The United States has some of the highest levels of income and wealth inequality in the world. U.S. Federal Reserve data shows that the wealthiest 10% of Americans control $93.8 trillion, more than double the $40.3 trillion in the hands of the remaining 90% of Americans.
The income and wealth divide only appears to be growing wider. A January 2020 report published by the Pew Research Center found that over the last four decades, income growth for the top 5% of families by earnings has far outpaced income growth for families in lower income strata.
Income inequality varies considerably within the United States, and in some parts of the country it is far more pronounced than in others.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the widest income gaps. States are ranked by their Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality based on the distribution of income across a population on a 0 to 1 scale — 0 representing perfect equality and 1 representing the highest possible level of inequality.
Depending on the state, income inequality ranges from a Gini score of 0.427 up to 0.515. Nationwide, the Gini coefficient stands at 0.481.
Causes behind rising inequality are complex and varied. A report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research ties the rising disparity to a range of economic factors, including globalization, technological advancement, a stagnant minimum wage, and the decline of labor unions.
Click here to see the states with the widest income gaps
Click here to read our detailed methodology
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50. Utah
> Gini index: 0.427
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $227,022 (17th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $20,124 (the highest)
> Share of all income in Utah that went to top 20%: 47.1% (the lowest)
> Share of all income in Utah that went to bottom 20%: 4.2% (the highest)
> Median household income: $75,780 (11th highest)
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49. Idaho
> Gini index: 0.434
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $188,036 (8th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,199 (13th highest)
> Share of all income in Idaho that went to top 20%: 47.6% (6th lowest)
> Share of all income in Idaho that went to bottom 20%: 4.1% (2nd highest)
> Median household income: $60,999 (20th lowest)
Source: SeanXu / Getty Images
48. Wyoming
> Gini index: 0.435
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $196,029 (16th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,528 (19th highest)
> Share of all income in Wyoming that went to top 20%: 47.2% (2nd lowest)
> Share of all income in Wyoming that went to bottom 20%: 3.7% (9th highest — tied)
> Median household income: $65,003 (19th highest)
Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images
47. South Dakota
> Gini index: 0.436
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $184,714 (7th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,519 (20th highest)
> Share of all income in South Dakota that went to top 20%: 47.6% (5th lowest)
> Share of all income in South Dakota that went to bottom 20%: 4.0% (3rd highest)
> Median household income: $59,533 (18th lowest)
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46. Alaska
> Gini index: 0.438
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $234,221 (13th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,408 (7th highest)
> Share of all income in Alaska that went to top 20%: 47.5% (4th lowest)
> Share of all income in Alaska that went to bottom 20%: 3.7% (9th highest — tied)
> Median household income: $75,463 (12th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
45. Wisconsin
> Gini index: 0.439
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $197,977 (17th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,034 (15th highest)
> Share of all income in Wisconsin that went to top 20%: 47.8% (7th lowest)
> Share of all income in Wisconsin that went to bottom 20%: 3.9% (4th highest — tied)
> Median household income: $64,168 (21st highest)
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44. Hawaii
> Gini index: 0.440
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $252,492 (10th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,445 (5th highest)
> Share of all income in Hawaii that went to top 20%: 47.5% (3rd lowest)
> Share of all income in Hawaii that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (21st highest — tied)
> Median household income: $83,102 (4th highest)
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43. Nebraska
> Gini index: 0.440
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $197,997 (18th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,965 (16th highest)
> Share of all income in Nebraska that went to top 20%: 48.0% (9th lowest)
> Share of all income in Nebraska that went to bottom 20%: 3.9% (4th highest — tied)
> Median household income: $63,229 (25th highest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
42. New Hampshire
> Gini index: 0.441
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $241,891 (12th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $19,002 (2nd highest)
> Share of all income in New Hampshire that went to top 20%: 48.0% (8th lowest)
> Share of all income in New Hampshire that went to bottom 20%: 3.8% (7th highest)
> Median household income: $77,933 (8th highest)
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41. Iowa
> Gini index: 0.442
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $192,979 (13th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,270 (21st highest)
> Share of all income in Iowa that went to top 20%: 48.1% (10th lowest)
> Share of all income in Iowa that went to bottom 20%: 3.8% (6th highest)
> Median household income: $61,691 (21st lowest)
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
40. Minnesota
> Gini index: 0.443
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $233,949 (14th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,156 (9th highest)
