#8: Delaware
Minimum wage: $15.00
Wealth in Delaware is often connected to corporate law, finance, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare. Affluent residents live in suburban communities or along the coast, enjoying larger homes, strong schools, and easy access to major East Coast cities. Many benefit from business-friendly laws that attract high-earning professionals and executives.

Lower-income Delawareans commonly work in retail, food service, hospitality, and care roles. Housing costs have risen faster than wages in many areas, especially near beaches and job centers. Limited public transportation outside cities can increase expenses, making it harder for minimum-wage workers to stretch their earnings.
