The focus balances practical reporting steps with reproducible methods. It emphasizes labeling the metric and data year and links readers to the primary ACS and BEA tables for verification.
Quick answer: which states appear most often among the top five and why it depends on the metric
Searches for wealthiest cities and for state rankings can lead to confusion. For readers looking at state-level wealth, the two authoritative 2023 metrics most commonly used are median household income from the American Community Survey and per-capita personal income from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The focus here uses 2023 data published by those agencies, and it explains why the same state can appear near the top under one measure and not the other. The phrase wealthiest cities in united states is a common search term that brings city and metro lists, so this article clarifies the state-level comparison early.
The short takeaway: states that most often appear near the top by median household income include Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Connecticut, while BEA per-capita personal income lists often include Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, and Alaska. These groupings reflect different measurement approaches and should be labeled with the data year when cited; see the ACS and BEA source tables for 2023 for exact numbers U.S. Census Bureau ACS median household income page. (See the Census report Household Income in States and Metropolitan Areas: 2023.)
Readers should expect that small differences between states can shift year to year. For reproducible reporting, this article describes the exact tables used and gives phrasing templates to avoid overstating certainty when values are close.
How ‘wealthiest cities in united states’ searches differ from state-level ‘richest states’ rankings
People who enter the phrase wealthiest cities in united states are often shown lists of cities or metropolitan areas ranked by household income, median income, or average income, which use a different geographic unit than state-level tables. City and metro results are valuable for local understanding but do not map directly to state rankings, because states aggregate many cities and rural areas into a single measure.
City-level listings typically focus on household or per-capita measures inside a defined municipal or metropolitan boundary. In contrast, state-level rankings rely on the ACS and BEA tables that summarize every resident or household in the state, producing different denominators and often different leaders. For state comparisons, researchers should start with the ACS state tables for median household income and the BEA personal income tables for per-capita figures BEA personal income by state page.
If your intent is to compare places with similar population scales, consider instead metropolitan or county tables; if you want a state-level view for voter information or reporting, use the ACS and BEA state tables and label the metric and year clearly. A practical way to pivot: use city or metro searches to identify local patterns, then consult the state tables to understand how those patterns influence statewide rankings.
Check the ACS and BEA primary tables before publishing
For state-level comparisons, consult the ACS median household income tables and BEA per-capita personal income tables for the data year you plan to cite; avoid substituting city or metro lists when you mean states.
Metrics explained: median household income (ACS) and per-capita personal income (BEA)
Median household income reports the middle household’s income in a state, which helps show typical household resources. The U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS 2023 1-year estimates are the standard source for state median household income and include guidance on margins of error and methodology ACS median household income page.
Per-capita personal income divides total personal income earned by residents by the resident population, producing a per-person average that can be influenced by very high earners, nonresident income flows, and sectors that generate large earnings per worker such as finance or natural resource extraction. The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes the BEA state per-capita personal income tables for 2023 that reporters commonly use for this metric BEA per-capita personal income table.
The conceptual difference matters: median household income centers on a household unit and is less sensitive to outliers, while per-capita personal income spreads total income across every resident. That means states with many dual-earner households often rise in median household rankings, whereas states with high aggregate income from concentrated industries can appear higher in per-capita rankings. For a clear example of methodological guidance and reliability considerations, consult the ACS methodology page ACS methodology and reliability of income estimates.
How we rank: step-by-step method, tables used, and year labeling
To reproduce the top-five candidates for each metric, follow these steps and cite the exact table names and data year. First, use the ACS 2023 1-year estimates table for median household income by state. Second, use the BEA personal income by state tables for per-capita personal income for 2023. Always note both the data year (2023) and the agency that published the numbers in 2024.
1. Download or view the ACS 2023 1-year state median household income table and record the median and margin of error for each state. 2. Download or view the BEA 2023 per-capita personal income by state table and record the per-capita figures. 3. Exclude the District of Columbia if you are compiling a list of states only, and label whether DC is included or excluded in your headline and notes. For primary access to the BEA files, consult the BEA state personal income page BEA personal income by state page.
Using ACS 2023 median household income, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Connecticut most often appear near the top; using BEA 2023 per-capita personal income, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, and Alaska commonly rank near the top. The lists differ because median household income measures the middle household while per-capita personal income spreads total personal income across every resident, making the choice of metric crucial for interpretation.
When comparing values that are close, use the ACS margin of error guidance to decide whether to present a strict order, ties, or ranges, and retain screenshots or table names for verification. The ACS documentation explains when differences fall within the margin of error and recommends cautious phrasing for near ties ACS methodology and reliability of income estimates.
