The Australian Bureau of Statistics has used census data to create an Index of Household Advantage and Disadvantage, which tracks signs of social and economic progress across the nation.

According to the index, some areas of the Wagga suburbs Ashmont, Mount Austin and Kooringal have between 60 and 84 per cent of their households in the most disadvantaged category.

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By comparison, pockets of Lake Albert, Tatton, Springvale and Estella have between 45 and 50 per cent of their households in the most advantaged category.

The index measures household income, jobs, debt levels and other indicators.

Smaller towns like Junee, Temora, Gundagai and Cootamundra were more likely to have a higher proportion of disadvantaged households than the average Wagga suburb.

Riverina MP and Nationals candidate Michael McCormack said the government's economic management had provided budgets for programs like the rural apprentice wage subsidy and regional employment trials.

"The Liberals and Nationals take poverty very seriously. We want all Australian families to enjoy a high quality of life," he said.

That's why we're so focused on jobs and economic growth because the best form of welfare is a job."

Labor candidate Mark Jeffreson said the combination of wage stagnation, underemployment and rising costs was driving more Riverina people into poverty.

"When you have had no wages growth and costs keep going up, that just adds stress all the time," he said.

"We want tp take action on the part-time and casualised workforce...we have a good economy but it's not working for all participants."

United Australia candidate Richard Foley said his party's zonal taxation policy would give an immediate tax discount to regional households.

Greens candidate Michael Bayles said policies for "world-class public services" would help.

"We want to put the money back in health, TAFE and university," he said.

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