more, according to recent data. 

What is the cheapest but best state to live in?

Below is a detailed breakdown of the ten most affordable states to live in 2025:

• Arkansas. Arkansas continues to be one of the most affordable states in the U.S., especially for those looking to buy property. ...
• Mississippi. ...
• Oklahoma. ...
• New Mexico. ...
• Missouri. ...
• Tennessee. ...
• Michigan. ...
• Texas.

Is $25 an hour a livable wage?

Yes, you can live on $25 an hour ($~52k/year before taxes), but it's tight in high-cost cities and requires careful budgeting for necessities like housing (aim for ~$1,200/month or find roommates), food, and transport, with little left for savings or luxuries, especially with no benefits. In lower-cost areas, it's more manageable, but it's a "barely getting by" wage in many places, not a path to significant savings or luxury without strict frugality and potentially roommates.