I don't think you realize how cheap rural areas are. For instance, I grew up in a small town in Missouri and you can buy a house there for less than $20,000[0].

I don't think you realize how cheap rural areas are. For instance, I grew up in a small town in Missouri and you can buy a house there for less than $20,000[0]. It needs a lot of work but still. Compensation does need to be greatly increased in these areas, people just need to stop trying to compare two radically different areas. Each area should only be compared to its older self. If the area is constantly making more money per person year over year, the peoples lives there will get better and better. [0]https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/724-Fisk-Ave-Moberly-MO-65270/231533240_zpid/ https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/724-Fisk-Ave-Moberly-MO-6...