Steve Cortes, Founder of the League of American Workers, said that California’s elevated cost of living is responsible for the state having the highest poverty rate nationally, despite its economic strength. This statement was made on X.
“California has the highest poverty rate in America,” said Cortes. “That’s a statistical FACT (see link). Cause the cost of living is exorbitant, for everyone except for Gavin’s super wealthy besties…”
According to the Public Policy Institute of California, the state has one of the highest poverty rates in the United States when accounting for cost of living, primarily due to expensive housing and everyday expenses. While California’s traditional poverty rate is near the national average, its Supplemental Poverty Measure—which considers local living costs—places it above all other states, highlighting the impact of affordability issues on residents.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that California’s official poverty rate was 12.2% in 2022, similar to the U.S. average. However, its Supplemental Poverty Measure was 13.2%, marking it as the highest nationally. This supplemental measure includes regional costs like rent and utilities, which are significantly higher in California and contribute to a larger population living in economic hardship.
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, California’s cost of living index ranks among the highest in the nation, with housing and transportation being particularly costly. These high expenses make it challenging for many low-income families to cover basic needs, directly affecting poverty and affordability rates in the state.
Cortes is also President of League of American Workers and senior political advisor to CatholicVote. He is a former senior advisor to President Trump and JD Vance and has served as a commentator for Fox News and CNN. Cortes regularly releases documentaries and columns at cortesinvestigates.com.
