1. Maryland
Median household income: $71,122
Population: 5,884,563 (19th highest)
Unemployment rate: 6.8% (17th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 10.3% (3rd lowest)
2. New Jersey
Median household income: $69,667
Population: 8,864,590 (11th highest)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (tied-5th highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 10.8% (5th lowest)
3. Alaska
Median household income: $67,712
Population: 731,449 (4th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 7.0% (22nd lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 10.1% (2nd lowest)
4. Connecticut
Median household income: $67,276
Population: 3,590,347 (22nd lowest)
Unemployment rate: 8.4% (tied-14th highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 10.7% (4th lowest)
5. Hawaii
Median household income: $66,259
Population: 1,392,313 (11th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 5.8% (12th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 11.6% (8th lowest)
6. Massachusetts
Median household income: $65,339
Population: 6,646,144 (14th highest)
Unemployment rate: 6.7% (16th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 11.9% (11th lowest)
7. New Hampshire
Median household income: $63,280
Population: 1,320,718 (9th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 5.5% (8th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 10.0% (the lowest)
8. Virginia
Median household income: $61,741
Population: 8,185,867 (12th highest)
Unemployment rate: 5.9% (13th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 11.7% (9th lowest)
9. Minnesota
Median household income: $58,906
Population: 5,379,139 (21st highest)
Unemployment rate: 5.6% (9th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 11.4% (7th lowest)
10. Delaware
Median household income: $58,415
Population: 917,092 (6th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (tied-23rd lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 12.0% (12th lowest)
Pennsylvania is ranked 21
Median household income: $51,230
Population: 12,763,536 (6th highest)
Unemployment rate: 7.9% (21st highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 13.7% (tied-20th lowest)
Source: Michael B. Sauter, Alexander E.M. Hess and Thomas C. Frohlich, 24/7 Wall St.
Photo by David Davies