{"id":892450,"date":"2026-06-25T19:42:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T19:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/892450\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T19:42:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T19:42:17","slug":"california-has-one-of-the-worst-income-inequality-divides-in-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/892450\/","title":{"rendered":"California has one of the worst income inequality divides in the US"},"content":{"rendered":"

The rich in the Golden State earn much more than the poor, who are just getting by with one paycheck at a time \u2014 making California the 5th worst state when it comes to income inequality<\/a>.<\/p>\n

An analysis of the latest Bureau of Labor<\/a> statistics shows that Virginia sits at the top of the list for the worst divide between the rich and the poor. Virginia is followed by New York, Maryland and Texas, all tied at No. 2.<\/p>\n

A detailed examination of California\u2019s wage distribution<\/a> reveals significant disparities.<\/p>\n

A map of the US states shows the best and worst income gaps in the country. Analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data<\/p>\n

The income gap in California has contributed greatly to the housing affordability crisis. Analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data<\/p>\n

California workers<\/a> in the 75th percentile earned a median annual income of $97,900 \u2014 the fifth-highest in the nation and 33% above the US average of $80,500.<\/p>\n

The remaining 25th percentile earned only $41,600.\u00a0The income difference between the 75th and 25th percentiles is a whopping 135%, bypassing the national gap of 114%, reported the Orange County Register<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Maryland\u2019s income gap between the 75th and 25th percentiles stands at 149%, while New Jersey recorded 149% followed by New York at 140% and Virginia at 137%.<\/p>\n

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Maine, Vermont and South Dakota recorded the lowest gaps between the rich and poor. Getty Images<\/p>\n

California is the home of over 200 billionaires and there is no dearth of people earning a lavish amount of money annually. The average of annual earnings<\/a> of wealthy Golden Staters was $159,000, the second highest in the country and way above than the national average of $128,600.<\/p>\n

But, the flip side of the coin isn\u2019t as promising. The low earning Californians averaged only $36,000 annually, making it a 343% void between the rich and the poor. It stands as the fourth widest gap in the nation, with Texas at 360%, Virginia at 355% and Massachusetts at 349%. <\/p>\n

Some of the states that recorded the least income different between the high and low earners are Maine at 200%, Vermont at 210% and South Dakota at 224%. <\/p>\n

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