> Share of all income in Minnesota that went to top 20%: 48.2% (11th lowest)
> Share of all income in Minnesota that went to bottom 20%: 3.7% (9th highest — tied)
> Median household income: $74,593 (13th highest)
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39. Vermont
> Gini index: 0.447
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $200,816 (22nd lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,054 (24th highest)
> Share of all income in Vermont that went to top 20%: 48.4% (12th lowest)
> Share of all income in Vermont that went to bottom 20%: 3.6% (13th highest)
> Median household income: $63,001 (25th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
38. Maine
> Gini index: 0.449
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $190,606 (10th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,674 (24th lowest)
> Share of all income in Maine that went to top 20%: 48.7% (15th lowest)
> Share of all income in Maine that went to bottom 20%: 3.8% (8th highest)
> Median household income: $58,924 (16th lowest)
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37. Oregon
> Gini index: 0.450
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $215,026 (23rd highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,597 (18th highest)
> Share of all income in Oregon that went to top 20%: 48.6% (13th lowest)
> Share of all income in Oregon that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (17th highest)
> Median household income: $67,058 (18th highest)
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36. Kansas
> Gini index: 0.450
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $200,932 (23rd lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,090 (22nd highest)
> Share of all income in Kansas that went to top 20%: 48.8% (16th lowest)
> Share of all income in Kansas that went to bottom 20%: 3.7% (12th highest)
> Median household income: $62,087 (24th lowest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
35. Delaware
> Gini index: 0.451
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $224,894 (18th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,945 (17th highest)
> Share of all income in Delaware that went to top 20%: 48.7% (14th lowest)
> Share of all income in Delaware that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (23rd highest)
> Median household income: $70,176 (16th highest)
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34. Colorado
> Gini index: 0.455
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $255,114 (9th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,417 (6th highest)
> Share of all income in Colorado that went to top 20%: 49.3% (19th lowest)
> Share of all income in Colorado that went to bottom 20%: 3.6% (16th highest)
> Median household income: $77,127 (9th highest)
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33. North Dakota
> Gini index: 0.456
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $209,985 (24th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $15,064 (23rd highest)
> Share of all income in North Dakota that went to top 20%: 49.1% (17th lowest)
> Share of all income in North Dakota that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (18th highest)
> Median household income: $64,577 (20th highest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
32. Maryland
> Gini index: 0.456
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $280,115 (6th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,902 (3rd highest)
> Share of all income in Maryland that went to top 20%: 49.1% (18th lowest)
> Share of all income in Maryland that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (19th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $86,738 (the highest)
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31. Washington
> Gini index: 0.458
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $262,118 (8th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,576 (4th highest)
> Share of all income in Washington that went to top 20%: 49.6% (22nd lowest)
> Share of all income in Washington that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (19th highest)
> Median household income: $78,687 (7th highest)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
30. Indiana
> Gini index: 0.458
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $193,279 (14th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,987 (18th lowest)
> Share of all income in Indiana that went to top 20%: 49.5% (21st lowest)
> Share of all income in Indiana that went to bottom 20%: 3.6% (15th highest)
> Median household income: $57,603 (14th lowest)
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29. Arizona
> Gini index: 0.459
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $209,819 (25th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,754 (25th lowest)
> Share of all income in Arizona that went to top 20%: 49.7% (25th lowest)
> Share of all income in Arizona that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (20th highest)
> Median household income: $62,055 (23rd lowest)
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28. Montana
> Gini index: 0.460
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $191,819 (11th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,899 (16th lowest)
> Share of all income in Montana that went to top 20%: 49.6% (24th lowest)
> Share of all income in Montana that went to bottom 20%: 3.6% (14th highest)
> Median household income: $57,153 (11th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
27. Rhode Island
> Gini index: 0.463
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $228,951 (15th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,829 (25th highest)
> Share of all income in Rhode Island that went to top 20%: 49.5% (20th lowest)
> Share of all income in Rhode Island that went to bottom 20%: 3.2% (14th lowest)
> Median household income: $71,169 (15th highest)
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26. Missouri
> Gini index: 0.463
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $194,185 (15th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,294 (11th lowest)
