Data: U.S. Census ; Map: Erin Davis/Axios

California and Louisiana have something surprising in common: Both have among the nation's highest poverty rates when the cost of living is factored in, according to Census Bureau data.

Why it matters: Southern states dominate America's traditional poverty rankings. But that familiar geographic divide starts to disappear when more of a family's financial realities are taken into account.

Axios analyzed 2023-2025 state poverty estimates from the Census Bureau to see what happens when housing, taxes, medical expenses and government benefits enter the picture.

What we found: Under the Census' traditional-style official measure, Louisiana had a 19.6% poverty rate and California was at 10.7%. New Hampshire was the lowest at 5.4%.

The South is home to 10 of the 11 states where the traditional poverty rate significantly outpaced the national average.

California's poverty rate jumped by nearly two-thirds to 17.8% under the broader Supplemental Poverty Measure , or SPM.…