Income/Wages
Percentage of Households Making Over $250,000 by State 2026
% of Households Making Over 250k
5%
10%
15%
20%
State | % of Households Making Over 250k 2025↓ | Gross Earnings of Top 1% 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | District of Columbia | 21% | $999,406 |
 | Massachusetts | 18% | $1.12 Mn |
 | New Jersey | 17% | $787,390 |
 | California | 15% | $856,580 |
 | Connecticut | 15% | $587,318 |
 | Maryland | 15% | $791,730 |
 | Colorado | 13% | $634,360 |
 | New Hampshire | 13% | $612,842 |
 | New York | 13% | $706,228 |
 | Virginia | 13% | $667,503 |
 | Washington | 13% | $618,155 |
 | Illinois | 12% | $646,004 |
 | Rhode Island | 12% | $760,350 |
 | Utah | 12% | $885,101 |
 | Alaska | 11% | $902,002 |
 | Hawaii | 11% | $547,919 |
 | Minnesota | 11% | $784,463 |
 | Nebraska | 11% | $794,471 |
 | Kansas | 10% | $563,104 |
 | Pennsylvania | 10% | $707,750 |
 | Texas | 10% | $645,402 |
 | Wisconsin | 10% | $516,018 |
 | Arizona | 9% | $632,160 |
 | Delaware | 9% | $706,750 |
 | Florida | 9% | $729,221 |
 | Nevada | 9% | $697,499 |
 | Ohio | 9% | $626,002 |
 | Oregon | 9% | $511,622 |
 | Georgia | 8% | $490,500 |
 | Idaho | 8% | $447,465 |
 | Maine | 8% | $758,289 |
 | Michigan | 8% | $514,062 |
 | North Carolina | 8% | $555,880 |
 | South Carolina | 8% | $617,629 |
 | Indiana | 7% | $474,876 |
 | Iowa | 7% | $452,200 |
 | Louisiana | 7% | $567,002 |
 | Missouri | 7% | $444,935 |
 | Montana | 7% | $535,232 |
 | New Mexico | 7% | $503,000 |
 | North Dakota | 7% | $525,327 |
 | South Dakota | 7% | $637,596 |
 | Tennessee | 7% | $589,650 |
 | Vermont | 7% | $503,048 |
 | Wyoming | 7% | $652,630 |
 | Alabama | 6% | $608,527 |
 | Arkansas | 6% | $581,782 |
 | Kentucky | 6% | $450,000 |
 | Oklahoma | 6% | $789,315 |
 | West Virginia | 5% | $417,440 |
 | Mississippi | 3% | $331,896 |
The data on the percentage of households making over $250,000 reveals interesting insights into income distribution across different states. At the top of the list are Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, where approximately 13% of households earn over $250,000 annually. These states are known for their thriving economies, high-income industries, and affluent neighborhoods, contributing to their higher percentage of wealthy households.
On the other hand, states like Alabama, Mississippi, and New Mexico have the lowest percentage of households making over $250,000, at around 3%. These states often face economic challenges such as lower job opportunities and wage levels compared to the national average. However, it’s essential to note that these states may have lower costs of living, which can impact income levels differently.
Interestingly, California, despite being known for its high cost of living, ranks lower on the list with 10% of households earning over $250,000. This highlights the disparity within states, where certain regions or metropolitan areas may have significantly higher incomes compared to others.
