Massachusetts has poverty levels that are significantly lower than almost half the country's, but when measured against its peers, the numbers don't look as appealing.
A Census Bureau snapshot shows the income disparity in one of the country's wealthiest states, where about 9% of residents live in poverty.
Here's what to know
Measured as a three-year state average, Massachusetts recorded a 9.1% poverty rate, 0.1 percentage point lower than the three-year average from 2025, WWLP reported.
At 10.7%, the national three-year poverty average placed the state near the bottom of the range.
Massachusetts' rate was "significantly lower" than the nation's and those of 20 states yet "significantly higher" than the eight states with the lowest poverty levels.
That higher performing group featured Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Utah, and Vermont.
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More background
Nationally, the 2025 Census release reported real median household income of $87,460. The report also said the poverty rate dropped to 10.2%, a decline of 0.5 percentage points, per WWLP.
The bureau also counted 26.7 million people (7.9% of Americans) as uninsured for the entire year.
What's being done?
The bureau separately released a paper on how state and federal taxes can have a "substantial effect" on household economic well-being.
Drawing on combined information from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 tax years, that analysis worked out each state's income tax liability, credits, and post-tax income.
Massachusetts had the highest median household pretax income, $114,600, and the highest median household post-tax income, $95,530, though the Census Bureau said a handful of states were close enough to fall within the margin of error.
Where can I learn more?
These articles examine pressure on household budgets nationwide and how energy, grocery, and housing costs, and even temperature swings are adding to that strain.
• Across the U.S., low-income households are cutting back on groceries as energy bills climb.
• Nationwide, groceries and gas strain budgets as most Americans say affordability is worsening.
• Researchers found cold temperatures can deepen poverty.
• High temperatures have already shrunk salaries and dragged down growth.
• A Harvard housing analysis found the median home now demands a $120,000 income.
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