Are You Below or Above the Poverty Line in Your State?

PeopleImages / Getty Images
PeopleImages / Getty Images

Poverty in America remains one of its biggest social issues. Federal poverty guidelines range from $12,760 for a one-person household to $44,120 for an eight-person family group. A salary of $12,760 means that a one-person household has only about $35 a day for necessities such as rent, food and transportation. The poverty line for a family of eight translates to just about $120 per day, which is far from enough for a family of that size to maintain a comfortable standard of living.

The cost of living can also vary widely from state to state, meaning you’ll encounter significant differences between the federal and state poverty guidelines. In reality, poverty in certain areas can be more severe than what the nationwide numbers imply, and state poverty rates range between about 8% and 21%. That’s why GOBankingRates conducted a study to reveal the actual poverty line for families of various sizes in every state, after factoring in the local cost of living.

Read More: 23 Reasons You Will Always Be Poor

In some states, low-income families have a little more financial breathing room to keep their heads above water. In other states, it’s understandable how different costs can seem to keep piling on for people who are already among the most vulnerable in society. Whether you’re living alone or supporting a larger family, learning the actual poverty line in your state can be an important wake-up call about economic inequality.

Last updated: March 2, 2021

Montgomery, Alabama, USA with the State Capitol at dawn.
Montgomery, Alabama, USA with the State Capitol at dawn.

Alabama

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,025

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $14,895

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $18,766

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $22,637

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $26,508

Related: Best and Worst States To Be Poor in America

Ketchikan, Alaska - September 30 2017: Night aerial/drone view on Front Street, downtown with Welcome to Alaska 1st City neon sign, buildings, vehicles driving and parked, people walking and standing.
Ketchikan, Alaska - September 30 2017: Night aerial/drone view on Front Street, downtown with Welcome to Alaska 1st City neon sign, buildings, vehicles driving and parked, people walking and standing.

Alaska

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $15,950

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $21,550

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $27,150

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $32,750

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $38,350

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TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA - APRIL 17, 2018: The O.
TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA - APRIL 17, 2018: The O.

Arizona

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,313

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,637

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $20,960

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,283

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $29,606

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Arkansas
Arkansas

Arkansas

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $10,884

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $14,706

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $18,527

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $22,349

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $26,170

Women and men walking and jogging along the Downtown Oakland waterfront with Lake Merritt in the foreground.
Women and men walking and jogging along the Downtown Oakland waterfront with Lake Merritt in the foreground.

California

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $14,725

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $19,895

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $25,065

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $30,235

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $35,405

Larimer street is a tourism highlight and worth a visit during the night time.
Larimer street is a tourism highlight and worth a visit during the night time.

Colorado

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,002

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,568

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $22,133

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $26,698

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $31,263

Check Out: Your Salary Will Stretch Further in These Key States

Bridgeport is a historic seaport city in the U.
Bridgeport is a historic seaport city in the U.

Connecticut

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,538

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $18,292

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $23,045

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $27,798

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $32,551

Bethany Beach boardwalk at sunrise.
Bethany Beach boardwalk at sunrise.

Delaware

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,607

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,033

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,459

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,886

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $30,312

People on a street car on a sunny day in the picturesque downtown of Tallahassee, the capital city of the southern US state of Florida.
People on a street car on a sunny day in the picturesque downtown of Tallahassee, the capital city of the southern US state of Florida.

Florida

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,837

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,343

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,850

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $26,357

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $30,864

Shops and storefronts on a main street in the  small town of Cairo, Georgia.
Shops and storefronts on a main street in the small town of Cairo, Georgia.

Georgia

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,867

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,033

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $20,200

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $24,366

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $28,532

Beautiful panorama of sailing boats docked at the Ala Wai Harbor the largest yacht harbor of Hawaii and Honolulu skyline at twilight.
Beautiful panorama of sailing boats docked at the Ala Wai Harbor the largest yacht harbor of Hawaii and Honolulu skyline at twilight.

Hawaii

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $14,680

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $19,830

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $24,980

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $30,130

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $35,280

Center of Boise Idaho as seen from above at night.
Center of Boise Idaho as seen from above at night.

Idaho

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,803

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,947

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $20,091

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $24,235

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $28,379

Bridge in Rockford, Illinois, USA.
Bridge in Rockford, Illinois, USA.

