Who Has a Higher Average Income? Red States vs. Blue States

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The comparison between average incomes in red states (Republican-leaning) and blue states (Democrat-leaning) often sparks interesting discussions regarding economic policies, cost of living, and quality of life. Based on the data from the 2020 presidential election of Donald Trump against President Joe Biden which was won by Joe Biden by an electoral vote of 306 to 232. Data also sourced from Tax Foundation 2023 to determine income and tax burdens. Let’s examine the average take-home salaries for single and married filers in selected red and blue states to see if any patterns emerge.

Learn: How Rich Is Former President Donald Trump?Also: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

Red States (Republican)

1. Alabama:
   • Median income: $54,943
   • Tax burden: 20.92%
   • Annual salary taken home: $43,447
2. Alaska:
   • Median income: $80,287
   • Tax burden: 20.01%
   • Annual salary taken home: $64,221
3. Arkansas:
   • Median income: $52,123
   • Tax burden: 20.67%
   • Annual salary taken home: $41,352
4. Florida:
   • Median income: $61,777
   • Tax burden: 17.12%
   • Annual salary taken home: $51,200
5. Idaho:
   • Median income: $63,377
   • Tax burden: 22.05%
   • Annual salary taken home: $49,401
6. Indiana:
   • Median income: $61,944
   • Tax burden: 20.31%
   • Annual salary taken home: $49,366
7. Iowa:
   • Median income: $65,429
   • Tax burden: 22.89%
   • Annual salary taken home: $50,455
8. Kansas:
   • Median income: $64,521
   • Tax burden: 22.33%
   • Annual salary taken home: $50,109
9. Kentucky:
   • Median income: $55,454
   • Tax burden: 20.54%
   • Annual salary taken home: $44,069
10. Louisiana:
    • Median income: $53,571
    • Tax burden: 19.30%
    • Annual salary taken home: $43,230
11. Mississippi:
    • Median income: $49,111
    • Tax burden: 19.57%
    • Annual salary taken home: $39,502
12. Missouri:
    • Median income: $61,043
    • Tax burden: 20.84%
    • Annual salary taken home: $48,320
13. Montana:
    • Median income: $60,560
    • Tax burden: 22.14%
    • Annual salary taken home: $47,152
14. Nebraska:
    • Median income: $66,644
    • Tax burden: 22.62%
    • Annual salary taken home: $51,573
15. North Dakota:
    • Median income: $68,131
    • Tax burden: 19.38%
    • Annual salary taken home: $54,925
16. North Carolina:
    • Median income: $60,516
    • Tax burden: 20.61%
    • Annual salary taken home: $48,044
17. Ohio:
    • Median income: $61,938
    • Tax burden: 18.93%
    • Annual salary taken home: $50,208
18. Oklahoma:
    • Median income: $56,956
    • Tax burden: 20.24%
    • Annual salary taken home: $45,431
19. South Carolina:
    • Median income: $58,234
    • Tax burden: 20.93%
    • Annual salary taken home: $46,048
20. South Dakota:
    • Median income: $63,920
    • Tax burden: 17.54%
    • Annual salary taken home: $52,707
21. Tennessee:
    • Median income: $58,516
    • Tax burden: 16.43%
    • Annual salary taken home: $48,900
22. Texas:
    • Median income: $67,321
    • Tax burden: 18.15%
    • Annual salary taken home: $55,100
23. Utah:
    • Median income: $79,133
    • Tax burden: 24.77%
    • Annual salary taken home: $59,530
24. West Virginia:
    • Median income: $50,884
    • Tax burden: 20.33%
    • Annual salary taken home: $40,539
25. Wyoming:
    • Median income: $68,002
    • Tax burden: 18.27%
    • Annual salary taken home: $55,579

Blue States (Democratic)

1. Arizona:
   • Median income: $65,913
   • Tax burden: 19.92%
   • Annual salary taken home: $52,786
2. California:
   • Median income: $84,097
   • Tax burden: 25.65%
   • Annual salary taken home: $62,525
3. Colorado:
   • Median income: $80,184
   • Tax burden: 23.82%
   • Annual salary taken home: $61,090
4. Connecticut:
   • Median income: $83,572
   • Tax burden: 25.35%
   • Annual salary taken home: $62,387
5. Delaware:
   • Median income: $72,724
   • Tax burden: 23.92%
   • Annual salary taken home: $55,332
6. Georgia:
   • Median income: $65,030
   • Tax burden: 22.76%
   • Annual salary taken home: $50,232
7. Hawaii:
   • Median income: $88,005
   • Tax burden: 28.06%
   • Annual salary taken home: $63,318
8. Illinois:
   • Median income: $72,563
   • Tax burden: 23.93%
   • Annual salary taken home: $55,196
9. Maine:
   • Median income: $63,182
   • Tax burden: 22.42%
   • Annual salary taken home: $49,016
10. Maryland:
    • Median income: $91,431
    • Tax burden: 25.76%
    • Annual salary taken home: $67,883
11. Massachusetts:
    • Median income: $89,026
    • Tax burden: 25.96%
    • Annual salary taken home: $65,919
12. Michigan:
    • Median income: $63,202
    • Tax burden: 21.65%
    • Annual salary taken home: $49,516
13. Minnesota:
    • Median income: $77,706
    • Tax burden: 24.84%
    • Annual salary taken home: $58,405
14. Nevada:
    • Median income: $65,686
    • Tax burden: 17.87%
    • Annual salary taken home: $53,950
15. New Hampshire:
    • Median income: $83,449
    • Tax burden: 20.38%
    • Annual salary taken home: $66,446
16. New Jersey:
    • Median income: $89,703
    • Tax burden: 25.02%
    • Annual salary taken home: $67,256
17. New Mexico:
    • Median income: $54,020
    • Tax burden: 19.38%
    • Annual salary taken home: $43,554
18. New York:
    • Median income: $75,157
    • Tax burden: 24.29%
    • Annual salary taken home: $56,897
19. Oregon:
    • Median income: $70,084
    • Tax burden: 26.69%
    • Annual salary taken home: $51,380
20. Pennsylvania:
    • Median income: $67,587
    • Tax burden: 21.27%
    • Annual salary taken home: $53,212
21. Rhode Island:
    • Median income: $74,489
    • Tax burden: 22.54%
    • Annual salary taken home: $57,698
22. Vermont:
    • Median income: $67,674
    • Tax burden: 22.22%
    • Annual salary taken home: $52,631
23. Virginia:
    • Median income: $80,615
    • Tax burden: 25.16%
    • Annual salary taken home: $60,333
24. Washington:
    • Median income: $82,400
    • Tax burden: 20.26%
    • Annual salary taken home: $65,707
25. Wisconsin:
    • Median income: $67,080
    • Tax burden: 22.02%
    • Annual salary taken home: $52,307

Analysis

Based on the data:

• Average Median Income for Red States: $63,553
• Average Tax Burden for Red States: 20.60%
• Average Annual Salary Taken Home for Red States: $50,460
• Average Median Income for Blue States: $74,243
• Average Tax Burden for Blue States: 23.46%
• Average Annual Salary Taken Home for Blue States: $56,795

Conclusion

The updated analysis shows that blue states have a higher average median income compared to red states. However, blue states also have a higher average tax burden. Despite the higher taxes, residents in blue states still take home a higher average annual salary compared to those in red states.

Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.

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