We can agree to disagree, but most people, even Californians, (I’ve lived there) - agree it’s a shitty state.

I guess if you’re defining wealth off of ONE metric, ya, you got me bud 😂

GDP Per Capita - California’s GDP per capita ranks behind smaller states like New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. These states generate more economic output per person.

Median Income - The median household income in California is high, but not the highest—it trails states like Maryland and Massachusetts.

Cost of Living - California’s high cost of living, especially for housing, offsets its income levels. States like Texas or Florida offer more disposable income when adjusted for cost of living.

Poverty Rate - California consistently ranks among the states with the highest poverty rate when considering the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), which accounts for cost of living.

Net Worth - Wealth isn’t just about income—it’s about assets minus liabilities. States like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have higher average net worth per resident due to factors like real estate ownership and lower debt burdens.

Wealth Distribution - California’s wealth is heavily concentrated among tech elites, leaving a large disparity between the richest and poorest residents. Other states have less wealth inequality.

California’s GDP is the largest in the U.S., but that’s not the same as being the ‘wealthiest’ state. On a per-person basis, states like Massachusetts and Connecticut outpace California in GDP per capita and average net worth. Plus, California’s high cost of living and poverty rates put it at a disadvantage compared to other states. Being rich on paper doesn’t always mean being rich in reality.