Mapped: Where Young Americans Earn the Most
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Mapped: Where Young Americans Earn the Most
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Key Takeaways
Massachusetts has the highest median household income for Americans ages 25–44, at $123.2K.
The top earners are heavily concentrated in coastal states and Washington, D.C.
In 14 states plus D.C., young households have median incomes above $100K.
Young Americans earn far more in some states than others.
Using the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, this map shows the median household income for Americans ages 25–44 across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Massachusetts ranks first at $123.2K, followed closely by Washington, D.C. and New Jersey. At the other end, Mississippi ranks last at $66K, meaning young households in Massachusetts earn about 87% more.
But higher income does not always mean greater financial comfort. Many of the highest-earning states also have some of the country’s steepest housing and living costs.
Young Americans Earn the Most in Coastal States
The top 10 states show a clear pattern: young households tend to earn the most in places with large metro economies, high education levels, and concentrations of high-wage industries.
RankStateMedian Household Income 2024(Ages 25-44)
1Massachusetts$123,206
2District of Columbia$122,917
3New Jersey$118,481
4New Hampshire$114,924
5Washington$112,374
6California$110,732
7Colorado$109,174
8Maryland$108,041
9Connecticut$105,621
10Utah$101,756
11New York$101,393
12Minnesota$101,311
13Virginia$101,267
14Alaska$101,155
15Hawaii$101,085
16Oregon$98,287
17Vermont$97,695
18Delaware$96,154
19Rhode Island$95,063
20Maine$93,626
21Illinois$92,743
22North Dakota$92,180
23Idaho$92,066
24Arizona$91,212
25Wisconsin$91,202
26Pennsylvania$90,401
27Nebraska$88,672
28Montana$88,441
29Nevada$87,394
30Kansas$87,035
31Georgia$86,411
32Florida$85,890
33Iowa$85,436
34Texas$85,373
35North Carolina$84,527
36Wyoming$84,372
37South Dakota$84,351
38Missouri$82,996
39Ohio$82,241
40Michigan$82,236
41South Carolina$82,010
42Tennessee$81,377
43Indiana$80,602
44Kentucky$77,680
45Alabama$75,634
46New Mexico$75,190
47Oklahoma$74,976
48West Virginia$73,003
49Arkansas$71,747
50Louisiana$70,700
51Mississippi$65,978
-- U.S. State Average$91,928
In Massachusetts, the median household income for Americans ages 25–44 is $123.2K, likely driven by its highly educated workforce. Washington, D.C. also ranks near the top at $122.9K, alongside Washington ($112.4K) and California ($110.7K).
Overall, eight of the top 10 states are located on either the East or West Coast. Mountain West states like Colorado ($109.2K) and Utah ($101.8K) also rank highly, reflecting the growth of tech, professional services, and other high-wage industries.
At the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and West Virginia report the country’s lowest median incomes for young households, all below $72K. These states generally have lower concentrations of high-wage industries and lower rates of bachelor’s degree attainment.
High Salaries, High Living Costs
But higher incomes do not always translate into greater financial comfort.
Several of the top-ranked states, including Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey, also have some of America’s highest housing costs. In many large coastal metros, rising rents, childcare expenses, and home prices absorb a substantial share of household earnings.
While Massachusetts households earn the most, a median family of four retains just 16% of its paycheck after major expenses, compared to the U.S. average of 24.7%. By comparison, households in states such as Iowa and South Dakota keep roughly 35%.
That dynamic helps explain why many younger Americans continue relocating to lower-cost states in the South and Mountain West, even if salaries are lower on paper. Ultimately, the best-paying states are not always the easiest places to get ahead. For many young households, the question is whether higher salaries are enough to offset housing, childcare, and everyday costs.
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