U.S. Per Capita Income 2022

There are 22 states that have real per capita incomes that exceed the U.S. per capita income average of $53,504. Geographically, these states are quite diverse, running from the northern Pacific to the upper South. Here are the top 10 states with the highest real per capita incomes, as well as their corresponding nominal per capita incomes (real per capita income figures are in constant 2012 dollars):

Connecticut

Real per capita income: $68,533

Nominal per capita income: $78,609

 

Massachusetts

 

Real per capita income: $65,853

Nominal per capita income: $78,458

New York

Real per capita income: $60,936

Nominal per capita income: $74,472

Wyoming

 

Real per capita income: $60,463

Nominal per capita income: $61,855

 

 

North Dakota

 

Real per capita income: $60,286

Nominal per capita income: $61,530

 

New Jersey

 

Real per capita income: $59,594

Nominal per capita income: $73,460

 

South Dakota

 

Real per capita income: $58,414

Nominal per capita income: $59,281

 

New Hampshire

 

Real per capita income: $58,342

Nominal per capita income: $67,092

 

California

 

Real per capita income: $57,347

Nominal per capita income: $70,192

 

Pennsylvania

 

Real per capita income: $57,030

Nominal per capita income: $61,700

 

In all these cases, nominal per capita personal income is higher than real, as expected since nominal figures do not account for inflation and regional price differences. However, the difference between real and nominal per capita income varies significantly depending on the state. In South Dakota, for example, the difference between the two is only $867. In New Jersey, on the other hand, the difference is very large — $13,866, with a nominal per capita income of $73,460 versus a real per capita income of $59,594.

States With the Lowest Per Capita Income

Turning to the 10 states with the lowest real per capita income, the region of the country which is represented most is the U.S. South. However, because of lower costs of living in southern states, many of these 10 states actually have real per capita incomes that are higher than their nominal per capita income figures. Here are the 10 states with the lowest per capita incomes:

Mississippi

 

Real per capita income: $43,284

Nominal per capita income: $42,129

 

Arizona

 

Real per capita income: $45,193

Nominal per capita income: $49,648

 

New Mexico

 

Real per capita income: $45,637

Nominal per capita income: $46,338

 

West Virginia

 

Real per capita income: $46,130

Nominal per capita income: $44,994

 

Alabama

 

Real per capita income: $46,963

Nominal per capita income: $46,479

 

Hawaii

 

Real per capita income: $47,234

Nominal per capita income: $58,655

 

South Carolina

 

Real per capita income: $47,252

Nominal per capita income: $48,021

 

Kentucky

 

Real per capita income: $47,551

Nominal per capita income: $47,339

 

Arkansas

 

Real per capita income: $47,765

Nominal per capita income: $47,235

 

Idaho

 

Real per capita income: $48,216

Nominal per capita income: $48,759

 

In Mississippi, the nominal per capita income is $1,155 lower than the corresponding real per capita income in the state, $42,129 versus $43,284. Meanwhile, Hawaii has very much the opposite situation: Nominal per capita income is $11,421 higher than real per capita income, due to high costs of living eroding real personal income in that state.

Per Capita Income by State in 2021

Below is a table featuring all 50 states and their respective real per capita income figures in 2020 and 2015, as well as the percentage change over the last five years.