Ever dream about getting a raise without actually changing jobs? π
Well, according to a new study, sometimes all you have to do is move across a state line. ππ¨
Researchers analyzed income data across the country, looking at things like:
π΅ Average salaries of the top 5% of earners
π Average income of the bottom 20%
π Median household income
And after crunching the numbers, they ranked every state from highest income to lowest.
π The Top 5 States for Income
The states where people earn the most overall are:
π₯ Virginia
π₯ New York
π₯ New Jersey
π Washington
π Connecticut
Not bad if youβre looking to pad that bank account! π°
π Rounding Out the Top 10
The rest of the Top 10 includes:
6οΈβ£ Utah
7οΈβ£ Colorado
8οΈβ£ Minnesota
9οΈβ£ Illinois
π Massachusetts
And if youβre wondering about some of the biggest states:
β Texas came in at #11
β California landed at #13
β Florida ranked #15
Not too shabby, Sunshine State! π΄βοΈ
π¬ The States With the Lowest Incomes
On the other end of the list, the states with the lowest income levels were:
π West Virginia (#50)
π New Mexico
π Mississippi
π Louisiana
π Maine
π Rhode Island
π Alabama
π Vermont
π Kentucky
π Alaska
West Virginia finished at the bottom of the rankings overall.
β A Funny Theory About Utah...
One of the more amusing observations from the report?
Utah finished sixth overall.
Some people jokingly point out that members of the stateβs large Mormon population tend to avoid coffee, which means theyβre not dropping $8 a day on fancy lattes. βπ
Weβre not saying thatβs the secret to financial success...
But your bank account might appreciate skipping that third iced coffee this week. π
π€ Final Thought
Of course, income isnβt everything. Cost of living, housing prices, taxes, and quality of life all play a huge role in how far your paycheck actually goes.
Still, if youβve ever wondered where Americans are bringing home the biggest paychecks, now you know. π΅π
Would you move to another state for a bigger salary? π€π°π