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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.
| Rank | State | Median Household Income 2024 (Ages 25-44) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $123,206 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $122,917 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $118,481 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $114,924 |
| 5 | Washington | $112,374 |
| 6 | California | $110,732 |
| 7 | Colorado | $109,174 |
| 8 | Maryland | $108,041 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $105,621 |
| 10 | Utah | $101,756 |
| 11 | New York | $101,393 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $101,311 |
| 13 | Virginia | $101,267 |
| 14 | Alaska | $101,155 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $101,085 |
| 16 | Oregon | $98,287 |
| 17 | Vermont | $97,695 |
| 18 | Delaware | $96,154 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $95,063 |
| 20 | Maine | $93,626 |
| 21 | Illinois | $92,743 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $92,180 |
| 23 | Idaho | $92,066 |
| 24 | Arizona | $91,212 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $91,202 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $90,401 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $88,672 |
| 28 | Montana | $88,441 |
| 29 | Nevada | $87,394 |
| 30 | Kansas | $87,035 |
| 31 | Georgia | $86,411 |
| 32 | Florida | $85,890 |
| 33 | Iowa | $85,436 |
| 34 | Texas | $85,373 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $84,527 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $84,372 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $84,351 |
| 38 | Missouri | $82,996 |
| 39 | Ohio | $82,241 |
| 40 | Michigan | $82,236 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $82,010 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $81,377 |
| 43 | Indiana | $80,602 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $77,680 |
| 45 | Alabama | $75,634 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $75,190 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $74,976 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $73,003 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $71,747 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $70,700 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $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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