#6: Colorado
Minimum wage: $13.65
In Colorado, many affluent people are centered in Denver, Boulder, and mountain resort towns. They thrive in tech, aerospace, finance, energy, and outdoor recreation sectors. Their lives often include access to hiking, skiing, craft culture, and farm-to-table dining, balanced with investment in education and sustainability.

On the lower-income side, workers in service, hospitality, retail, and food prep often earn near minimum wage. Rising housing and living costs in urban areas make affordable rentals scarce. Long commutes from outlying towns and seasonal work fluctuations add strain, with community support filling essential gaps.
