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

Rising tariffs have historically contributed to higher consumer prices in the United States. Research on past tariff increases, including those implemented in 2018, found that much of the added cost was passed directly on to domestic consumers through higher prices on imported goods. When prices rise, lower-income households are often hit the hardest, and some cities across the country face significantly higher levels of economic hardship than others.

Inflation and rising living costs tend to disproportionately impact lower-income Americans. Higher-income households are generally better positioned to absorb increased expenses through savings or access to credit, while many lower-income households rely on steady paychecks to cover essential needs. As a result, even modest increases in everyday costs can create financial strain.

Many of the cities on this list also have housing markets where home values fall below both state and national averages. In over half of these locations, the median home value is at least $75,000 lower than the statewide median, reflecting broader economic challenges in these communities.

History Computer identified the poorest city in every state using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey. Within each state, the city with the lowest median household income was selected. Only cities, towns, municipalities, and unincorporated communities with populations of at least 50,000 were considered. Vermont and West Virginia do not have communities that meet this threshold and were excluded. In Alaska, Delaware, and Maine, only one qualifying city met the population requirement and is therefore listed by default. Supplemental data is also sourced from the American Community Survey, with population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

• 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