What states have a surplus?

As of late 2025/early 2026, many states reported significant budget surpluses, with top examples including Wyoming, New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska, and Hawaii, often boosted by energy revenues or strong investment returns, while others like Utah, Tennessee, and Iowa also showed fiscal health, though some projections shift with market conditions like California's strong stock market boost.

Which US states are not in debt?

The state governments with the lowest per capita debt at the end of 2023 were Tennessee, Utah, Nebraska, Idaho, South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Indiana, each with less than $3,000 in debt per resident.

Which US state is the most financially stable?

There isn't one single "most" stable state, as rankings vary, but Utah, South Dakota, North Dakota, Florida, and Wyoming consistently rank high for government fiscal stability, showing strong cash, low debt, and funded pensions. For individual financial well-being, Colorado and Utah often lead due to rising incomes and high discretionary spending, while Vermont stands out for responsible resident borrowing habits. 

Which states are struggling financially?

As of mid-2025, recent studies by WalletHub https://finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-now-2nd-most-financially-190300951.html, WalletHub https://www.fox13news.com/news/states-have-most-people-financial-distress-study-finds, WFSB identify Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, and South Carolina as the most financially distressed states, based on metrics like credit scores, debt searches, and bankruptcy filings, with the South generally showing more struggles, while states like Hawaii, Vermont, and Alaska fare best.
 

Which states give more than they take?

Which states send more to the federal government than they receive? In terms of net contributions, 19 states sent more to the federal government than they received in 2024. The largest gaps were in California ($275.6 billion), New York ($76.5 billion), and Texas ($68.1 billion).

What Causes A State Budget Surplus? - State Policy Experts

Which states are moocher states?

The Moocher States receive far more in federal funding for every dollar paid in taxes. New Mexico gets $3.42, Kentucky gets $3.35, West Virginia receives $2.72, and Alaska gets $2.36. Meanwhile, New Jersey has historically received just 67 cents for every dollar it sends to Washington.

Which states get the most subsidies?

Using this metric, Alaska had the highest rate of federal funding in 2021 at roughly $8,628 per person, a whole 26.5% more than the second-highest state, Rhode Island, which received $6,821.

What state is #1 in poverty?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the state with the highest poverty rate in the U.S., often followed by states like Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia, according to World Population Review data from late 2024/early 2025 and U.S. Census data cited by FCNL and Visual Capitalist. Factors contributing to Mississippi's high poverty include low median household income, lower educational attainment, and higher rates of child poverty, though rates have seen some improvement over the years.
 

Who owns over 70% of the US debt?

No single entity owns over 70% of U.S. debt, but roughly 70-80% is held domestically by U.S. investors and institutions like the Federal Reserve, Social Security, mutual funds, and banks, with the rest held by foreign investors, mainly Japan, China, and the U.K. It's a mix of internal (government-to-government) and public (investors) holdings, with domestic investors holding the largest share of the public debt.
 

How many Americans have $50,000 in their savings account?

Personal Savings in the U.S.

18 percent said their saving were at least $1000 but under $10,000, while 11 percent each had $10,000 to $49,999 and $50,000 or more saved up.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies rank states differently, but Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey frequently appear at the top for quality of life, with Vermont leading in CNBC's metrics (health, environment, inclusion), Massachusetts in WalletHub's overall rankings (healthcare, education), and New Jersey praised for safety and health. States like Minnesota, Idaho, and Utah also consistently rank high, emphasizing factors like strong economies, environments, and community well-being. 

What state is #1 retirement?

There isn't one single "number 1" retirement state, as different studies rank states differently based on priorities like taxes, healthcare, and lifestyle, but Florida often ranks #1 for its tax benefits (no income tax) and quality of life, while New Hampshire leads in some studies for safety, healthcare, and taxes. Other top contenders consistently include Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, offering strong healthcare or affordability. 

Which states are not running a deficit?

The top “sinkhole states” — states lacking the funds to cover their costs — were New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, and California. Conversely, 25 states touted a surplus of funds relative to their total costs and debts. The top surplus states were North Dakota, Alaska, Wyoming, Utah and Tennessee.

What state has the worst debt?

The report found that the California state government carries more debt than any other state with $497 billion in liability. The findings stem from 2023, the most recent year for which complete data was available, according to the Reason Foundation, a think tank with offices in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

What states actually have a balanced budget?

• Utah. #1 in Budget Balancing. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• Kentucky. #2 in Budget Balancing. #39 in Best States Overall. ...
• Florida. #3 in Budget Balancing. ...
• Texas. #4 in Budget Balancing. ...
• New Mexico. #5 in Budget Balancing. ...
• Montana. #6 in Budget Balancing. ...
• Minnesota. #7 in Budget Balancing. ...
• Maryland. #8 in Budget Balancing.

What country owns most of the US debt?

Japan holds the most U.S. debt among foreign countries, a position it regained from China in 2019, with holdings over $1 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom and China as the next largest holders of U.S. Treasury securities, though domestic investors and intragovernmental holdings actually own the largest portions of the total U.S. debt.
 

What percent of Americans are 100% debt free?

Roughly 23% of Americans are completely debt-free, according to recent Federal Reserve data, though figures vary slightly by source and definition, with some showing nearly half (around 43%) having no unsecured debt (like credit cards/loans) and younger generations (Gen Z) being more likely to be debt-free than older ones. While a mortgage isn't always counted, this 23% figure generally includes all debt types (mortgage, student, auto, credit card). 

Who was the last president to balance the US budget?

The last President to oversee balanced federal budgets (with surpluses) was Bill Clinton, from fiscal years 1998 through 2001, a rare achievement in recent history marked by higher revenues and spending cuts. Before Clinton, the last balanced budget was under Lyndon B. Johnson in 1969, with Richard Nixon also seeing a balanced budget in 1969, though Clinton's four consecutive surpluses are notable. 

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

$40,000 a year isn't technically "poverty" for a single person in most areas (as it's above the federal poverty level), but it's a tight budget in high-cost cities, qualifying as lower-middle class in many places, and struggles to support families, especially in expensive areas, though it can be comfortable in low-cost regions or for individuals with no dependents. 

What is the wealthiest state in the USA?

There isn't one single "richest" state, as it depends on the metric: Maryland often leads in median household income (wealth per person), while California has the largest overall economy (GDP). Other top contenders for high income include Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut, with states like Washington also showing high per capita GDP.
 

Is Tennessee a poor state?

Poverty Rate: Tennessee's poverty rate was 14% in 2023, up from 13.3% in 2022. The national poverty rate was 12.7% in 2023, up from 12.4% in 2022.

Which states get more than they pay?

In the 2022 Rockefeller Institute data now on its website, including federal funding for COVID, Virginia was the #1 recipient state, receiving $108 billion more in federal spending in 2022 than its residents and businesses paid in federal taxes.

What state has the best benefits for the poor?

Vermont ranks as the most generous state with the average low-income person receiving about $26,000 in benefits. This is due largely to the fact that, using my measure, Vermont has the most generous Medicaid program and Medicaid accounts for about half of all of the programs I consider.