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  3. ›States

How federal money moves between the states

Every year, Americans send tax dollars to Washington, and Washington sends money back, for Social Security, Medicare, defense contracts, highways, and more. The Ledger ranks all 50 states by that exchange: who pays in more than they get back, and who comes out ahead.

Latest OSC / Rockefeller ledger: FFY 2023. FFY 2024–2025 not published yet. Data integrityState rankings use the latest OSC / Rockefeller balance-of-payments ledger (FFY 2023). FFY 2024 and 2025 have not been published yet. Archives are hash-checked against osc.ny.gov on Data integrity. Methodology

RankingsMapPolitics

National summary highlights

Largest net contributor

New JerseyDemocratic presidential voteD

$0.88 per $1 paid

−$17.7B

Largest net recipient

VirginiaDemocratic presidential voteD

$2.18 per $1 paid

$139.7B

Highest return per $1 paid

New MexicoDemocratic presidential voteD

Net $38.1B

$3.21

Lowest return per $1 paid

New JerseyDemocratic presidential voteD

Net −$17.7B

$0.88

Explore

  • Rankings

    States ordered by net balance of payments.

  • Map

    Geographic view of who sends and who receives.

  • Politics

    Balance figures alongside recent election results.

  • Compare

    Side-by-side state balance of payments.

In the news

Recent reporting on federal spending, taxes, grants, and money returning to the states.

In the news

Recent reporting on federal spending, taxes, grants, and money returning to the states.

CT Mirror·Oct 28, 2026

Weak economy, vanishing federal aid limit CT’s tax-cutting options

The Dakotan·Oct 28, 2026

Congressional Candidate Charles Tuttle Calls for Education Reform, Less Government Spending and Greater State Control

Passenger Transport·Oct 27, 2026

Sen. Cantwell’s “Chopping Block” Reports Detail Impacts of Cuts to Federal Transportation Infrastructure Programs

RealClearPolicy·Oct 27, 2026

Property Tax Relief Requires Government Spending Cuts

NOLA.com·Oct 27, 2026

FEMA leader says states will need to pick up more disaster costs. Should Louisiana worry?

KOCO·Oct 26, 2026

Oklahoma strengthens disaster response as FEMA seeks to reduce reliance on federal aid

Tax Foundation·Oct 26, 2026

Could an Employer Compensation Tax Save Social Security?