#16: Kansas
Minimum wage: $7.25
In Kansas, wealth is often connected to agriculture, aviation, energy, healthcare, and business ownership. Affluent residents commonly live in suburban areas near Kansas City or Wichita, enjoying spacious homes and stable incomes. A lower cost of living allows higher earners to maintain comfortable lifestyles with fewer financial pressures.

On the lower-income side, many Kansans work in retail, food service, agriculture, and manufacturing support roles. Rural communities can face limited job options and long travel distances. Even with modest housing costs, low wages make it difficult to save or absorb unexpected expenses.
