Illinois ranks high for typical incomes, study finds. How much do residents make?
Illinois ranks in the top 10 states in the nation for the highest typical incomes, according to a June 2 report from financial company WalletHub.
The WalletHub analysis, “States Where People Have the Highest Income (2026),” ranked Illinois No. 9, while Missouri landed in 23rd.
The comparison included data on the average annual income of the top 5%, the median annual household income and average annual income of the bottom 20%, all adjusted to the cost-of-living index. The average top 5% income was double-weighted in the report. Data came from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Council for Community and Economic Research, according to WalletHub.
Illinois received a total score of 57.88 out of 100 possible points. Virginia came in first place, with a score of 67.57 and a median annual income of $95,339.
WalletHub found Illinois’ average top 5% income was $533,840, the median household income was $83,277 and the average annual income for the bottom 20% of earners was $16,813.
In a previous report by another financial publication, SmartAsset, Lake, DuPage, Kendall, Will and Kane were named Illinois’ wealthiest counties, while Alexander, Pulaski, Jackson, McDonough and Lawrence were named the poorest.
Top 15 states for high incomes
Here’s how the top 15 states (including Washington, D.C.) with the highest typical incomes compared, from WalletHub:
1. Virginia: 67.57 total score
2. New York: 66.27
3. New Jersey: 66.08
4. Washington: 65.23
5. Connecticut: 64.73
6. Utah: 61.24
7. Colorado: 59.65
8. Minnesota: 58.66
9. Illinois: 57.88
10. Massachusetts: 57.11
11. Texas: 54.93
12. Washington, D.C.: 54.11
13. California: 53.45
14. Georgia: 52.76
15. Florida: 49.89
The lowest-performing states in WalletHub’s income analysis included West Virginia, New Mexico, Mississippi, Louisiana and Maine.
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