The Poorest Area in Every U.S. State Where Residents Struggle the Most

Rising tariffs in the U.S. are expected to push consumer prices higher, adding more pressure to household budgets. Economists have already seen this play out before. Research analyzing the 2018 tariff increases found that higher import costs were largely passed on to American consumers, contributing to rising prices across a range of goods. At the same time, some analysts suggest inflationary pressure may not hit Europe as hard, creating a growing economic divide between regions.

When prices rise, the impact is not felt equally. Lower-income households are often hit the hardest, as a larger share of their income goes toward essentials like housing, food, and transportation. While higher-income households may be able to absorb rising costs through savings or access to credit, many Americans are left stretching each paycheck further just to cover basic expenses. In cities where incomes are already low, these pressures can quickly become overwhelming.

Across the country, many of the hardest-hit cities also have lower-than-average home values, reflecting broader economic challenges. In more than half of the locations on this list, median home values fall at least $75,000 below their respective state averages, highlighting the gap between these communities and more affluent areas.

To identify the poorest city in every state, My Investment News analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey five-year estimates. Within each state, we identified the city, town, municipality, or unincorporated community with the lowest median household income among places with at least 50,000 residents. Vermont and West Virginia were excluded because no communities meet that population threshold. In Alaska, Delaware, and Maine, only one city qualified, meaning those locations rank as the poorest by default. Additional data, including income and housing figures, also comes from the American Community Survey, while population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.

• Median household income in 2023: $44,376 (statewide: $62,027)
• Median home value in 2023: $138,600 (statewide: $195,100)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 30.7% (statewide: 27.8%)
• Poverty rate: 25.2% (statewide: 15.6%)
• Population in 2023: 196,644
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 10

• Median household income in 2023: $98,152 (statewide: $89,336)
• Median home value in 2023: $375,900 (statewide: $333,300)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 37.7% (statewide: 31.2%)
• Poverty rate: 9.3% (statewide: 10.2%)
• Population in 2023: 286,075
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 1

• Median household income in 2023: $54,546 (statewide: $76,872)
• Median home value in 2023: $242,200 (statewide: $358,900)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 30.2% (statewide: 32.6%)
• Poverty rate: 18.8% (statewide: 12.8%)
• Population in 2023: 547,239
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 23

• Median household income in 2023: $51,236 (statewide: $58,773)
• Median home value in 2023: $169,500 (statewide: $175,300)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 30.1% (statewide: 25.1%)
• Poverty rate: 20.8% (statewide: 16.0%)
• Population in 2023: 64,531
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 9

• Median household income in 2023: $53,623 (statewide: $96,334)
• Median home value in 2023: $314,200 (statewide: $695,400)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15.2% (statewide: 36.5%)
• Poverty rate: 16.0% (statewide: 12.0%)
• Population in 2023: 92,368
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 188

• Median household income in 2023: $55,305 (statewide: $92,470)
• Median home value in 2023: $230,900 (statewide: $502,200)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22.8% (statewide: 44.7%)
• Poverty rate: 19.2% (statewide: 9.4%)
• Population in 2023:111,077
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 20

• Median household income in 2023: $45,300 (statewide: $93,760)
• Median home value in 2023: $217,200 (statewide: $343,200)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.3% (statewide: 41.9%)
• Poverty rate: 25.5% (statewide: 10.0%)
• Population in 2023:119,669
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 14

• Median household income in 2023: $55,269 (statewide: $82,855)
• Median home value in 2023: $224,500 (statewide: $326,800)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 33.1% (statewide: 35.3%)
• Poverty rate: 23.2% (statewide: 10.7%)
• Population in 2023:71,675
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 1

• Median household income in 2023: $45,611 (statewide: $71,711)
• Median home value in 2023: $235,000 (statewide: $325,000)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 51.7% (statewide: 33.2%)
• Poverty rate: 28.0% (statewide: 12.6%)
• Population in 2023:145,812
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 80

• Median household income in 2023: $45,201 (statewide: $74,664)
• Median home value in 2023: $118,700 (statewide: $272,900)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.5% (statewide: 34.2%)
• Poverty rate: 29.2% (statewide: 13.5%)
• Population in 2023: 66,877
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 19

• Median household income in 2023: $85,428 (statewide: $98,317)
• Median home value in 2023: $834,100 (statewide: $808,200)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 40.8% (statewide: 35.5%)
• Poverty rate: 11.9% (statewide: 10.0%)
• Population in 2023: 341,778
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 2

• Median household income in 2023: $57,931 (statewide: $74,636)
• Median home value in 2023: $240,600 (statewide: $376,000)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 32.9% (statewide: 31.2%)
• Poverty rate: 13.9% (statewide: 10.6%)
• Population in 2023:58,064
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 8

• Median household income in 2023: $50,809 (statewide: $81,702)
• Median home value in 2023: $97,300 (statewide: $250,500)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.3% (statewide: 37.2%)
• Poverty rate: 19.1% (statewide: 11.7%)
• Population in 2023: 68,670
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 29