Top five states by median household income (ACS 2023): common leaders and how to present them
Using ACS 2023 median household income tables, the states that most often appear near the top of state rankings are Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Connecticut. When citing this grouping, label the data as the ACS 2023 1-year estimates and avoid presenting a single definitive rank when medians are close across states U.S. Census Bureau ACS median household income page.
Why these states appear frequently: they combine higher wages in professional sectors, higher household formation rates with dual earners, and population compositions that raise household medians. Because the ACS table provides margin of error statistics, responsible reporting notes whether the differences between nearby states exceed those margins before asserting a strict order.
Suggested phrasing templates when using ACS 2023 data: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS 2023 1-year estimates, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Connecticut most often appear among the top five states by median household income.” If ordering is necessary, add: “Differences between some states fall within ACS margins of error; see the ACS table and methodology for exact values.” These templates keep attribution clear and avoid overstating precision ACS median household income page.
Top five states by per-capita personal income (BEA 2023): common leaders and interpretation
The BEA per-capita personal income tables for 2023 commonly show Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, and Alaska among the top per-capita states, excluding the District of Columbia. These states benefit from concentrations of high-earning industries and, in some cases, nonresident income flows that raise per-person averages BEA personal income by state page.
Per-capita lists are sensitive to industry structure: finance centers, technology hubs, and states with large resource sectors can report high per-capita incomes because total personal income is substantial relative to population. When using BEA figures, attribute the ranking to the BEA 2023 release and note that per-capita measures reflect aggregate income per resident rather than the typical household experience.
Suggested attribution language for BEA 2023 per-capita lists: “BEA 2023 per-capita personal income tables show that Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, and Alaska commonly rank near the top for per-capita personal income.” This phrasing clarifies the source and the metric and avoids implying that the per-capita ranking directly measures household wellbeing BEA per-capita personal income table.
Why the ACS and BEA lists differ: key drivers and examples
Household structure affects median household income. States with larger shares of dual-earner households or higher rates of household formation often post higher median household incomes because the median reflects combined household resources rather than per-person averages. The ACS documentation explains how household composition and sampling affect median estimates ACS methodology and reliability of income estimates.
BEA per-capita figures can be pulled upward by a small number of very high earners, nonresident income (such as commuters who earn income in one state but live in another), and sectors that generate large rents or profits per worker. This is why financial centers and resource-rich states can appear higher in per-capita lists even when their household medians are lower.
Concrete example: a state with a prominent finance sector may have large total personal income driven by high wages at the top and by corporate earnings allocated to residents, which raises per-capita personal income. The same state could have a lower median household income if household structure, cost of living, or uneven income distribution reduce the middle household’s income. BEA and ACS documentation together clarify these distinctions and should be cited when explaining divergent results BEA personal income by state page.
Which metric is more useful for readers and voters: a practical guide
For voter information and typical household experience, median household income is generally more useful because it shows the middle household’s resources. Use ACS median household income when comparing typical household wellbeing across states and when writing voter-facing context about living standards or household purchasing power U.S. Census Bureau ACS median household income page. (See the about page about page.)
Per-capita personal income is informative when assessing aggregate economic capacity, the influence of particular industries, or when comparing income generated per resident. Use BEA per-capita figures to illustrate the role of high-earning industries or resource sectors in state-level income totals BEA personal income by state page. (See a recent overview Income and Wealth in the United States: An Overview of Recent Data.)
quick reproducibility checklist for checking ACS and BEA tables
Save table names and screenshots for documentation
When preparing reporting or voter information, always label the metric, data year, and source. If you are summarizing both measures, state explicitly that median household income and per-capita personal income measure different concepts and link to the primary tables for readers who want the raw numbers. (See the news page news page.)
Common errors and pitfalls when publishing ‘richest states’ lists
A frequent mistake is confusing city or metropolitan lists with state-level rankings. City lists reflect municipal or metro boundaries and typically use different denominators; do not substitute a city list when you mean to compare states. Always check the geographic unit in the table before publishing and cite the primary source.
Another common error is ignoring ACS margins of error. When two states’ median estimates overlap within their margins of error, avoid strict ordering and instead report ties, ranges, or note that differences are not statistically significant. The ACS methodology page provides step-by-step guidance on interpreting and reporting margins of error ACS methodology and reliability of income estimates.
Also avoid copying secondary tables without verifying primary data. Secondary analyses are useful for context, but reporters and researchers should check the original ACS and BEA tables before publishing any ranked list. Good practice is to save the table name, a screenshot, and the release date for documentation and later verification.
Practical examples: using these rankings in reporting or voter information scenarios
Local reporting example: a short news brief comparing a state’s median household income to the national median can say: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS 2023 1-year estimates, State X’s median household income was $Y; differences with State Z fall within ACS margins of error, so the two should be reported as statistically indistinguishable.” Cite the ACS table when publishing the brief U.S. Census Bureau ACS median household income page. (See FRED data Real Median Household Income by State.)
