In the U.S., the average person has a median income of about $74,600. Some states have incomes above this, and some below. For the states that have the lowest incomes, the median income of those in the state was compared to the top 5% of earners and the bottom 20% to get the full picture. Each state has its own score according to that formulation. According to WalletHub, the people of these states have the lowest incomes.
1. West Virginia
With the lowest score of 12.79, this state has a median income of $52,719. The top 5% of earners make an average of 345,239, and the lowest 20% of earners make just $12,477.
2. New Mexico
This state has fallen on hard times lately, and it has a score of 14.59. The top 5% of earners make almost $352,000 while the lowest 20% earn only $11,944. The median income is $58,911.
3. Mississippi
It has a score of 17.81 and shows a wide disparity of income. The median income is just $46,880. The bottom 20% of earners earn an average of $12,168, and the top 5% earn about $377,000.
4. Maine
Maine may not have a reputation for low income, but it has a score of just 19.64. Its residents earn a median income of $79,800. The bottom 20% of workers earn an average of $13,749 while the top 5% earn $338,866.
5. Vermont
With a score of 22.18, residents of the Green Mountain State aren’t generally well-off. The lower 20% of earners average $14,477, and the top 5% average just $334,470. The median income is $89,695.
6. Louisiana
Its score is 22.52. Louisiana workers’ median income is $56,282, far below the national average. The top 5% of workers make an average of about $395,000, and the lowest 20% of earners make an average of $11,504, the lowest amount on this list.
7. Rhode Island
The smallest state has a high median income of $104,252, but it has a score of 26.14. The top 5% of earners make an average of 353,721. The bottom 20%, however, earn just $12,668.
8. Alabama
The Heart of Dixie has a score of 26.31. Its median income is just $55,480. The bottom 20% of workers earn an average of $13,242, while the top 5% average $398,584, a wide disparity.
9. Alaska
With a score of 26.83, the median income in the coldest state is almost $114,000. However, the bottom 20% of earners average 15,646, and the top 5% earn an average of just $321,634, the lowest amount on this list for the top earners.
10. Kentucky
With its 30.25 score, the income in the Bluegrass State is quite a bit higher than in Alaska. The median income is only $55,629, but the top 5% earn an average of almost $412,000. The lowest 20% average $13,800.
11. Arkansas
The Natural State has a score of 30.68 and a large income disparity. The median yearly income is $51,032. The bottom 20% earn about $14,069, and the top 5% earn an annual income of $416,224.
12. Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a median income far below the national average with $57,215. The top 5% of earners bring home more than $405,000 while the bottom 20% earn an average of $15,205. It has an overall score of 31.72.
13. Oregon
Oregon has a relatively high median income of $91,100, but it has a score of 32.20. Its lowest 20% of earners average $14,720 a year while the top 5% average about $377,400 annually.
14. South Carolina
This seaside state has a relatively low median income of $62,909. The state scores a 32.38 for the comparison between its average income, the top 5% earning $412,771, and the bottom 20% earning about $14,000.
15. Montana
Montana has a score of 32.49. The top 5% of earners average $395,720, while the bottom 20% bring home an average of $15,337. The median income of the state is $68,937.
