- Florida ranks 36th in the nation (15th worst) in household income, more than $9,000 per year below the national average
- At the same time, Florida’s home values remain high, making the state one of the worst in overall affordability
- Inflation and higher prices overall are also putting the squeeze on Florida households, but unemployment rates remain better than the national average
Severe inflation continues to plague the U.S. economy, and higher prices have been particularly hard to bear on those with lower pay. While incomes have been generally rising, they have not matched inflation, eroding real wages.
According to census data released in September, the typical U.S. household income was $69,717 in 2021, about $4,000 higher compared to 2019, the last time the Census released an annual American Community Survey, having skipped a year due to data collection problems tied to the pandemic.
While the median income increased nationwide, in many states, wages did not rise to the same degree and remain far lower than average.
The latest census data shows that the typical household in Florida earns $63,062 per year, the 15th lowest median household income among states, and $6,655 less than the national median.
Home values are often a reflection of what local populations can afford, however, even though incomes are lower than average in Florida, home values are not. The typical home in the state is worth $290,700, above the national median home value of $281,400, according to the 2021 ACS.
| Rank | State | Median household income ($) | Median home value ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | 48,716 | 145,600 |
| 2 | West Virginia | 51,248 | 143,200 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 52,087 | 192,800 |
| 4 | Arkansas | 52,528 | 162,300 |
| 5 | Alabama | 53,913 | 172,800 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 53,992 | 214,000 |
| 7 | Kentucky | 55,573 | 173,300 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 55,826 | 168,500 |
| 9 | South Carolina | 59,318 | 213,500 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 59,695 | 235,200 |
| 11 | Missouri | 61,847 | 198,300 |
| 12 | North Carolina | 61,972 | 236,900 |
| 13 | Ohio | 62,262 | 180,200 |
| 14 | Indiana | 62,743 | 182,400 |
| 15 | Florida | 63,062 | 290,700 |
| 16 | Montana | 63,249 | 322,800 |
| 17 | Michigan | 63,498 | 199,100 |
| 18 | Kansas | 64,124 | 183,800 |
| 19 | Maine | 64,767 | 252,100 |
| 20 | Wyoming | 65,204 | 266,400 |
| 21 | Iowa | 65,600 | 174,400 |
| 22 | South Dakota | 66,143 | 219,900 |
| 23 | Nevada | 66,274 | 373,000 |
| 24 | Idaho | 66,474 | 369,300 |
| 25 | North Dakota | 66,519 | 224,400 |
| 26 | Georgia | 66,559 | 249,700 |
| 27 | Nebraska | 66,817 | 204,900 |
| 28 | Texas | 66,963 | 237,400 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | 67,125 | 230,700 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | 68,957 | 222,300 |
| 31 | Arizona | 69,056 | 336,300 |
| 32 | Delaware | 71,091 | 300,500 |
| 33 | Oregon | 71,562 | 422,700 |
| 34 | Illinois | 72,205 | 231,500 |
| 35 | Vermont | 72,431 | 271,500 |
| 36 | Rhode Island | 74,008 | 348,100 |
| 37 | New York | 74,314 | 368,800 |
| 38 | Minnesota | 77,720 | 285,400 |
| 39 | Alaska | 77,845 | 304,900 |
| 40 | Utah | 79,449 | 421,700 |
| 41 | Virginia | 80,963 | 330,600 |
| 42 | Colorado | 82,254 | 466,200 |
| 43 | Connecticut | 83,771 | 311,500 |
| 44 | Washington | 84,247 | 485,700 |
| 45 | Hawaii | 84,857 | 722,500 |
| 46 | California | 84,907 | 648,100 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | 88,465 | 345,200 |
| 48 | New Jersey | 89,296 | 389,800 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 89,645 | 480,600 |
| 50 | Maryland | 90,203 | 370,800 |
Duh. Notice anything in common with the top 15 losers? Yep, they’re all red states. Keep voting for Republicans if you want to see how bad off you can really be! Harding, Coolidge and Hoover…the first conservatives to cause and maintain The Great Depression. Some people never learn.
I understand the inclination to gather the low hanging fruit and blast away the other side. But you are not getting the whole picture in Mr. Stebbins article. There are many factors other than gross income that should be considered to effectively measure one’s success or comfort zone. Median household income is only ONE of the many factors to be considered. But, as you said, “Some people never learn”
If you look at the middle state income range of $62,000 through $66,000 Florida is in that middle group. People do not realize the impact of illegal immigrant labor until you look at these numbers. These are states where unskilled labor gravitates to IF they want to work. Lots of agricultural jobs and lower-level industrial jobs. This glut of cheapo labor has a trickle up effect on the legitimate labor market. When you factor in all those welfare recipients working below the table and off the books, it is amazing wages are as high as they are. We solve this problem at the polls by getting rid of progressives who have ruined our country’s immigration system.
The same people flooding our labor market bring disease and crime with them. Let’s make a change!
I am curious, did these numbers take into consideration NET income, where, for example, consideration is given for NO STATE INCOME TAX? If no, factor in NY @ 8.82%, NJ @10.54%,DC @ 9% and Calif @13%. Also compare local taxes, housing costs, etc. As Robert Kiyosaki (and others) have said “it’s not what you earn, it’s how much you keep.” I think given these considerations the list above might change a bit………….
Disney employs thousands of low wage theme Park workers. The constant migration to and from Florida means low, low wages. Minimum wage is a poverty wage and at least 20% of FL jobs are min wage. Very easy to hire and fire. Retirees will work cheaper. Extremely low unemployment payouts cause desperation in claimants, while businesses pay a smaller percentage for unemployment funding. The GOP owns Florida. Governors and Senators have cut back room deals that enrich the 1% and screw the bottom 90% of Floridians. I believe the ranking of 36th may be an overestimation. Look at Florida schools. Look at zoning disasters causing Browardization from Pensacola to Cutler Ridge to Cape Coral. Bad political decisions have ruined old Florida, and the GOP owns the Florida property insurance mess 100%.