Voter informational example: a voter guide explaining household resources could use median household income and say: “ACS 2023 median household income indicates the middle household’s resources in State X, which helps explain local cost pressures and typical earnings for families.” Attach the ACS table name and release year to the guide for transparency.
Headline and body templates: For headlines, use cautious attribution such as “ACS 2023: States Most Often in the Top Five by Median Household Income.” For body text, use a template like: “BEA 2023 per-capita personal income figures show that State A, State B, and State C commonly rank near the top for per-person income; this reflects aggregate income and industry structure rather than typical household experience.” These templates keep sourcing and metric labeling clear BEA personal income by state page.
Methodological notes, margins of error, and the DC question
The ACS reports margin of error values for each median household income estimate. When two states’ median estimates overlap within their margins of error, avoid strict ordering and instead report ties, ranges, or note that differences are not statistically significant. The ACS methodology documentation explains how to use margin of error values in comparisons ACS methodology and reliability of income estimates.
District of Columbia is not a state. Authors compiling “richest states” lists must state whether DC is included or excluded and should avoid calling DC a state in any headline or metadata. When DC is included for comparison, label it clearly as the District of Columbia so readers understand the geographic unit used in the ranking.
BEA documentation and state GDP tables are also helpful when readers want to understand sectoral drivers and per-capita relationships. For GDP and sectoral context, consult BEA state GDP pages in addition to the personal income tables BEA GDP by state page.
Sources and next steps: primary data lookup and how to read the BEA and ACS tables
Cite primary source pages by name and table when publishing: use the ACS median household income table for 2023 and the BEA personal income by state tables for 2023. Check release dates before publishing, and include the table name and publication year in your citation for reproducibility U.S. Census Bureau ACS median household income page.
To check for updated releases, revisit the ACS and BEA pages and note the release date. Save screenshots or table filenames when you download or cite numbers. Secondary analyses can be helpful for quick reference, but primary tables are the authoritative records and should be the basis of any published ranking BEA personal income by state page.
Median household income shows the middle household's income and reflects typical household resources; per-capita personal income divides total personal income by the resident population and highlights aggregate income per person.
No, DC is not a state; if you include it for comparison, label it clearly as the District of Columbia and state whether your list is states-only or includes DC.
Journalists should cite the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 1-year estimates table for state median household income and include margin of error notes when relevant.
For further reporting, save the table names and release dates. Primary ACS and BEA tables remain the authoritative sources for state-level wealth comparisons.
References
- https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs
- https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-income-by-state
- https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/methodology.html
- https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/contact/
- https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2024/demo/acsbr-023.pdf?
- https://fred.stlouisfed.org/release/tables?eid=259515&rid=249
- https://www.pgpf.org/article/income-and-wealth-in-the-united-states-an-overview-of-recent-data/
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/news/
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/about/
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Which states commonly appear among the top five richest states in the USA using 2023 data and why do lists differ by metric?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Using ACS 2023 median household income, Maryland, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and Connecticut most often appear near the top; using BEA 2023 per-capita personal income, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California, and Alaska commonly rank near the top. The lists differ because median household income measures the middle household while per-capita personal income spreads total personal income across every resident, making the choice of metric crucial for interpretation."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the difference between median household income and per-capita personal income?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Median household income shows the middle household's income and reflects typical household resources; per-capita personal income divides total personal income by the resident population and highlights aggregate income per person."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Should I include the District of Columbia in a list of richest states?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No, DC is not a state; if you include it for comparison, label it clearly as the District of Columbia and state whether your list is states-only or includes DC."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Which source should journalists cite for state median household income?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Journalists should cite the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 1-year estimates table for state median household income and include margin of error notes when relevant."}}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://michaelcarbonara.com"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https://michaelcarbonara.com/news/%22%7D,%7B%22@type%22:%22ListItem%22,%22position%22:3,%22name%22:%22Artikel%22,%22item%22:%22https://michaelcarbonara.com%22%7D]%7D,%7B%22@type%22:%22WebSite%22,%22name%22:%22Michael Carbonara","url":"https://michaelcarbonara.com"},{"@type":"BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://michaelcarbonara.com"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Michael Carbonara","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1eomrpqryWDWU8PPJMN7y_iqX_l1jOlw9=s250"}},"image":["https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1gN0CMOJNXwHNKb8pq4yFxf9qz8XYskAb=s1200","https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1dzJMvGRzfct2enHCmTF-BwRTAyFBE1-a=s1200","https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1eomrpqryWDWU8PPJMN7y_iqX_l1jOlw9=s250"]}]}
