10 Best States for Economic Opportunity

Median household income nationally reached $68,703 in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau – the highest it has ever recorded.

But household income varies within and among states. In Mississippi, the median income is $45,792, while in Maryland, it reaches nearly $87,000.

States vary significantly on poverty rates, food insecurity and income inequality as well, the other three metrics used in the 2021 Best States rankings by U.S. News to determine which states have the most economic opportunity.

Here are the top 10 states for economic opportunity:

Median household income: $77,127
Poverty rate: 9.3%
Food-insecure households: 10.2%

Colorado has the seventh-lowest poverty rate, and the ninth-highest median household income.

Learn more about Colorado.

Median household income: $78,687
Poverty rate: 9.8%
Food-insecure households: 9.9%

Washington has the seventh-highest median household income, and the ninth-lowest poverty rate.

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Median household income: $75,463
Poverty rate: 10.0%
Food-insecure households: 10.7%

Alaska has the fifth-lowest Gini index, meaning its income inequality is among the lowest in the U.S.

Learn more about Alaska.

Median household income: $85,843
Poverty rate: 9.4%
Food-insecure households: 8.4%

Massachusetts has the second-highest median household income, though it ranks 44th overall for its Gini index score, meaning it has high income inequality.

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Median household income: $85,751
Poverty rate: 9.2%
Food-insecure households: 7.7%

New Jersey has the second-lowest rate of food insecurity and the third-highest household income.

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Median household income: $86,738
Poverty rate: 9.0%
Food-insecure households: 10.1%

Maryland has the highest median household income in the nation.

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Median household income: $75,780
Poverty rate: 8.9%
Food-insecure households: 10.7%

Utah boasts the nation’s lowest Gini index score, meaning it has the least income inequality.

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Median household income: $74,593
Poverty rate: 9.0%
Food-insecure households: 8.3%

Minnesota has the third-lowest poverty rate in the country, and the fourth-lowest food insecurity rate.

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Median household income: $83,102
Poverty rate: 9.3%
Food-insecure households: 8.4%

Hawaii has the fourth-highest median household income, and the sixth-lowest poverty and food insecurity rates.

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Median household income: $77,933
Poverty rate: 7.3%
Food-insecure households: 6.6%

New Hampshire has the nation’s lowest food-insecurity rate and the nation’s lowest poverty rate, contributing to its No. 1 ranking for economic opportunity.

Learn more about New Hampshire.

1. New Hampshire
2. Hawaii
3. Minnesota
4. Utah
5. Maryland
6. New Jersey
7. Massachusetts
8. Alaska
9. Washington
10. Colorado