#24: Nevada

Median income per household: $60, 365

Rate of poverty: 12.5%

Las Vegas’s allure often worsens the plight of the desperate, contributing to Southern Nevada’s severe homelessness issue, affecting over 6,500 individuals. Many battle addictions, showcasing the region’s deeper socio-economic struggles.

Nevada grapples with insufficient affordable housing and federal aid, lagging by $342 million in combating homelessness. With many relying on low-paying jobs in leisure and hospitality, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated their economic hardships through plummeting tourism and gaming revenues.