Which states bring in the most money?

California, Texas, and New York consistently bring in the most money, leading in economic output (GDP) and state tax revenue, driven by large populations and robust economies, with Florida also a major contributor; however, states like Massachusetts, Washington, and DC can generate more per person due to high-income industries or federal presence, notes USAFacts, Statista, and Wikipedia.

What state contributes the most money?

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.

What are the 10 richest states?

The top 10 richest U.S. states, typically ranked by median household income or GDP, consistently feature Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, California, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Washington, Colorado, and Utah, with Connecticut often rounding out the list, reflecting high incomes and strong economies, though rankings vary slightly by metric and source. 

Which states benefit most from federal funding?

Using this metric, Alaska had the highest rate of federal funding in 2021 at roughly $8,628 per person, a whole 26.5% more than the second-highest state, Rhode Island, which received $6,821. They're followed by New Mexico ($6,748), Wyoming ($6,718), and Delaware ($6,011).

What are the three welfare states?

The three main welfare state models, defined by Gøsta Esping-Andersen in his work The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism, are the Liberal, Conservative (Corporatist/Christian Democratic), and Social Democratic, differing in how they provide welfare, market involvement, and social equality goals, with examples like the US (Liberal), Germany (Conservative), and Sweden (Social Democratic).
 

10 States Where You Can Earn More Money.

What state has the strongest economy?

California has the largest state economy by far, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over $4 trillion, making it comparable to major world economies like Germany and Japan, while Texas, New York, and Florida follow as the next largest economies in the U.S. However, other metrics, like economic momentum, often highlight faster-growing states in the Sun Belt, such as Florida, Texas, and North Carolina, due to population growth, incentives, and job creation.
 

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. 

What is the most expensive state to live in?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the most expensive U.S. state to live in, primarily due to its remote island location requiring costly shipping for most goods, leading to significantly higher prices for housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation, often reaching nearly double the national average. Following Hawaii, other high-cost states usually include California, Massachusetts, New York, and Alaska, driven by housing markets and isolated supply chains. 

What state is 80% owned by the government?

Did you know that over 80% of the state of Nevada is owned by the federal government? Land expansion is always a hot topic and unfortunately turns political.

What is the most heavily taxed state in the United States?

States with the heaviest tax burden:

• Hawaii: 13.9%
• New York: 13.6%
• Vermont: 11.5%
• California: 11%
• Maine: 10.6%
• New Jersey: 10.3%
• Illinois: 10.2%
• Rhode Island: 10.1%

What state owns 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 U.S. state is growing the fastest?

Florida and Texas consistently rank as the fastest-growing states in the U.S. by population, especially in recent years (2023-2024), driven by significant net migration and immigration, though Utah and Idaho often lead in percentage growth over longer periods, fueled by natural increases and migration. Recent data highlights Florida's top spot in overall numeric growth and high percentage gains, with Texas close behind, while Utah remains a leader in long-term percentage growth.
 

What is the #1 richest county in America?

Summary. As of 2020, Loudoun County, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. in Virginia has a median household income of $147,111, the highest of any county in the nation.

What states give more than they take?

States that pay more in federal taxes than they receive in federal spending are known as "donor states," with major examples including California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas, while states receiving more than they pay are often called "recipient states," like New Mexico and Kentucky, creating a significant fiscal balance for the nation. These differences arise from factors like income levels, population, and corporate tax structures, with large economies contributing more overall, while some smaller states benefit disproportionately from federal programs, as shown in this map from USAFacts.
 

What state is #1 in poverty?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the U.S. state with the highest poverty rate, often followed closely by states like Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Kentucky, though rankings shift slightly by year and data source (Official vs. Supplemental Poverty Measure). Mississippi struggles with low median incomes, low educational attainment, and high rates of child poverty, making it the poorest state by several metrics, according to World Population Review and other sources.
 

Where do poor people live in the USA?

Those with the most severe poverty are found in poor areas of the Southeast, including the Mississippi Delta and Appalachia, as well as on Native American lands. Pockets of high poverty are increasingly found in other regions, such as nonmetro areas of the Southwest and northern sections of the Midwest.

Which US state makes the least money?

The lowest income states in the U.S., based on recent median household income data, consistently include Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with Mississippi often having the absolute lowest income and highest poverty rate, followed by states like Kentucky, Alabama, and New Mexico, reflecting ongoing economic challenges and lower opportunities in the South and Appalachia.
 

What is the #1 best state to live in?

There's no single "best" state, as it depends on priorities, but recent studies from WalletHub (Aug 2025) and U.S. News (May 2025) frequently place Massachusetts, Idaho, New Jersey, and Utah at the top for overall quality of life, balancing strong economies, good education, healthcare, and low crime. Massachusetts excels in education/healthcare, while Idaho and Utah are praised for economic growth and stability, and New Hampshire for safety. 

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.

What is the top 5 richest state?

The top 5 richest states often depends on the metric (total economy vs. individual wealth), but by total economic output (GDP), it's consistently California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois, while by wealth per person (GDP per capita or median income), states like Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, and Connecticut rank highest, alongside DC, highlighting strong tech, finance, and high-income sectors.
 

What states consume the most welfare?

Puerto Rico has the highest share of U.S. households on welfare at 47%. New Mexico (20%) has the highest share amongst the states. Utah and Wyoming tie for the lowest share at 6%.

What state has the least welfare?

Here's a look at the total public welfare expenditures in every state, ranked from lowest to highest:

• Wyoming: $843M.
• South Dakota: $1.1B.
• North Dakota: $1.6B.
• Montana: $1.8B.
• Vermont: $1.8B.
• Alaska: $2.2B.
• Delaware: $2.4B.
• Idaho: $2.5B.

Who started welfare?

Welfare in the U.S. began in its modern, large-scale form with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal during the Great Depression, culminating in the landmark Social Security Act of 1935, which established federal programs like old-age insurance and unemployment benefits, though the concept of state-supported care has older roots. Later, President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society in the 1960s significantly expanded welfare with programs like Food Stamps (SNAP).