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Fact check: How does California's GDP compare to other US states?

Checked on August 26, 2025

1. Summary of the results

California's GDP stands at $4.1 trillion, making it by far the largest economy among all US states [1] [2] [3]. This massive economic output places California as the 4th largest economy in the world, not just among US states but globally [1] [2].

The scale of California's economic dominance becomes clear when compared to other major US states:

  • Texas ranks second with $2.7 trillion GDP
  • New York comes third with $2.3 trillion GDP [3]

This means California's economy is approximately $1.4 trillion larger than Texas and $1.8 trillion larger than New York, representing a substantial gap between California and its closest competitors [3].

California's economic performance has been particularly strong, with a 6% growth rate that outpaced the top three global economies, further solidifying its position as a leading economic force [2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses focus exclusively on raw GDP figures but omit several important contextual factors:

  • Per capita GDP comparisons - While California has the largest total GDP, states with smaller populations might have higher GDP per capita
  • Economic diversity and sustainability - No discussion of what sectors drive California's economy or potential vulnerabilities
  • Cost of living adjustments - California's high cost of living might affect the practical value of its economic output
  • Historical trends - The analyses don't provide context on how California achieved this position or whether this dominance is recent or long-standing
  • Regional economic impacts - No mention of how California's economic performance affects other states or the national economy

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself contains no apparent misinformation or bias - it simply asks for a factual comparison of California's GDP relative to other US states. The question is neutral and seeks legitimate comparative economic data. The analyses provided appear to present factual information from official sources without obvious bias, though they focus exclusively on positive aspects of California's economic performance without discussing potential challenges or limitations.

Want to dive deeper?
What is the largest contributor to California's GDP?
How does California's GDP per capita compare to other states?
Which US state has the second-largest GDP after California?
What percentage of the US GDP does California account for in 2025?
How does California's GDP growth rate compare to the national average in 2024?