• Median household income in 2023: $37,380 (statewide: $70,051)
• Median home value in 2023: $85,300 (statewide: $201,600)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.3% (statewide: 28.8%)
• Poverty rate: 32.9% (statewide: 12.2%)
• Population in 2023: 67,652
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 21

• Median household income in 2023: $56,344 (statewide: $73,147)
• Median home value in 2023: $150,200 (statewide: $195,900)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22.6% (statewide: 30.9%)
• Poverty rate: 16.4% (statewide: 11.0%)
• Population in 2023:66,606
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 11

• Median household income in 2023: $55,902 (statewide: $72,639)
• Median home value in 2023: $130,600 (statewide: $203,400)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 29.1% (statewide: 35.2%)
• Poverty rate: 15.6% (statewide: 11.5%)
• Population in 2023: 125,475
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 9

• Median household income in 2023: $48,419 (statewide: $62,417)
• Median home value in 2023: $232,100 (statewide: $192,300)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 32.0% (statewide: 27.0%)
• Poverty rate: 25.4% (statewide: 16.1%)
• Population in 2023:76,212
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 4

• Median household income in 2023: $48,465 (statewide: $60,023)
• Median home value in 2023: $178,100 (statewide: $208,700)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 27.5% (statewide: 26.6%)
• Poverty rate: 23.6% (statewide: 18.9%)
• Population in 2023: 177,959
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 8

• Median household income in 2023: $76,174 (statewide: $71,773)
• Median home value in 2023: $452,600 (statewide: $266,400)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 59.2% (statewide: 35.3%)
• Poverty rate: 11.2% (statewide: 10.8%)
• Population in 2023:69,104
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 1

• Median household income in 2023: $59,623 (statewide: $101,652)
• Median home value in 2023: $219,300 (statewide: $397,700)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 35.4% (statewide: 42.7%)
• Poverty rate: 20.1% (statewide: 9.3%)
• Population in 2023:565,239
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 18

• Median household income in 2023: $51,339 (statewide: $101,341)
• Median home value in 2023: $222,700 (statewide: $525,800)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 19.7% (statewide: 46.6%)
• Poverty rate: 25.3% (statewide: 10.0%)
• Population in 2023:153,672
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 25

• Median household income in 2023: $36,194 (statewide: $71,149)
• Median home value in 2023: $47,600 (statewide: $217,600)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.1% (statewide: 31.8%)
• Poverty rate: 34.4% (statewide: 13.1%)
• Population in 2023:79,661
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 24

• Median household income in 2023: $61,112 (statewide: $87,556)
• Median home value in 2023: $212,800 (statewide: $305,500)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 29.4% (statewide: 38.8%)
• Poverty rate: 18.5% (statewide: 9.2%)
• Population in 2023:71,013
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 19

• Median household income in 2023: $43,238 (statewide: $54,915)
• Median home value in 2023: $108,200 (statewide: $161,400)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28.6% (statewide: 24.2%)
• Poverty rate: 26.8% (statewide: 19.1%)
• Population in 2023:143,709
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 3

• Median household income in 2023: $45,984 (statewide: $68,920)
• Median home value in 2023: $165,200 (statewide: $215,600)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 30.3% (statewide: 31.9%)
• Poverty rate: 19.4% (statewide: 12.6%)
• Population in 2023:170,188
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 13

• Median household income in 2023: $63,934 (statewide: $69,922)
• Median home value in 2023: $237,400 (statewide: $338,100)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28.3% (statewide: 34.5%)
• Poverty rate: 14.0% (statewide: 12.0%)
• Population in 2023:60,422
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 4

• Median household income in 2023: $62,439 (statewide: $74,985)
• Median home value in 2023: $202,600 (statewide: $223,800)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20.7% (statewide: 34.1%)
• Poverty rate: 12.5% (statewide: 10.3%)
• Population in 2023:52,622
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 4

• Median household income in 2023: $55,034 (statewide: $75,561)
• Median home value in 2023: $290,900 (statewide: $406,100)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.9% (statewide: 27.4%)
• Poverty rate: 20.4% (statewide: 12.6%)
• Population in 2023:199,099
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 10

• Median household income in 2023: $77,415 (statewide: $95,628)
• Median home value in 2023: $336,300 (statewide: $367,200)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 33.5% (statewide: 39.8%)
• Poverty rate: 10.7% (statewide: 7.2%)
• Population in 2023:115,474
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 2

• Median household income in 2023: $40,450 (statewide: $101,050)
• Median home value in 2023: $100,400 (statewide: $427,600)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.6% (statewide: 42.9%)
• Poverty rate: 28.5% (statewide: 9.8%)
• Population in 2023: 71,100
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 19

