Poverty in the United States is a persistent and complex issue that affects millions of individuals and families. Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest nations, a significant portion of the population continues to face financial hardships and limited access to basic necessities. Income inequality, limited job opportunities, and systemic barriers are among the contributing factors to the problem — which is exacerbated by high living costs. Poverty not only affects individuals’ well-being but also has broader societal implications, including reduced economic productivity, increased health care costs, and strain on social welfare programs.
While poverty remains a pressing concern in many urban areas, there are also numerous cities and communities where the poverty rate is relatively low, and people enjoy a better quality of life. These cities often boast strong local economies, diverse industries, robust educational opportunities, and proactive social programs that help uplift their residents. Additionally, some regions benefit from more equitable distribution of resources and greater access to support networks, which can mitigate the impact of poverty and promote upward mobility.
Across the country, there are cities where residents are less than half as likely to live below the poverty line than the typical American. Using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 U.S. cities with the lowest poverty rates. For the purposes of this story, all places — including villages, towns, and unincorporated communities — with at least 50,000 people were considered cities.
The cities on this list are spread across the country, including 17 in the Midwest, 16 in the West, and 15 in the South. Notably, however, only two are located in the Northeast.
The relative financial security of the populations living in these places is underscored by higher than average incomes. In all but one city on this list, the typical household earns more than the national median household income of $69,021. (Here is a look at the city with the richest middle class in every state.)
With relatively high incomes and low poverty rates, residents of these places are less likely to rely on government assistance to afford basic necessities. In nearly every city on this list, fewer than 5% of households receive SNAP benefits, or food stamps, compared to the 11.4% national recipiency rate. (Here is a look at the city in each state with the most people on food stamps.)
Click here to see cities with the lowest poverty rates.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
50. Livonia, Michigan
> Poverty rate: 4.7%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 4,416
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 4.5% — 133rd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $86,331 — 247th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 95,294
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49. Leander, Texas
> Poverty rate: 4.7%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,681
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 4.4% — 125th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $117,090 — 68th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 57,696
48. Mount Prospect, Illinois
> Poverty rate: 4.7%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,618
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 7.5% — 288th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $92,477 — 200th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 56,510
47. Maple Grove, Minnesota
> Poverty rate: 4.6%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,233
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.3% — 6th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $118,479 — 64th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 69,900
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46. Ellicott City, Maryland
> Poverty rate: 4.6%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,423
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.5% — 82nd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $136,234 — 23rd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 74,432
45. Rocklin, California
> Poverty rate: 4.6%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,187
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 4.3% — 124th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $106,164 — 107th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 70,317
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44. Minnetonka, Minnesota
> Poverty rate: 4.5%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,409
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.4% — 78th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $106,023 — 109th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 53,809
43. Queen Creek, Arizona
> Poverty rate: 4.5%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,584
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.5% — 12th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $111,743 — 85th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 57,728
42. Broomfield, Colorado
> Poverty rate: 4.4%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,183
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.7% — 55th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $107,570 — 98th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 72,697
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41. Alpharetta, Georgia
> Poverty rate: 4.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,771
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.6% — 47th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $133,920 — 29th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 65,187
40. Edina, Minnesota
> Poverty rate: 4.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,257
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.3% — 30th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $115,047 — 72nd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 53,059
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39. Eastvale, California
> Poverty rate: 4.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,910
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 5.4% — 168th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $141,827 — 18th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 68,539
38. Rochester Hills, Michigan
> Poverty rate: 4.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,154
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.0% — 59th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $106,398 — 103rd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 75,990
37. Woodbury, Minnesota
> Poverty rate: 4.2%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,120
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.3% — 7th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $114,252 — 74th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 74,014
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36. Newton, Massachusetts
> Poverty rate: 4.2%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,438
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 4.0% — 107th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $164,607 — 8th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 88,647
35. Lee’s Summit, Missouri
> Poverty rate: 4.2%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 4,208
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.9% — 99th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $98,960 — 153rd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 100,772
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34. Ankeny, Iowa
> Poverty rate: 4.2%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,764
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.3% — 76th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $92,959 — 190th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 66,346
33. Huntersville, North Carolina
> Poverty rate: 4.2%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,511
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.0% — 62nd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $102,335 — 134th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 60,166
32. The Villages, Florida
> Poverty rate: 4.2%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,180
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 0.8% — 3rd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $67,239 — 414th lowest of 861 cities
> Total population: 76,415
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31. Flower Mound, Texas
> Poverty rate: 4.1%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,097
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.8% — 17th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $145,153 — 16th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 75,050
30. Sandy, Utah
> Poverty rate: 4.1%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,931
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.7% — 52nd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $100,749 — 141st highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 96,272
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29. Milford, Connecticut
> Poverty rate: 4.1%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,055
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 4.5% — 136th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $97,951 — 161st highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 50,694
28. Overland Park, Kansas
> Poverty rate: 4.1%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 7,914
