#26: Montana
Minimum wage: $10.30
In Montana, wealth is often tied to real estate, energy, agriculture, tourism, and business ownership. Affluent residents may live in scenic mountain towns or around Bozeman and Missoula, enjoying outdoor recreation, larger properties, and quieter lifestyles. Many higher earnners are entrepreneurs, investors, or remote professionals drawn by natural beauty.

On the lower-income side, many Montanans work in tourism, food service, retail, and agriculture. Seasonal employment is common, and housing shortages in popular towns drive up rent. Long distances, limited public transit, and rising living costs make it hard for minimum-wage workers to stay financially secure.
