A new study says the gap between the rich and poor grew faster in New England than in the rest of the country from 1989 to 2004.
The University of New Hampshire report says the region has gone from having one of the smallest income disparities to having one comparable to the U.S. average.
In 2004, Connecticut had the third biggest gap while Massachusetts ranked tenth.
Although Vermont ranked 31st, the state had the second largest change in income disparity in the country.
The report says a loss of manufacturing jobs in New England are to blame. Many jobs have been replaced with higher paying jobs that require more education and skill.