> Share of all income in Missouri that went to top 20%: 49.9% (25th highest)
> Share of all income in Missouri that went to bottom 20%: 3.4% (24th highest — tied)
> Median household income: $57,409 (13th lowest)
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25. Michigan
> Gini index: 0.463
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $201,676 (24th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,976 (17th lowest)
> Share of all income in Michigan that went to top 20%: 50.0% (24th highest)
> Share of all income in Michigan that went to bottom 20%: 3.5% (21st highest — tied)
> Median household income: $59,584 (19th lowest)
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24. West Virginia
> Gini index: 0.464
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $163,240 (the lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,649 (3rd lowest)
> Share of all income in West Virginia that went to top 20%: 49.6% (23rd lowest)
> Share of all income in West Virginia that went to bottom 20%: 3.2% (15th lowest)
> Median household income: $48,850 (2nd lowest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
23. Ohio
> Gini index: 0.465
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $199,074 (20th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,601 (14th lowest)
> Share of all income in Ohio that went to top 20%: 50.1% (23rd highest)
> Share of all income in Ohio that went to bottom 20%: 3.4% (24th highest — tied)
> Median household income: $58,642 (15th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
22. Virginia
> Gini index: 0.469
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $265,171 (7th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $17,138 (10th highest)
> Share of all income in Virginia that went to top 20%: 50.5% (22nd highest)
> Share of all income in Virginia that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (17th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $76,456 (10th highest)
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21. Nevada
> Gini index: 0.471
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $220,208 (21st highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,425 (21st lowest)
> Share of all income in Nevada that went to top 20%: 50.7% (20th highest)
> Share of all income in Nevada that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (21st lowest)
> Median household income: $63,276 (24th highest)
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20. Oklahoma
> Gini index: 0.474
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $192,061 (12th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $12,507 (9th lowest)
> Share of all income in Oklahoma that went to top 20%: 50.8% (17th highest)
> Share of all income in Oklahoma that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (19th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $54,449 (8th lowest)
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19. Alabama
> Gini index: 0.474
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $180,469 (4th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,916 (4th lowest)
> Share of all income in Alabama that went to top 20%: 50.5% (21st highest)
> Share of all income in Alabama that went to bottom 20%: 3.1% (7th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $51,734 (5th lowest)
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18. North Carolina
> Gini index: 0.474
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $204,129 (25th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,301 (12th lowest)
> Share of all income in North Carolina that went to top 20%: 51.0% (12th highest)
> Share of all income in North Carolina that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (22nd lowest)
> Median household income: $57,341 (12th lowest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
17. Pennsylvania
> Gini index: 0.475
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $223,499 (19th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,295 (20th lowest)
> Share of all income in Pennsylvania that went to top 20%: 50.9% (15th highest)
> Share of all income in Pennsylvania that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (17th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $63,463 (23rd highest)
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16. South Carolina
> Gini index: 0.475
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $198,951 (19th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $12,334 (8th lowest)
> Share of all income in South Carolina that went to top 20%: 50.9% (16th highest)
> Share of all income in South Carolina that went to bottom 20%: 3.2% (12th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $56,227 (10th lowest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
15. Tennessee
> Gini index: 0.475
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $199,456 (21st lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,144 (10th lowest)
> Share of all income in Tennessee that went to top 20%: 51.1% (10th highest)
> Share of all income in Tennessee that went to bottom 20%: 3.4% (24th lowest)
> Median household income: $56,071 (9th lowest)
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14. Arkansas
> Gini index: 0.475
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $173,941 (3rd lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $11,555 (7th lowest)
> Share of all income in Arkansas that went to top 20%: 51.0% (13th highest)
> Share of all income in Arkansas that went to bottom 20%: 3.4% (25th lowest)
> Median household income: $48,952 (3rd lowest)
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13. Texas
> Gini index: 0.475
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $228,924 (16th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,556 (22nd lowest)
> Share of all income in Texas that went to top 20%: 51.0% (11th highest)
> Share of all income in Texas that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (16th lowest)
