Where Poverty Hits the Hardest in Every U.S. State

Rising costs across the United States are putting increasing pressure on household budgets, especially for lower-income Americans. As everyday expenses continue to climb, some cities are feeling the strain far more than others.

While cities are often seen as economic hubs, nearly every state has at least one where incomes fall well below the statewide average. In these areas, residents are more likely to struggle with higher living costs and report difficulty covering basic expenses.

This article identifies the poorest city in every state using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey. We focused on places with populations of at least 50,000 and ranked them by median household income. In a few states with limited qualifying cities, the results reflect the only available data meeting that threshold.

These are the poorest cities in each state:

• 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