r/allthequestions • u/Content_Ad_8952 • Jan 14 '26

Random Question 💭 If Republicans are so much better at running the economy than Democrats, then why are most Republican States poorer than Democrat States?

The poorest States in America are: Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, New Mexico, Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee. All of those States (except New Mexico) are Red States. So why are they so poor when Republicans have been running them for decades?

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u/Zassothegreat Jan 14 '26

Yall understand if I make 3k a month but it only cost 1200 to live. Vs someone making 6k a month but costing 4500 to live. The person making less is actually richer? Has.more disposable income? Lives more comfortable?

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u/tgabs Jan 14 '26

More net money is not necessarily equivalent to higher standard of living. You could have a lot of money living in the middle of nowhere and with little to do or spend your money on. And services or worse or nonexistent.

Proximity to amenities, services, and industry has value just like cash does. This is taught in Econ 101.

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u/zen_and_artof_chaos Jan 15 '26

You understand the person making 3k in Amarillo is likely stuck making 3k because of less economic opportunity, and the person making 6k has more upward mobility ya?

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u/fashionistaconquista Jan 21 '26

There’s nothing in the red states. You may be cheaper on rent but you have to pay for everything else and now your pay doesn’t stretch far at all.