> Median household income: $64,034 (22nd highest)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
12. Kentucky
> Gini index: 0.476
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $183,549 (6th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $11,367 (6th lowest)
> Share of all income in Kentucky that went to top 20%: 50.8% (18th highest — tied)
> Share of all income in Kentucky that went to bottom 20%: 3.2% (11th lowest)
> Median household income: $52,295 (7th lowest)
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11. New Mexico
> Gini index: 0.477
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $181,940 (5th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $10,976 (5th lowest)
> Share of all income in New Mexico that went to top 20%: 50.8% (18th highest — tied)
> Share of all income in New Mexico that went to bottom 20%: 3.1% (9th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $51,945 (6th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
10. New Jersey
> Gini index: 0.478
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $305,190 (2nd highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $18,249 (8th highest)
> Share of all income in New Jersey that went to top 20%: 51.2% (9th highest)
> Share of all income in New Jersey that went to bottom 20%: 3.1% (7th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $85,751 (3rd highest)
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9. Georgia
> Gini index: 0.479
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $222,399 (20th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,668 (15th lowest)
> Share of all income in Georgia that went to top 20%: 51.4% (7th highest)
> Share of all income in Georgia that went to bottom 20%: 3.2% (12th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $61,980 (22nd lowest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
8. Illinois
> Gini index: 0.480
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $245,173 (11th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,667 (23rd lowest)
> Share of all income in Illinois that went to top 20%: 51.2% (8th highest)
> Share of all income in Illinois that went to bottom 20%: 3.1% (9th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $69,187 (17th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
7. Massachusetts
> Gini index: 0.480
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $299,188 (3rd highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,450 (12th highest)
> Share of all income in Massachusetts that went to top 20%: 50.9% (14th highest)
> Share of all income in Massachusetts that went to bottom 20%: 2.8% (3rd lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $85,843 (2nd highest)
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6. Florida
> Gini index: 0.481
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $217,456 (22nd highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $14,026 (19th lowest)
> Share of all income in Florida that went to top 20%: 51.8% (6th highest)
> Share of all income in Florida that went to bottom 20%: 3.3% (23rd lowest)
> Median household income: $59,227 (17th lowest)
Source: choness / Getty Images
5. California
> Gini index: 0.487
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $295,369 (4th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,981 (11th highest)
> Share of all income in California that went to top 20%: 52.0% (5th highest)
> Share of all income in California that went to bottom 20%: 3.0% (5th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $80,440 (5th highest)
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4. Mississippi
> Gini index: 0.490
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $169,318 (2nd lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $9,715 (2nd lowest)
> Share of all income in Mississippi that went to top 20%: 52.0% (4th highest)
> Share of all income in Mississippi that went to bottom 20%: 3.0% (5th lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $45,792 (the lowest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
3. Louisiana
> Gini index: 0.498
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $190,038 (9th lowest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $9,426 (the lowest)
> Share of all income in Louisiana that went to top 20%: 52.3% (3rd highest)
> Share of all income in Louisiana that went to bottom 20%: 2.6% (2nd lowest)
> Median household income: $51,073 (4th lowest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
2. Connecticut
> Gini index: 0.502
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $306,153 (the highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $16,037 (14th highest)
> Share of all income in Connecticut that went to top 20%: 53.4% (2nd highest)
> Share of all income in Connecticut that went to bottom 20%: 2.8% (3rd lowest — tied)
> Median household income: $78,833 (6th highest)
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1. New York
> Gini index: 0.515
> Avg. household income, top 20%: $291,906 (5th highest)
> Avg. household income, bottom 20%: $13,372 (13th lowest)
> Share of all income in New York that went to top 20%: 54.4% (the highest)
> Share of all income in New York that went to bottom 20%: 2.5% (the lowest)
> Median household income: $72,108 (14th highest)
Methodology
To determine the states with the widest income gaps, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed one-year estimates of the Gini Index of income inequality from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
The Gini Index of income inequality summarizes income dispersion in an area on a scale from 0 to 1. A value of 0 indicates perfect equality — everyone in the area receives an equal share of income. A value of 1 indicates perfect inequality — only one recipient receives all the income.
States were ranked based on their Gini Index. Additional information on average household income by quintile, share of aggregate household income by quintile, and median household income are also one-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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