Do you wanna work and live in the wealthy states in the USA? According to different statistics, the rank of the top ten wealthiest states in the US varies. The blog shows you two ranks of them: one is of median income, and the other is of per capita GDP. Let’s start to explore these states together!
List of Wealthy States in the USA
Based on the statistics of household median income from the US Census Bureau, we offer you a list of the top ten wealthiest states in the US, including the number of the household median income and the percentage of people holding bachelor’s degrees or higher (National: 36.2%) and those below the poverty line (National: 12.5%).
List of Wealthy States in the USA | |||
---|---|---|---|
State | Median Income | Bachelor’s Degrees or Higher | Below the Poverty Line |
Massachusetts | $99,858 | 47.8% | 10.4% |
New Jersey | $99,781 | 43.8% | 9.7% |
Maryland | $99,678 | 43.7% | 9.5% |
New Hampshire | $96,838 | 40.7% | 7.2% |
California | $95,521 | 37.5% | 12.0% |
Hawaii | $95,322 | 37.0% | 10.1% |
Washington | $94,605 | 40.50% | 10.30% |
Utah | $93,421 | 38.40% | 9.00% |
Colorado | $92,911 | 46.40% | 9.30% |
Connecticut | $91,665 | 42.90% | 10.30% |

Wealthy States in the USA: Median Income
Having learning about the list of the richest state in USA, let’s take a closer look on these prominent cities, exploring their characteristics and uniqueness in this section.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts, located in the New England region of the Northeastern United States, is the richest state in the USA. It boasts a rich culture, high-quality education and high-tech industries; it’s home to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, attracting talents from around the world. Besides, it took a leading role in biotechnology and medical treatment, contributing to innovation and creativity for all. Its proportion of people holding bachelor’s degrees or higher is the highest among all American states, showing that many residents are well-educated. All these factors make it the answer to the question, “What is the richest state in the United States?”
New Jersey
New Jersey, nicknamed the Garden State, is the second richest state in America. Between New York and Philadelphia, it benefits from the metropolises, attracts numerous residents with high incomes, and forms a convenient transportation system. It’s dominated by finance and pharmacy and is home to many headquarters of large multinational enterprises, like Johnson & Johnson and Merck, which provide many employment opportunities, making it a wealthy state in the USA.

Maryland
Maryland, recognized as a “Free State”, is adjacent to Washington DC. As one of the wealthiest states in the US, it boasts many federal organizations and high-tech industries. It’s home to Johns Hopkins University, a private research university that enjoys a high reputation around the globe. The Chesapeake Bay and continuous mountains bring more charm to the local scenery, which means locals can easily access the combination of natural beauty and urban convenience.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire, a wealthy state in the USA, is in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. The residents live happily because of the high income and low tax, though the state is not large. In addition, they can enjoy various outdoor activities and live safely with low crime rates. According to the survey, approximately 80% of the locals work in promising fields in New Hampshire. And it’s near Boston, leading to many commuters living here.

California
California, among the richest states in the United States of America, is designated “The Golden State”. It’s home to Silicon Valley, where there are a wealth of top technology companies and start-ups, making it a centre for technological innovation. In addition, the film and television industry and financial industry contribute to local prosperity, which attracts numerous tourists and offers an abundance of employment opportunities. Also, California pioneer American tourism and global sectors, like technology and entertainment.
Hawaii
What state is the wealthiest in America? Many would say “Hawaii”. It, like a pearl shining on the Pacific Ocean, benefits from the national defence industry and agriculture. You can live with a balance of high income and high cost and enjoy the excellent culture, comfortable climate and pleasing environment. Its tourism, the local pillar industry, is an important source of income.

