Income and wealth distribution by state

High wealth, high income

What are the high wealth, high income states? Western Australia is leading in terms of both income and wealth, with $133,224 and $952,500 respectively, which is well above the average household annual gross income of $107,276 and average household net worth of $809,900.

However, over the last year particularly, the impact of the mining slowdown has affected earnings and also wealth. The reliance on the mining sector and the fluctuation of income and wealth based on the fortunes of this one sector are highlighted in the fact that between 2012 and 2014, the household incomes of those in Western Australia rose by 21% which was almost double that seen in the leading east coast state of New South Wales, and the wealth in this 2 year period increased by 24%, again almost double on what we saw from the best performing east coast states.

Top performing states

New South Wales is the most consistent performer in wealth and income, and the only other state to have both income and wealth about the national average (12% on income and 13% on wealth). It has a stable economy, with the largest infrastructure investments in the nation, a broad base of industries and consequently solid forward forecasts.

The Northern Territory, like Western Australia has been fluctuating, and while it has average income above the national average, its wealth is below the national average. Queensland, while improving in both income and wealth is below the national average on both as well. And Victoria while seeing solid gains in both income and wealth, with wealth largely due to the housing market above the national average, its income has still not quite reached the national average.

Worst performing states

The worst performing states are Tasmania, with incomes 26% below the national income and wealth average, as well as South Australia which is 19% below the average household income and 20% below the national net wealth.

While household income gains have been low in some states (a total of 6% gain since 2012 in South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory over the last 2 years), at least all of the states have had an increase in incomes, but such has been the change in property prices and the rise in living costs, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory have all seen a slight fall in average household wealth since 2012.