What state is deepest in debt?

California has the highest total state debt in raw dollars, but when adjusted for population (per capita), Connecticut, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Illinois often rank as the most indebted states, with California also high but more prominent in total liabilities. The "most in debt" depends on whether you look at total dollar amount, per capita, or debt relative to state income/GDP, with California leading total debt and others leading per capita or debt-to-income.

Which state has the highest debt?

California has the most total state and local government debt, exceeding half a trillion dollars, but when considering debt per person (per capita) or against income, states like Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, and Illinois often rank highest, with California also high in per capita figures when local debt is included. The "most debt" depends on whether you look at total dollars or the burden on residents. 

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.

What state has the worst financial problems?

The top 5 financially distressed states

According to WalletHub's analysis of nine financial metrics across all 50 states, Texas ranks as the most financially distressed state in the U.S., followed by Florida, Louisiana, Nevada and South Carolina.

Which US state is the most financially stable?

• Utah. #1 in Fiscal Stability. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• Delaware. #2 in Fiscal Stability. #18 in Best States Overall. ...
• New York. #3 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Iowa. #4 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Georgia. #5 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Nebraska. #6 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Tennessee. #7 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Idaho. #8 in Fiscal Stability.

Why Every Country Is in Debt? And Who Do They Owe?

Which US state has the strongest economy?

California has the strongest overall economy by size (largest GDP), clocking in at over $4 trillion, making it the 4th largest economy globally. However, for economic momentum or strength per person, other states like Texas, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York rank high, with Texas and Florida showing faster growth and Massachusetts often leading in metrics like GDP per capita or overall "best" rankings. 

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

Which state is least in debt?

Tennessee and Utah consistently rank as having the least state government debt per capita, often followed by states like Nebraska, Idaho, and South Dakota, with figures generally under $3,000-$4,000 per resident, indicating strong fiscal management and lower overall liabilities compared to other states, though the exact ranking varies slightly by report.
 

Which state is richest in the USA?

The richest state in the U.S. depends on the metric, but Massachusetts, Maryland, and New Jersey consistently rank at the top for median household income, while the District of Columbia (though not a state) leads in Per Capita Personal Income (PCPI), with Massachusetts and Connecticut close behind. Other contenders for wealth include Washington, California, and Hawaii, often leading in GDP or holding high income rankings.
 

Where are Americans struggling financially?

Mississippi ranks as the state where Americans struggle the most to meet their basic needs. Its 30.0% rate of households facing difficulty paying their energy bills is nearly 32% higher than the national average (22.8%).

How many Americans are 100% debt free?

Around 23% of Americans are debt free, according to the most recent data available from the Federal Reserve.

Why can't the US get out of debt?

The U.S. doesn't pay off its national debt because it consistently spends more than it collects in revenue, creating annual deficits that add to the debt, while also using debt to fund investments and maintain the global financial system, making large cuts or tax hikes politically challenging and unpopular. Instead of paying it down, the government often borrows more to service existing debt, relying on the U.S. dollar's reserve currency status and a stable economy to attract investors, but faces growing risks from escalating interest payments and potential loss of confidence. 

Who was the last president to balance the US budget?

The last president to oversee a balanced federal budget was Bill Clinton, whose administration achieved budget surpluses for four consecutive years, from fiscal years 1998 to 2001, marking the first sustained period of budget balance in decades. This rare feat was due to a combination of economic growth, spending cuts, and tax increases, and it ended with the start of the new millennium, after which deficits returned. 

What state has the worst debt-to-income ratio?

But why? Idaho is tied with Hawaii for the highest debt-to-income ratio, followed by Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, all at 1.84. One reason Idaho is seeing the highest debt ratios in the country right now is the influx of new residents since 2020.

Which state government has the highest debt?

California has the most total state and local government debt, exceeding half a trillion dollars, but when considering debt per person (per capita) or against income, states like Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Hawaii, and Illinois often rank highest, with California also high in per capita figures when local debt is included. The "most debt" depends on whether you look at total dollars or the burden on residents. 

What state has no billionaires?

As of recent reports (2024-2025), the U.S. states with no billionaire residents are Alaska, Delaware, and West Virginia, though this list can fluctuate slightly, with New Hampshire, New Mexico, and North Dakota sometimes mentioned as having zero or very few, depending on the source. 

What state has the strongest economy?

California generally has the best economy by sheer size (largest GDP), but states like Massachusetts, Washington, or Utah often rank highest in economic strength, growth, innovation, or business environment when considering factors beyond total output, with Texas, New York, and Florida also consistently leading overall economic performance. 

What is the poorest U.S. state?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the poorest U.S. state, characterized by the nation's lowest median household income, highest poverty rate (around 18-19%), high child poverty, and significant food insecurity, with states like Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Arkansas often following in poverty rankings. These states face challenges like low wages, economic disparities, and limited resources, though some, like Mississippi, show growth in GDP but struggle with low-paying jobs, as noted by this World Population Review article and this Worldatlas article. 

Which states are worse off financially?

States often cited as being in the worst financial shape, based on recent analyses (late 2025), include Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, and South Carolina (WalletHub), while reports on debt point to states like Illinois, New Jersey, Connecticut, Hawaii, and California facing significant liabilities or fiscal fragility. These rankings vary by source, focusing on different metrics like household debt, state debt per capita, pension obligations, or overall economic stability. 

Which state has the worst debt?

With $497 billion in liabilities, California had the largest state government debt as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year, the most recent year for which complete data are available.

What is the most financially stable state in the US?

Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming rank in the top five states. Top-performing states tend to have higher levels of cash, low unfunded pensions, and strong operating positions. Low debt and a strong cash position help maintain fiscal discipline.

What is the happiest state to live in?

According to WalletHub's 2025 study, Hawaii is the happiest state in the U.S., ranking first for its strong emotional/physical well-being, work environment, and community/environment factors, with residents showing high life satisfaction, low depression, and long life expectancy, followed by Maryland and Nebraska in the top three. 

Which state is the cheapest to live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to the nation's lowest housing costs, plus low property taxes and inexpensive groceries, though other contenders like West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama also offer very low overall costs, with strong affordability in housing, utilities, and transportation.