• Median household income in 2023: $55,176 (statewide: $62,125)
• Median home value in 2023: $217,400 (statewide: $232,200)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 37.3% (statewide: 30.2%)
• Poverty rate: 22.0% (statewide: 18.1%)
• Population in 2023:114,892
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 4

• Median household income in 2023: $45,845 (statewide: $84,578)
• Median home value in 2023: $125,100 (statewide: $403,000)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 30.5% (statewide: 39.6%)
• Poverty rate: 29.6% (statewide: 13.7%)
• Population in 2023: 145,560
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 17

• Median household income in 2023: $50,564 (statewide: $69,904)
• Median home value in 2023: $213,100 (statewide: $259,400)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 39.3% (statewide: 34.7%)
• Poverty rate: 24.5% (statewide: 13.2%)
• Population in 2023:90,053
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 22

• Median household income in 2023: $63,838 (statewide: $75,949)
• Median home value in 2023: $243,300 (statewide: $241,100)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 39.2% (statewide: 32.3%)
• Poverty rate: 16.3% (statewide: 10.6%)
• Population in 2023:58,921
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 3

• Median household income in 2023: $34,746 (statewide: $69,680)
• Median home value in 2023: $58,400 (statewide: $199,200)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15.2% (statewide: 30.9%)
• Poverty rate: 36.2% (statewide: 13.2%)
• Population in 2023:59,108
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 18

• Median household income in 2023: $53,588 (statewide: $63,603)
• Median home value in 2023: $134,200 (statewide: $185,900)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22.9% (statewide: 27.8%)
• Poverty rate: 20.8% (statewide: 15.3%)
• Population in 2023: 90,245
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 9

• Median household income in 2023: $63,807 (statewide: $80,426)
• Median home value in 2023: $480,600 (statewide: $454,200)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 60.9% (statewide: 36.2%)
• Poverty rate: 25.9% (statewide: 11.9%)
• Population in 2023:61,087
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 13

• Median household income in 2023: $43,397 (statewide: $76,081)
• Median home value in 2023: $108,200 (statewide: $240,500)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22.3% (statewide: 34.5%)
• Poverty rate: 24.6% (statewide: 11.8%)
• Population in 2023:92,957
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 10

• Median household income in 2023: $66,772 (statewide: $86,372)
• Median home value in 2023: $322,800 (statewide: $368,800)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 34.7% (statewide: 37.3%)
• Poverty rate: 20.1% (statewide: 10.9%)
• Population in 2023:190,792
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 4

• Median household income in 2023: $55,653 (statewide: $66,818)
• Median home value in 2023: $243,500 (statewide: $236,700)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 46.1% (statewide: 31.5%)
• Poverty rate: 23.3% (statewide: 14.2%)
• Population in 2023:142,416
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 7

• Median household income in 2023: $65,712 (statewide: $72,421)
• Median home value in 2023: $270,000 (statewide: $236,800)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 36.4% (statewide: 31.1%)
• Poverty rate: 13.3% (statewide: 12.0%)
• Population in 2023:79,404
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 2

• Median household income in 2023: $50,436 (statewide: $67,097)
• Median home value in 2023: $203,000 (statewide: $256,800)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 31.0% (statewide: 30.4%)
• Poverty rate: 20.8% (statewide: 13.8%)
• Population in 2023:56,704
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 15

• Median household income in 2023: $45,752 (statewide: $76,292)
• Median home value in 2023: $96,900 (statewide: $260,400)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.2% (statewide: 33.1%)
• Poverty rate: 29.1% (statewide: 13.8%)
• Population in 2023:55,547
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 74

• Median household income in 2023: $56,764 (statewide: $91,750)
• Median home value in 2023: $341,000 (statewide: $455,000)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 38.8% (statewide: 36.9%)
• Poverty rate: 23.0% (statewide: 8.6%)
• Population in 2023:55,250
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 16

• Median household income in 2023: $52,671 (statewide: $90,974)
• Median home value in 2023: $180,500 (statewide: $360,700)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28.9% (statewide: 41.5%)
• Poverty rate: 19.7% (statewide: 9.9%)
• Population in 2023:97,171
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 17

• Median household income in 2023: $59,228 (statewide: $94,952)
• Median home value in 2023: $273,400 (statewide: $519,800)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 20.8% (statewide: 38.8%)
• Poverty rate: 17.0% (statewide: 9.9%)
• Population in 2023:96,750
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 26

• Median household income in 2023: $51,888 (statewide: $75,670)
• Median home value in 2023: $172,000 (statewide: $247,400)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 26.6% (statewide: 32.8%)
• Poverty rate: 23.3% (statewide: 10.6%)
• Population in 2023: 561,385
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 12

• Median household income in 2023: $69,171 (statewide: $74,815)
• Median home value in 2023: $250,700 (statewide: $285,100)
• Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 30.0% (statewide: 29.9%)
• Poverty rate: 11.2% (statewide: 10.7%)
• Population in 2023:58,720
• Places in state with populations of at least 50,000: 2