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 11 New Mexico locations with available data and populations of at least 25,000, South Valley is among the poorest. The typical South Valley household earns $41,537 per year, compared to the national median household income of $51,243.
Housing values often reflect what people can afford. And in the South Valley, a typical home is worth $153,400 compared to a typical New Mexico home, which is worth $175,700.
For purposes of this story, all US Census Bureau-recorded locations with a population of 25,000 or more are considered cities. All data in this story is from the ACS.
| Federal State | poorest city | Median Household Income ($) | 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 |
