Barely Surviving: 15 States Who Still Have a Ridiculous Minimum Wage of $7.25
Did you know there are still 15 states in the union with a meager Federal minimum wage of $7.25? Currently, 30 states and Washington, D.C., have minimum wages above the minimum.
Five states, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, haven’t adopted a state minimum wage. Georgia and Wyoming, however, have minimum wages below $7.25 at $5.15. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies to all seven states. Rent Cafe determined these statistics.
1. Georgia
Georgia’s cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. Housing is 23% lower than the national average, while utilities are 16% lower. Food is 5% lower, and transportation is also 5% lower.
2. Idaho
Idaho’s cost of living is 6% lower than the national average. Housing is 16% lower than the national average, while utilities are 15% lower. Food is 2% lower, but transportation is 11% higher than the national average.
3. Indiana
Indiana’s cost of living is 8% lower than the national average. Housing is 22% lower than the national average, while utilities are 4% higher. Food is 1% lower, while transportation is $5 lower than the national average.
4. Iowa
Iowa’s cost of living is 5% lower than the national average. Housing is 17% lower than the national average, while utilities are 4% lower. Food is 0%, and transportation is 5% higher than the national average.
5. Kansas
Kansas’s cost of living is 13% lower than the national average. Housing is 32% lower than the national average, while utilities are 0%. Food is 3% lower, while transportation is 9% lower.
6. Kentucky
Kentucky’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average. Housing is 22% lower than the national average, while utilities are 2% higher. Food is 5% lower, while transportation is 10% higher.
7. New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s cost of living is 16% higher than the national average. Unfortunately, Rent Cafe didn’t do the math in this state. But Energy Bot says, “The average New Hampshire residential electricity rate is 58% higher than the national average.
8. North Carolina
North Carolina’s living cost is 5% lower than the national average. Housing is 14% lower than the national average, while utilities are 2% lower. Food is 0% lower, and transportation is 5% lower.
9. North Dakota
North Dakota’s living cost is 5% lower than the national average. Housing is 16% lower than the national average, while utilities are 1% lower. Food is 6% lower, while transportation is 0% lower. However, healthcare is 11% higher in North Dakota.
10. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s cost of living is 12% lower than the national average. Housing is 28% lower than the national average, while utilities are 4% lower. Food is 4% lower, and transportation is 5% lower.
11. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s cost of living is 4% lower than the national average. Housing is 17% lower than the national average, while utilities are 7% higher. Food is 0% lower, while transportation is 8% higher.
12. Texas
Texas’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average. Housing is 17% lower than the national average, while utilities are 3% higher. Food is 6% lower, and transportation is 3% lower.
13. Utah
Utah’s cost of living is 1% higher than the national average. Housing is 4% higher than the national average, while utilities are 7% lower. Food is 2% lower, while transportation is 10% higher.
14. Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Housing is 11% lower than the national average, while utilities are 3% higher. Food and transportation are 0% lower.
15. Wyoming
Wyoming’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average. Housing is 19% lower than the national average, while utilities are 13% lower. Food is 2% higher, while transportation is 5% lower.
Needless to say, how is anyone surviving with these wages during the worst inflation we’ve ever seen accompanied by ridiculous price-gouging? Anyone who thinks that $7.25 is an acceptable hourly wage is completely out of touch with today’s cost of living. What do you think?
Olivia Jones is a self-professed money geek who strives always to find the best buy. It started when she was faced with overwhelming credit card debt and an acknowledgment of an unhealthy compulsive buying disorder. She's since overcome her debt by budgeting, saving and investing, and aims to share her best tips to help others overcome their own shopping addictions by developing healthy money habits.