Illinois

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,518

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,912

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,307

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,702

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $30,097

"The Coxhall Gardens are a public access space owned by Hamilton County, INdiana Department of Parks and Recreation.
"The Coxhall Gardens are a public access space owned by Hamilton County, INdiana Department of Parks and Recreation.

Indiana

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,395

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,395

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,396

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,397

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,397

Des Moines Iowa skyline taken from the bike path next to the Des Moines River in Autumn - Image.
Des Moines Iowa skyline taken from the bike path next to the Des Moines River in Autumn - Image.

Iowa

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,382

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,378

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,374

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,370

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,367

Wichita, Kansas, USA - Augusst 31, 2018: The confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas River at the Keeper of the Plains near downtown Wichita at dawn.
Wichita, Kansas, USA - Augusst 31, 2018: The confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas River at the Keeper of the Plains near downtown Wichita at dawn.

Kansas

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,484

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,516

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,548

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,580

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,612

Frankfort, Kentucky, USA town skyline on the Kentucky River at dusk.
Frankfort, Kentucky, USA town skyline on the Kentucky River at dusk.

Kentucky

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,203

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,137

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,070

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,004

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $26,937

tourists in French Quarter in New Orleans Lousisana
tourists in French Quarter in New Orleans Lousisana

Louisiana

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,369

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,361

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,353

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,344

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,336

Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state.
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state.

Maine

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,760

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,240

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,720

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $26,200

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $30,680

Annapolis Maryland capitol
Annapolis Maryland capitol

Maryland

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,832

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $18,688

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $23,544

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $28,401

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $33,257

Lobster Pot Restaurant in Province Town.
Lobster Pot Restaurant in Province Town.

Massachusetts

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,998

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $18,912

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $23,827

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $28,741

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $33,656

Downtown Lansing skyline buildings with Grand River and building reflections.
Downtown Lansing skyline buildings with Grand River and building reflections.

Michigan

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,790

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,930

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $20,069

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $24,209

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $28,348

Downtown Minneapolis skyline aerial view with the Minneapolis Convention Center on the left and MN 65 highway on the right.
Downtown Minneapolis skyline aerial view with the Minneapolis Convention Center on the left and MN 65 highway on the right.

Minnesota

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,441

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,809

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,177

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,545

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $29,913

View to small American town.
View to small American town.

Mississippi

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $10,974

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $14,826

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $18,679

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $22,532

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $26,385

Missouri
Missouri

Missouri

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,331

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,309

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,287

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,266

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,244

Whitefish, Montana, USA - May 29, 2009 : view of the main street of Whitefish city in Montana with houses, stores, cars.
Whitefish, Montana, USA - May 29, 2009 : view of the main street of Whitefish city in Montana with houses, stores, cars.

Montana

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,905

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,085

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $20,265

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $24,445

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $28,624

This is a photo of the state capital building in Lincoln Nebraska.
This is a photo of the state capital building in Lincoln Nebraska.

Nebraska

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,420

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,430

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,439

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,449

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,459

Read: These Cities Are Only Getting Poorer

Nevada Las Vegas
Nevada Las Vegas

Nevada

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,441

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,809

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,177

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,545

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $29,913

Dover is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, in the United States of America.
Dover is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, in the United States of America.

New Hampshire

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,526

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $18,274

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $23,023

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $27,772

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $32,521

Ocean City, NJ, USA - September 1, 2013: Ocean City Boardwalk in New Jersey.
Ocean City, NJ, USA - September 1, 2013: Ocean City Boardwalk in New Jersey.

New Jersey

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $14,700

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $19,860

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $25,021

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $30,182

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $35,343

Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico at dusk.
Downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico at dusk.

New Mexico

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,624

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,706

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,787

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,868

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,949

Long Island City, Famous Place, River, Skyscraper, USA.
Long Island City, Famous Place, River, Skyscraper, USA.

New York

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $14,853

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $20,067

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $25,282

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $30,497

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $35,712

visitors in downtown Raleigh North Carolina on Fayetteville Street
visitors in downtown Raleigh North Carolina on Fayetteville Street

North Carolina

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,714

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,826

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,939

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $24,052

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $28,164

Fargo is the most populous city in the state of North Dakota, accounting for over 15% of the state population.
Fargo is the most populous city in the state of North Dakota, accounting for over 15% of the state population.

North Dakota

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,561

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,619

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,678

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,737

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,796

The Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati in the summer
The Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati in the summer

Ohio

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,280

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,240

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,200

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,161

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,121

Muskogee is a town in and the county seat of Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States.
Muskogee is a town in and the county seat of Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States.