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.6% — 14th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $92,769 — 194th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 195,249
27. Catalina Foothills, Arizona
> Poverty rate: 4.1%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,023
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.6% — 45th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $102,171 — 135th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 50,096
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26. San Ramon, California
> Poverty rate: 4.1%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,489
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.0% — 23rd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $173,519 — 5th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 85,688
25. Livermore, California
> Poverty rate: 4.0%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,502
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.3% — 74th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $139,904 — 20th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 88,403
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24. Naperville, Illinois
> Poverty rate: 4.0%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 5,818
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.8% — 94th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $135,772 — 24th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 149,013
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23. Novi, Michigan
> Poverty rate: 4.0%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,574
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 4.3% — 121st lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $100,311 — 143rd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 65,369
22. Lakeville, Minnesota
> Poverty rate: 3.9%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,686
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.8% — 96th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $119,970 — 59th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 69,026
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21. The Woodlands, Texas
> Poverty rate: 3.9%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 4,458
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.5% — 42nd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $130,011 — 32nd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 115,716
20. Plymouth, Minnesota
> Poverty rate: 3.8%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,034
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.7% — 49th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $119,813 — 60th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 80,034
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19. Bethesda, Maryland
> Poverty rate: 3.8%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,506
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.5% — 39th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $178,370 — 4th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 66,294
18. St. Peters, Missouri
> Poverty rate: 3.7%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,094
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.9% — 19th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $83,624 — 262nd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 57,289
17. Dublin, California
> Poverty rate: 3.7%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,501
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.7% — 54th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $171,168 — 6th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 69,818
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16. Johns Creek, Georgia
> Poverty rate: 3.6%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,976
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.9% — 58th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $133,948 — 28th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 82,068
15. Castle Rock, Colorado
> Poverty rate: 3.6%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,548
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 3.2% — 71st lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $121,388 — 53rd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 71,037
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14. Bel Air South, Maryland
> Poverty rate: 3.5%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 1,998
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 5.5% — 176th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $106,126 — 108th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 56,928
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13. Frisco, Texas
> Poverty rate: 3.5%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 6,742
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.9% — 22nd lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $134,210 — 26th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 193,140
12. Centennial, Colorado
> Poverty rate: 3.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,532
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.9% — 20th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $114,375 — 73rd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 107,972
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11. East Honolulu, Hawaii
> Poverty rate: 3.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 1,643
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.3% — 8th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $139,041 — 21st highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 50,076
10. Apex, North Carolina
> Poverty rate: 3.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 1,909
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.7% — 15th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $121,313 — 54th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 58,066
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9. Bowie, Maryland
> Poverty rate: 3.3%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 1,898
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 5.6% — 181st lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $127,029 — 37th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 58,113
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8. Sammamish, Washington
> Poverty rate: 3.1%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,047
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.2% — 29th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $195,648 — 2nd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 66,532
7. Carmel, Indiana
> Poverty rate: 3.0%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,967
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.3% — 5th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $119,772 — 61st highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 98,137
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6. Parker, Colorado
> Poverty rate: 3.0%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 1,693
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.3% — 31st lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $120,075 — 58th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 57,311
5. Pearland, Texas
> Poverty rate: 2.8%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 3,473
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 4.0% — 108th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $107,941 — 95th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 122,609
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4. Collierville, Tennessee
> Poverty rate: 2.8%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 1,435
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 2.6% — 48th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $119,461 — 62nd highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 50,669
3. Fishers, Indiana
> Poverty rate: 2.8%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,746
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 0.6% — the lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $117,503 — 66th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 97,154
2. South Jordan, Utah
> Poverty rate: 2.8%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,105
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.4% — 11th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $111,774 — 84th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 75,617
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1. Highlands Ranch, Colorado
> Poverty rate: 2.4%
> Number of people living below poverty line: 2,516
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 1.1% — 4th lowest of 861 cities
> Median household income: $134,041 — 27th highest of 861 cities
> Total population: 103,238
Methodology
To determine the cities with the lowest poverty rates in the nation, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the percentage of people determined to be living below the poverty line from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes 29,573 incorporated legal entities and Census-designated statistical entities. Of those, 29,320 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
We defined cities based on a population threshold — having at least 50,000 people — and 861 of the places fell within this threshold. Only cities with available data were considered.
Additional information on the number of people living below the poverty line, median household income, total population, and the share of households receiving SNAP benefits are also five-year estimates from the 2021 ACS.
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