Washington
Washington, a wealthy state in the USA, is known for its innovative economy and fabulous scenery. It has 17 Fortune 500 companies, like Amazon and Microsoft and its economic centre, Seattle, draws a large number of talents. Moreover, its biotechnology, clean energy, and aerospace contribute to the increase in the median household income. However, the house prices are higher than the average, especially in the central parts, leading to much economic pressure on the locals.
Utah
Thanks to the strong technology industry and low unemployment rate, Utah has become a rich American state and is praised as Silicon Slopes, a counterpart to Silicon Valley. It has a friendly business environment and one of the lowest enterprise taxes in the US. It’s home to many outstanding companies, including Adobe, Qualtrics and Ancestry.com. What’s more, compared with California, it has a lower operation cost, which is good for companies and start-ups. Meanwhile, it has many educational institutions, like Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, fostering talents in various fields.

Colorado
Colorado is one of the most wealthy states in America. As a hot place for outdoor activity lovers, it’s famous for its healthy lifestyle and charming environment, like the Rocky Mountain National Park. It takes the leading role in new energy and offers professional service for all. In addition, it boasts the industrial cluster of aerospace and federal research centres, including the US National Center for Atmospheric Research and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Connecticut
According to the list, Connecticut is the 10th wealthiest state in the US. It has excellent fields in finance, insurance and manufacturing. The beautiful coastal lines, historic towns and high-level education system make it an ideal place for work and life. With Yale University and other colleges, it offers high-quality education for students from around the world.

Wealthy States in the USA: Per Capita GDP
When measuring wealthy states in the USA, GDP per capita is crucial. It reflects the average distribution of economic output per resident in the area. Generally speaking, a higher GDP per capita indicates a more developed economy, higher income levels for residents, greater purchasing power, and a relatively better quality of life.
List of Wealthy States in the USA: Per Capita GDP | |
---|---|
State Name | Per Capita GDP |
Washington | 263,220 |
New York | 117,332 |
Massachusetts | 110,561 |
Washington | 108,468 |
California | 104,916 |
Connecticut | 100,235 |
Delaware | 98,055 |
North Dakota | 95,982 |
Alaska | 95,147 |
Nebraska | 93,145 |

Conclusion of Wealthy States in the USA
Though the ranking of wealthy states in the USA are different due to diverse measurement approaches, you can still make reasonable decisions according to the forms. No matter which state you choose, what remains constant is that each state offers its own unique advantages, blending economic opportunity with quality of life. From bustling urban centers to breathtaking natural landscapes, the US delivers both prosperity and living excellence in diverse regional packages.
FAQ of Wealthy States in the USA
Which is the wealthiest state in the US?
Massachusetts is the richest state in the USA. It boasts a rich culture, high-quality education and high-tech industries; it’s home to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, attracting talents from around the world.
What are the 10 richest state?
List of Wealthy States in the USA | |||
---|---|---|---|
State | Median Income | Bachelor’s Degrees or Higher | Below the Poverty Line |
Massachusetts | $99,858 | 47.8% | 10.4% |
New Jersey | $99,781 | 43.8% | 9.7% |
Maryland | $99,678 | 43.7% | 9.5% |
New Hampshire | $96,838 | 40.7% | 7.2% |
California | $95,521 | 37.5% | 12.0% |
Hawaii | $95,322 | 37.0% | 10.1% |
Washington | $94,605 | 40.50% | 10.30% |
Utah | $93,421 | 38.40% | 9.00% |
Colorado | $92,911 | 46.40% | 9.30% |
Connecticut | $91,665 | 42.90% | 10.30% |
Which state has the richest people in the USA?
When measuring wealth by billionaire count, California emerges as America’s wealthiest state with 186 billionaires, far surpassing others. New York follows with 135 billionaires, while Florida (78) and Texas (73) complete the top four. Other notable states include Illinois (23), Massachusetts (22), Georgia (18), and Pennsylvania (18). This distribution highlights how tech (California), finance (New York), and tax-friendly policies (Florida/Texas) create concentrated wealth hubs across the nation.
Which US state makes the most money?
California holds the distinction of being the U.S. state with the highest gross domestic product, boasting an economic output of $4.1 trillion – the largest contribution to the national economy among all states.