Economy

Income, cost of living, jobs, and economic indicators compared by state.

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Bright daycare classroom with toys and child activity areas

Average Childcare Cost by State

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Restaurant bill with a pen and tip line filled in, representing tipping culture in America

Average Tip by State

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Bright daycare classroom with toys and child activity areas

Average Childcare Cost by State

Massachusetts has the highest infant care cost at $26,709 a year. Mississippi has the lowest at $6,868.

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Restaurant bill with a pen and tip line filled in, representing tipping culture in America

Average Tip by State

Delaware has the highest average tip at 21.5%. California ranks last at 17.3%. The national average is 19.4%. Full tipping data for all 50 states.

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Aerial view of a large suburban subdivision with repeating homes and streets

HOA Prevalence by State

Nevada leads at 51.3% of owned homes paying condo or HOA fees. North Dakota is lowest at 7.7%, and New York has the highest median fee at $739.

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Map showing the 2026 minimum wage in each U.S. state

Minimum Wage by State 2026

Washington has the highest minimum wage at $16.66, while 20 states remain at the $7.25 federal minimum.

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Map showing the most common job in each U.S. state

Most Common Job in Each State

Fast food and counter workers are the most common job group in 15 states, followed by home health aides, managers, and retail salespersons.

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Coastal city skyline with mountains and ocean in the background

Cost of Living by State 2026

Hawaii has the highest cost of living index at 187, while West Virginia has the lowest at 83.6.

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Gas station canopy beside a wide road under a bright sky

Gas Prices by State 2026

California has the highest average regular gas price, while Oklahoma and Kansas are among the cheapest states.

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Large homes clustered along a sunny coastal hillside

Median Home Value by State 2026

Hawaii has the highest median home value, above $800,000, while West Virginia is the most affordable at about $125,000.

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Downtown skyline with office towers and apartment buildings at sunset

Median Household Income by State 2026

Maryland has the highest median household income among U.S. states, at more than $98,000.

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Modest residential neighborhood with closely spaced homes

Poverty Rate by State 2026

Louisiana has the highest poverty rate among U.S. states at 18.9%, while New Hampshire and Maryland have the lowest rates.

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Factory workers on a production line handling packaged goods

Unemployment Rate by State 2026

California and New Jersey have the highest unemployment rates, while Hawaii and South Dakota have the lowest at 2.2%.

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Map of the United States showing craft brewery counts by state, with California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Colorado highlighted as the top states

States With the Most Breweries

California has the most breweries of any U.S. state, with craft beer production totals showing the largest beer states.

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Gas tax by state map 2026 showing all 50 U.S. states ranked from Pennsylvania at 57.6 cents per gallon to Alaska at 8.95 cents

Gas Tax by State 2026

Pennsylvania has the highest state gas tax at 57.6 cents per gallon, while Alaska has the lowest at 8.95 cents.

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Purchasing power map showing the real value of money by state in the U.S. — Mississippi leads at $116 per $100, Hawaii trails at $88

Real Value of $100 by State

$100 goes furthest in Mississippi, where it is worth about $116, and least far in Hawaii, where it is worth about $88.

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