OMAHA, Neb. — A new Census report shows that Iowa and several other Midwest and Plains states have the lowest poverty rates when cost of living is factored into the calculation.

The report released Thursday showed that Iowa had the lowest rate at 8.6 percent. The national rate under the new measure is 16 percent.

Iowa is followed by North Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota and Nebraska with the lowest rates in the nation.

The states with the highest poverty levels under the new measure were ones with high housing costs and large numbers of immigrants. California topped the list with a 23.8 percent poverty rate followed by Washington D.C.’s 22.7 percent.

This new measure of poverty is designed to provide a better picture of the problem, but it doesn’t replace the official rate.