The consumer price index has climbed steadily nearly every month for the last two and a half years, hitting a multi-decade high of 9.1% in June 2022. Though inflation has since cooled, dropping to 7.7% in October, the CPI remains at historic highs, and Americans across the country are feeling the pinch – particularly those without the means to absorb rising costs. (The price of this household item is soaring.)
The typical American household earns $64,994 annually, according to five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. But in nearly every state, there are cities where most households are earning far less than that.
Among the 24 places in Connecticut with available data and populations of at least 25,000, Hartford ranks as the poorest. The typical Hartford household earns $36,154 a year, compared to the statewide median household income of $79,855.
Home values are often a reflection of what people can afford. And in Hartford, the typical home is worth $170,200 – compared to the typical home in Connecticut, which is worth $279,700.
For the purposes of this story, all places covered by the U.S. Census Bureau with populations of at least 25,000 were considered cities. All data in this story is from the ACS.
| State | Poorest city | Median household income ($) | Median household income in state ($) | Median home value ($) | Median home value in state ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Bessemer | 30,284 | 52,035 | 100,100 | 149,600 |
| Alaska | Fairbanks | 64,397 | 77,790 | 217,700 | 275,600 |
| Arizona | San Luis | 41,648 | 61,529 | 128,500 | 242,000 |
| Arkansas | Pine Bluff | 34,410 | 49,475 | 74,900 | 133,600 |
| California | Coachella | 33,999 | 78,672 | 238,500 | 538,500 |
| Colorado | Pueblo | 42,902 | 75,231 | 149,600 | 369,900 |
| Connecticut | Hartford | 36,154 | 79,855 | 170,200 | 279,700 |
| Delaware | Wilmington | 45,139 | 69,110 | 173,500 | 258,300 |
| Florida | University (Hillsborough County) | 29,380 | 57,703 | 91,900 | 232,000 |
| Georgia | Statesboro | 32,790 | 61,224 | 115,100 | 190,200 |
| Hawaii | Hilo | 65,727 | 83,173 | 341,500 | 636,400 |
| Idaho | Rexburg | 33,278 | 58,915 | 221,700 | 235,600 |
| Illinois | East St. Louis | 24,009 | 68,428 | 53,900 | 202,100 |
| Indiana | Gary | 31,315 | 58,235 | 68,400 | 148,900 |
| Iowa | Clinton | 46,066 | 61,836 | 100,800 | 153,900 |
| Kansas | Kansas City | 46,424 | 61,091 | 101,300 | 157,600 |
| Kentucky | Richmond | 39,329 | 52,238 | 148,900 | 147,100 |
| Louisiana | Monroe | 31,926 | 50,800 | 150,000 | 168,100 |
| Maine | Lewiston | 42,969 | 59,489 | 150,100 | 198,000 |
| Maryland | Hagerstown | 41,905 | 87,063 | 160,000 | 325,400 |
| Massachusetts | Springfield | 41,571 | 84,385 | 162,900 | 398,800 |
| Michigan | Flint | 30,383 | 59,234 | 31,700 | 162,600 |
| Minnesota | Winona | 48,653 | 73,382 | 153,500 | 235,700 |
| Mississippi | Greenville | 29,013 | 46,511 | 79,900 | 125,500 |
| Missouri | Springfield | 37,491 | 57,290 | 122,200 | 163,600 |
| Montana | Butte-Silver Bow | 49,659 | 56,539 | 156,400 | 244,900 |
| Nebraska | Fremont | 54,291 | 63,015 | 140,400 | 164,000 |
| Nevada | Winchester | 39,368 | 62,043 | 172,300 | 290,200 |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | 62,087 | 77,923 | 241,600 | 272,300 |
| New Jersey | Camden | 28,623 | 85,245 | 82,500 | 343,500 |
| New Mexico | South Valley | 41,537 | 51,243 | 153,400 | 175,700 |
| New York | Jamestown | 34,767 | 71,117 | 66,400 | 325,000 |
| North Carolina | Asheboro | 37,171 | 56,642 | 119,700 | 182,100 |
| North Dakota | Grand Forks | 50,194 | 65,315 | 209,800 | 199,900 |
| Ohio | Warren | 27,108 | 58,116 | 66,100 | 151,400 |
| Oklahoma | Stillwater | 34,906 | 53,840 | 185,300 | 142,400 |
| Oregon | Grants Pass | 46,580 | 65,667 | 260,400 | 336,700 |
| Pennsylvania | Chester | 32,867 | 63,627 | 70,300 | 187,500 |
| Rhode Island | Woonsocket | 44,310 | 70,305 | 191,500 | 276,600 |
| South Carolina | Anderson | 33,569 | 54,864 | 138,000 | 170,100 |
| South Dakota | Rapid City | 53,760 | 59,896 | 194,100 | 174,600 |
| Tennessee | Morristown | 33,511 | 54,833 | 119,500 | 177,600 |
| Texas | Huntsville | 31,020 | 63,826 | 168,800 | 187,200 |
| Utah | Logan | 43,056 | 74,197 | 216,200 | 305,400 |
| Vermont | Burlington | 55,461 | 63,477 | 312,200 | 230,900 |
| Virginia | Danville | 37,147 | 76,398 | 95,500 | 282,800 |
| Washington | Pullman | 32,073 | 77,006 | 287,700 | 366,800 |
| West Virginia | Huntington | 33,012 | 48,037 | 100,300 | 123,200 |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee | 43,125 | 63,293 | 128,300 | 189,200 |
| Wyoming | Laramie | 47,463 | 65,304 | 225,400 | 228,000 |
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