Oklahoma

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,280

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,240

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,200

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,161

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,121

Salem Oregon evening skyline
Salem Oregon evening skyline

Oregon

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,900

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,430

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,959

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $26,488

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $31,017

Strip District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Strip District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Pennsylvania

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,441

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,809

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,177

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,545

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $29,913

Woonsocket, Rhode island, USA - August 1, 2017: Daytime view of the historic Stadium Theatre along Main Street in downtown Woonsocket.
Woonsocket, Rhode island, USA - August 1, 2017: Daytime view of the historic Stadium Theatre along Main Street in downtown Woonsocket.

Rhode Island

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,671

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,119

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,568

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $26,017

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $30,465

Charleston, South Carolina, USA - November 23, 2016: Historic downtown Charleston at the busy intersection of Market and Meeting Streets.
Charleston, South Carolina, USA - November 23, 2016: Historic downtown Charleston at the busy intersection of Market and Meeting Streets.

South Carolina

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,624

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,706

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,787

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,868

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,949

Rapid City, South Dakota, USA - May 2, 2019: Evening view of Main Street Square in the Heart of Downtown Rapid City.
Rapid City, South Dakota, USA - May 2, 2019: Evening view of Main Street Square in the Heart of Downtown Rapid City.

South Dakota

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,216

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,154

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,092

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,030

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $26,968

people crossing Broadway Street in Nashville downtown during a bright fall day.
people crossing Broadway Street in Nashville downtown during a bright fall day.

Tennessee

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,471

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,499

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,526

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,554

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $27,581

Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States.
Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States.

Texas

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,352

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,688

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $21,025

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,362

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $29,698

Next Up: 50 Cities Best Prepared To Reignite Their Economy and Job Market

Diminishing perspective on a high-angle view of towers and streets in the centre of Utah's State Capital, Salt Lake City.
Diminishing perspective on a high-angle view of towers and streets in the centre of Utah's State Capital, Salt Lake City.

Utah

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $12,326

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $16,654

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $20,982

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $25,309

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $29,637

The village of South Peacham nestled in the hill side of Vermont.
The village of South Peacham nestled in the hill side of Vermont.

Vermont

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,143

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,757

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $22,372

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $26,986

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $31,600

High angle view of Roanoke Virginia with famous church in the background -- St Andrews Catholic Church.
High angle view of Roanoke Virginia with famous church in the background -- St Andrews Catholic Church.

Virginia

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,015

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $17,585

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $22,154

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $26,724

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $31,294

Pikes Place Market on waterfront in Seattle Washington at dusk
Pikes Place Market on waterfront in Seattle Washington at dusk

Washington

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $13,755

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $18,585

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $23,414

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $28,244

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $33,073

Charleston, West Virginia elevated skyline view (during Autumn), with hills and the Kanawha River included in the view.
Charleston, West Virginia elevated skyline view (during Autumn), with hills and the Kanawha River included in the view.

West Virginia

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,203

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,137

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,070

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $23,004

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $26,937

People walk in front of the Historic Third Ward's Public Market.
People walk in front of the Historic Third Ward's Public Market.

Wisconsin

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,726

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,844

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $19,961

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $24,078

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $28,195

Early morning magenta light illuminates clouds and the Moulton Barn on Mormon Row at the foot of the Grand Tetons near Jackson, Wyoming, USA.
Early morning magenta light illuminates clouds and the Moulton Barn on Mormon Row at the foot of the Grand Tetons near Jackson, Wyoming, USA.

Wyoming

  • Actual poverty line for 1-person household: $11,829

  • Actual poverty line for 2-person household: $15,981

  • Actual poverty line for 3-person household: $20,134

  • Actual poverty line for 4-person household: $24,287

  • Actual poverty line for 5-person household: $28,440

More From GOBankingRates

Methodology: In order to determine each state’s unique poverty guideline income, GOBankingRates sourced the current 2020 Poverty Guidelines from the office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), and factored it by each state’s regional price parity, sourced from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Alaska and Hawaii were excluded from this calculation since they are assigned separate poverty guidelines, reflecting an Office of Economic Opportunity administrative practice beginning in the 1966-1970 period. Poverty guideline incomes were calculated for households with one to eight people. All data was compiled on and up to date as of Sept. 14, 2020. Supplemental data on quintile incomes, median household income and poverty rate are sourced from the Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Are You Below or Above the Poverty Line in Your State?

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