Despite being taught to share by our kindergarten teachers, everyone has been driven by greed at some point in their lives. But which state has the greediest people of them all? At Best Life, we crunched the numbers to find out.
To get to the bottom of greed in America, we looked at three different metrics. First, we used the Forbes2020 billionaires list and data from the U.S. Census Bureau to measure the number of billionaires per 10 million people in each state. This shows us where the very richest of the rich file their taxes. While it's worth noting that some billionaires may move to states with a lower tax burden, others still reside in the states they started out in, such as Walmart heirsJim and Rob Walton, who live in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Next, we used WalletHub’s Most Sinful States index to measure greed based on the number of casinos per capita, gambling-related arrests per capita, charitable donations compared to income, and several other similar metrics—the higher the number on the 50-point scale, the greedier the state. We also examined the Gini coefficient—a mathematical measurement that quantifies income inequality—for each state, which was adapted to a 100-point scale by Zippia. So, the higher the Gini coefficient, the greater disparity there is in wealth distribution in the state. Finally, we gave each of these metrics a weighted value before running them through our exclusive algorithm to see where they scored on our Greed Index, where 0 is the least greedy state and 100 is the most.
Overall, our analysis found some surprising things. New York, the state with the highest income inequality, was also WalletHub’s least greedy state–likely due to the state's lack of casinos and other legal gambling options. In addition, there was little geographical consistency in regards to greed, with at least one state from both coasts and both borders making it into the top 10. Read on to discover the greediest state in America and find out out where yours ranks in comparison. And for the place that's seriously lacking in the generosity department, This Is the Most Selfish State in America.
Read the original article on Best Life.
50 | Utah
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 12.48
WalletHub greed rank: 49
Gini coefficient level: 42.61
Greed Index Score: 0.00
49 | Alabama
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 0.00
WalletHub greed rank: 44
Gini coefficient level: 47.69
Greed Index Score: 1.51
48 | Indiana
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 4.46
WalletHub greed rank: 43
Gini coefficient level: 44.94
Greed Index Score: 4.55
47 | Maryland
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 14.89
WalletHub greed rank: 47
Gini coefficient level: 45.13
Greed Index Score: 7.71
46 | Idaho
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 5.60
WalletHub greed rank: 41
Gini coefficient level: 44.57
Greed Index Score: 8.42
45 | Arkansas
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 16.57
WalletHub greed rank: 48
Gini coefficient level: 47.08
Greed Index Score: 9.44
44 | Oregon
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 7.11
WalletHub greed rank: 42
Gini coefficient level: 46.12
Greed Index Score: 9.63
43 | Georgia
Shutterstock/Sean PavoneBillionaires per 10 million people: 11.30
WalletHub greed rank: 45
Gini coefficient level: 48.16
Greed Index Score: 10.51
42 | Ohio
Sean Pavone / ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 5.13
WalletHub greed rank: 40
Gini coefficient level: 46.41
Greed Index Score: 11.32
41 | Minnesota
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 3.55
WalletHub greed rank: 34
Gini coefficient level: 44.90
Greed Index Score: 18.07
40 | Kansas
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 6.87
WalletHub greed rank: 36
Gini coefficient level: 45.55
Greed Index Score: 18.46
39 | Louisiana
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 2.15
WalletHub greed rank: 35
Gini coefficient level: 49.03
Greed Index Score: 19.07
38 | Iowa
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 3.17
WalletHub greed rank: 29
Gini coefficient level: 44.22
Greed Index Score: 25.08
37 | Missouri
Sean Pavone / ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 8.15
WalletHub greed rank: 33
Gini coefficient level: 46.32
Greed Index Score: 25.13
36 | Pennsylvania
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 7.81
WalletHub greed rank: 32
Gini coefficient level: 46.80
Greed Index Score: 26.87
35 | Massachusetts
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 24.66
WalletHub greed rank: 39
Gini coefficient level: 48.26
Greed Index Score: 32.20
34 | Nebraska
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 15.51
WalletHub greed rank: 31
Gini coefficient level: 44.20
Greed Index Score: 32.96
33 | Colorado
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 13.89
WalletHub greed rank: 30
Gini coefficient level: 45.90
Greed Index Score: 34.69
32 | Michigan
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 9.01
WalletHub greed rank: 27
Gini coefficient level: 46.48
Greed Index Score: 35.64
And for the most cannabis-friendly place in the country, This Is the Most Stoned State in America.
