That's pretty much everywhere at this point. Minimum can't attain the average cost of an apartment in any state in the country, since it hasn't been rosen in over a decade. That was true before the pandemic and is doubly so now that rampant inflation has kicked in.

The Midwest states are essentially the top of the bell curve when it comes to quality of life stats. Maybe life isn't as flashy as the coasts, but there isnt the absolutely ramoant poverty like you find in Appalachia or the deep South.

Typically what happens when you rank 51st in most quality of life stats (which usually include DC alongside all 50 states).

Doesnt have to be Eastern Europe. Plenty of examples of rich people finding ways for their kids to avaoid the draft during Vietnam and WWII in the US.