Re: These Are the 10 States That Give the Most Money & Benefits to Their Residents
California and NY are also the most populated states as well. Hawaii is the highest cost of living which I didn't find surprising at all. Probably the only place I've ever been too where I felt like just stopping, dropping my money on the ground and fly away as quickly as possible.
Hawaii used to boast a bumper sticker "Welcome to Hawaii. Leave your money and go back home."
It would seem you got the message
As for the population differences, the graphs were based on per capita.
Many states have higher populations simply because they offer more benes. Nothing wrong with that as every state has to decide how to entice folks, workers, retirees, and businesses, to come there.
I know many people who went to Wisconsin because of the benes there. Connecticut as well.