The consumer price index has risen steadily almost every month for the past two and a half years, hitting a decade-high of 9.1% in June 2022. Though inflation has since cooled, falling to 7.7% in October, CPI remains at historic highs and Americans across the country are feeling the pinch — especially those unable to afford the rising costs . (The price of this household item is increasing.)
According to five-year estimates from the US Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey, a typical American household earns $64,994 per year. But almost every state has cities where most households earn far less.
Of the six Montana locations with available data and populations of at least 25,000, Butte-Silver Bow is the poorest. The typical Butte-Silver Bow household earns $49,659 per year, compared to the national median household income of $56,539.
Housing values often reflect what people can afford. And in Butte-Silver Bow, the typical home is worth $156,400 compared to the typical Montana home, which is worth $244,900.
For purposes of this story, all US Census Bureau-recorded locations with a population of 25,000 or more are considered cities. All data in this story is from the ACS.
| Federal State | poorest city | Median Household Income ($) | Median Household Income in State ($) | Median home value ($) | Median home value in the state ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Bessemer | 30,284 | 52,035 | 100,100 | 149,600 |
| Alaska | Fairbanks | 64,397 | 77,790 | 217,700 | 275,600 |
| Arizona | san luis | 41,648 | 61,529 | 128,500 | 242,000 |
| Arkansas | Pine Bluff | 34,410 | 49,475 | 74,900 | 133,600 |
| California | Coachella | 33,999 | 78,672 | 238,500 | 538,500 |
| Colorado | Pueblo | 42,902 | 75,231 | 149,600 | 369,900 |
| Connecticut | Hartford | 36,154 | 79,855 | 170,200 | 279,700 |
| Delaware | Wilmington | 45.139 | 69.110 | 173,500 | 258,300 |
| Florida | University (Hillsborough County) | 29,380 | 57,703 | 91,900 | 232,000 |
| Georgia | Statesboro | 32,790 | 61,224 | 115,100 | 190,200 |
| Hawaii | Hilo | 65,727 | 83,173 | 341,500 | 636,400 |
| Idaho | Rexburg | 33,278 | 58,915 | 221,700 | 235,600 |
| Illinois | East St Louis | 24.009 | 68,428 | 53,900 | 202,100 |
| Indiana | gary | 31,315 | 58,235 | 68,400 | 148,900 |
| Iowa | Clinton | 46,066 | 61,836 | 100,800 | 153,900 |
| Kansas | Kansas City | 46,424 | 61,091 | 101,300 | 157,600 |
| Kentucky | Richmond | 39,329 | 52,238 | 148,900 | 147,100 |
| Louisiana | monroe | 31,926 | 50,800 | 150,000 | 168,100 |
| Maine | Lewisston | 42,969 | 59,489 | 150,100 | 198,000 |
| Maryland | Hagerstown | 41,905 | 87,063 | 160,000 | 325,400 |
| Massachusetts | jumping field | 41,571 | 84,385 | 162,900 | 398,800 |
| Michigan | flint | 30,383 | 59,234 | 31,700 | 162,600 |
| Minnesota | Winona | 48,653 | 73,382 | 153,500 | 235,700 |
| Mississippi | Greenville | 29.013 | 46,511 | 79,900 | 125,500 |
| Missouri | jumping field | 37,491 | 57,290 | 122,200 | 163,600 |
| Montana | Butte Silver Bow | 49,659 | 56,539 | 156,400 | 244,900 |
| Nebraska | Fremont | 54,291 | 63,015 | 140,400 | 164,000 |
| Nevada | Winchester | 39,368 | 62,043 | 172,300 | 290,200 |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | 62,087 | 77,923 | 241,600 | 272,300 |
| New Jersey | Camden | 28,623 | 85,245 | 82,500 | 343,500 |
| New Mexico | south valley | 41,537 | 51,243 | 153,400 | 175,700 |
| new York | Jamestown | 34,767 | 71.117 | 66,400 | 325,000 |
| North Carolina | Asheboro | 37.171 | 56,642 | 119,700 | 182,100 |
| North Dakota | Big forks | 50,194 | 65,315 | 209,800 | 199,900 |
| Ohio | labyrinth | 27.108 | 58.116 | 66,100 | 151,400 |
| Oklahoma | still water | 34,906 | 53,840 | 185,300 | 142,400 |
| Oregon | Grants Passport | 46,580 | 65,667 | 260,400 | 336,700 |
| Pennsylvania | Chester | 32,867 | 63,627 | 70,300 | 187,500 |
| Rhode Island | Woonsocket | 44,310 | 70,305 | 191,500 | 276,600 |
| South Carolina | Anderson | 33,569 | 54,864 | 138,000 | 170,100 |
| South Dakota | fast city | 53,760 | 59,896 | 194,100 | 174,600 |
| Tennessee | Morristown | 33,511 | 54,833 | 119,500 | 177,600 |
| Texas | Huntsville | 31.020 | 63,826 | 168,800 | 187,200 |
| Utah | logan | 43,056 | 74,197 | 216,200 | 305,400 |
| Vermont | Burlington | 55,461 | 63,477 | 312,200 | 230,900 |
| Virginia | Danville | 37.147 | 76,398 | 95,500 | 282,800 |
| Washington | Pullman | 32,073 | 77.006 | 287,700 | 366,800 |
| West Virginia | huntington | 33.012 | 48,037 | 100,300 | 123,200 |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee | 43,125 | 63,293 | 128,300 | 189,200 |
| Wyoming | Laramie | 47,463 | 65,304 | 225,400 | 228,000 |
