The more important factor is not the economic ranking of states at a point in time, but the overall trends. An important article by John Merline compared the economic performance of blue states and red states during the presidency of Barack Obama. The trend of economic indicators clearly favors Republican states.
Democratic states have experienced lower growth in both jobs and income in the last few years. Home prices have fallen further in blue states, and their unemployment rates are higher.
In other words, a dynamic economic analysis of the states casts a far more favorable light on Republican states than static analysis. Since real life is dynamic, not static, Republicans can make the stronger case about which party is best suited to lead the way to greater prosperity.
This simplistic comparison based on raw income levels is worthless. The question has to consider the cost of living too, among other factors. I moved from Colorado to Alabama and found my standard of living increased dramatically even though my income actually decreased a bit.
Lets add the debt in.
California, NY, NJ, MA, MI, IL - these are all bankrupt and will have huge tax bills coming for their citizens. They have pensions that they cannot pay so they will take from workers to pay it.
Without the irresponsibility in the Dem leadership concerning muni unions and spending, there is only half of a conversation.
The article is flawed.
The most broke states are Illinois, California and New York - All run by the Dummycrats.