These Are America’s Poorest States, Ranked
#12: Montana
Median income per household: $54, 970
Rate of poverty: 12.6%
Montana, once celebrated as ‘The Treasure State’ for its mineral wealth, now faces dwindling coal production. Despite a 26% surge in median rent since 1990, incomes lag behind. A striking 68% of low-income renters, mainly in retail, food service, and healthcare, allocate over 30% of their wages to rent, underscoring the affordability crisis.
The economic landscape is challenging, as one in four Montana jobs pays under the poverty threshold of $24,300 for a family of four. In such tight financial conditions, residents find solace in augmenting their income through online surveys and video viewing for gift cards.
