41. North Carolina
> Median household income: $47,830
> Population: 10,042,802 (9th highest)
> 2015 Unemployment rate: 5.7% (15th highest)
> Poverty rate: 16.4% (12th highest)
North Carolina is one of the poorest states in the nation with a median household income of $47,830 a year. This figure is notably higher than in 2014, however, when median income, adjusted for inflation, was $46,585. Despite the improvement, poverty is still high in the state. At 16.4%, the state’s poverty rate is 12th highest of all states.
Low incomes tend to accompany low home values — and North Carolina is a case in point. Statewide, homes are valued at just $160,100, or more than $30,000 below the national median value of $194,500.