31 | Kentucky
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 4.48
WalletHub greed rank: 24
Gini coefficient level: 47.41
Greed Index Score: 37.22
30 | Florida
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 27.00
WalletHub greed rank: 37
Gini coefficient level: 48.52
Greed Index Score: 37.74
29 | South Carolina
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 1.94
WalletHub greed rank: 21
Gini coefficient level: 46.90
Greed Index Score: 39.26
28 | Wisconsin
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 13.74
WalletHub greed rank: 26
Gini coefficient level: 44.35
Greed Index Score: 39.50
27 | New Hampshire
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 0.00
WalletHub greed rank: 16
Gini coefficient level: 43.44
Greed Index Score: 39.50
26 | New Jersey
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 1.13
WalletHub greed rank: 20
Gini coefficient level: 47.82
Greed Index Score: 40.98
And for another state superlative no one wants, check out The Dirtiest State in the U.S.
25 | Arizona
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 13.74
WalletHub greed rank: 23
Gini coefficient level: 46.82
Greed Index Score: 40.98
24 | Texas
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 19.31
WalletHub greed rank: 28
Gini coefficient level: 48.03
Greed Index Score: 44.74
And for another nationwide title that may surprise you, check out The Most Hated State in America.
23 | Maine
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 7.44
WalletHub greed rank: 18
Gini coefficient level: 45.15
Greed Index Score: 47.36
22 | South Dakota
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 11.30
WalletHub greed rank: 19
Gini coefficient level: 44.38
Greed Index Score: 48.52
21 | New York
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 60.66
WalletHub greed rank: 50
Gini coefficient level: 51.02
Greed Index Score: 49.55
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20 | New Mexico
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 0.00
WalletHub greed rank: 13
Gini coefficient level: 47.54
Greed Index Score: 50.89
19 | West Virginia
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 5.58
WalletHub greed rank: 15
Gini coefficient level: 46.21
Greed Index Score: 51.47
18 | Alaska
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 0.00
WalletHub greed rank: 8
Gini coefficient level: 41.74
Greed Index Score: 53.47
17 | Vermont
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 0.00
WalletHub greed rank: 9
Gini coefficient level: 44.35
Greed Index Score: 54.31
16 | Connecticut
Shutterstock/Real Window CreativeBillionaires per 10 million people: 47.68
WalletHub greed rank: 38
Gini coefficient level: 49.47
Greed Index Score: 55.61
15 | Illinois
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 13.42
WalletHub greed rank: 17
Gini coefficient level: 47.89
Greed Index Score: 56.89
14 | Delaware
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 0.00
WalletHub greed rank: 6
Gini coefficient level: 44.88
Greed Index Score: 56.89
13 | Washington
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 15.76
WalletHub greed rank: 14
Gini coefficient level: 45.6
Greed Index Score: 61.65
12 | Tennessee
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 10.25
WalletHub greed rank: 12
Gini coefficient level: 47.86
Greed Index Score: 62.00
11 | North Dakota
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 0.00
WalletHub greed rank: 5
Gini coefficient level: 45.87
Greed Index Score: 62.11
10 | Virginia
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 8.20
WalletHub greed rank: 10
Gini coefficient level: 46.73
Greed Index Score: 62.30
9 | Rhode Island
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 9.44
WalletHub greed rank: 11
Gini coefficient level: 47.38
Greed Index Score: 62.42
8 | North Carolina
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 3.81
WalletHub greed rank: 7
Gini coefficient level: 47.48
Greed Index Score: 63.85
7 | Montana
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 37.43
WalletHub greed rank: 22
Gini coefficient level: 45.87
Greed Index Score: 68.60
6 | Hawaii
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 7.06
WalletHub greed rank: 3
Gini coefficient level: 43.69
Greed Index Score: 69.63
5 | California
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 41.76
WalletHub greed rank: 25
Gini coefficient level: 48.80
Greed Index Score: 70.43
And for the the place where people are prone to bending the rules set by their marriage vows, This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.
4 | Mississippi
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 6.72
WalletHub greed rank: 4
Gini coefficient level: 47.99
Greed Index Score: 71.73
3 | Oklahoma
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 15.16
WalletHub greed rank: 2
Gini coefficient level: 46.52
Greed Index Score: 81.14
2 | Wyoming
iStockBillionaires per 10 million people: 103.67
WalletHub greed rank: 46
Gini coefficient level: 42.79
Greed Index Score: 86.93
1 | Nevada
ShutterstockBillionaires per 10 million people: 35.71
WalletHub greed rank: 1
Gini coefficient level: 45.22
Greed Index Score: 100.00
And for another ranking that could help you shop smarter, check out This Store Has the Worst Customer Service in America.
