Upward Mobility Data Walk

This page presents text-friendly versions of the posters for screen readers.

Click here for the main page.

Text for each poster is below. Select a link in the Table of Contents below to go directly to each item.

Table of Contents

• Poster — ​​ALICE Budgets
  • ​​Want to learn more about the data?
• Poster — Debt
  • Want to learn more about the data?
• Poster — Economic Connectedness
  • Want to learn more about the data?
• Poster — Employment Growth
  • Want to learn more about the data?
• Poster — Entrepreneurship
  • Want to learn more about the data?
• Poster — Insurance Premiums
  • Want to learn more about the data?
• Poster — Homeownership
  • Want to learn more about the data?
• Poster — State and Local Tax Burden
  • Want to learn more about the data?

ALICE Budgets

What this measures:

Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Household Survival Budget and Stability Budget for a Kansas household of two adults and two children in child care (one infant and one preschool-age child). The ALICE Survival Budget estimates the bare minimum cost of household essentials to live and work. The Stability Budget includes additional costs needed for a financially stable household.

Survival and Stability Budgets for a Kansas Family of Two Adults and Two Children in Child Care, 2023

Survival Budget:

Combined Survival Budget for Food, Childcare and Housing Costs: $36,996 (53.8% of Total)

• Housing, $11,124
• Child Care, $11,064
• Food, $14,808
• Transportation, $11,244
• Health Care, $8,244
• Technology, $1,392
• Miscellaneous, $5,784
• Tax Payments, $5,052
• Total, $68,712

Stability Budget:

• Housing, $18,336
• Child Care, $13,392
• Food, $24,048
• Transportation, $18,384
• Health Care, $9,108
• Technology, $1,392
• Miscellaneous, $8,472
• Tax Payments, $12,468
• Savings, $8,472
• Total, $114,072

Federal Poverty Level for Family of 4, $30,000

ALICE Survival Budget and FPL Difference, $38,712

ALICE Stability and Survival Budget Difference, $45,360

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of the ALICE Threshold, 2023; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines, 2023; (Narrative) United for Alice Kansas Report, 2025.

About half (53.8 percent or $36,996) of the Survival Budget is needed to cover food, child care and housing costs for a family of four with two children in child care.

Four in 10 Kansas households earn less than the ALICE Survival Budget threshold and cannot afford basic needs, such as food, housing and health care. ALICE families may work full-time, earning above the federal poverty level, yet struggle to earn enough income to pay for key expenses such as child care.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

Survival and Stability Budgets for a Kansas Family of Two Adults and Two Children in Child Care, 2023

Note: ALICE budgets can vary by county and household type. These budgets do not include debt, auto repairs, cable service, travel, laundry costs or items such as holiday gifts or dinners at restaurants. Miscellaneous category includes a contingency fund equal to 10 percent of the budget for emergencies or other needs. Housing cost estimates use 110 percent of Fair Market Rent, which includes utility costs. Transportation costs include minimum-liability car insurance. Taxes include federal and state income taxes and available tax credits, assuming a salary equal to the respective ALICE budget total. Savings are not included in the Survival Budget (10 percent of budget costs).

Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a guideline used by the U.S. government to determine eligibility for various social programs, including Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Child Tax Credit. The difference between the ALICE Stability and Survival Budget is $45,360. The difference between the ALICE Survival Budget and FPL is $38,712.

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of the ALICE Threshold, 2023; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines, 2023; (Narrative) United for Alice Kansas Report, 2025.

Debt

What this measures:

Percent of Kansans with debt in collections and delinquent debt by type. Debt in collections are payments 180 or more days late that a creditor is attempting to collect, and delinquent debt are payments 60 or more days late.

Percent of Kansans With Debt in Collections or 60 or More Days Delinquent, 2025

• • In Collections, Population (%)
    • Any Debt, 20.4%
    • Medical Debt, 3.4%
  • 60+ Days Delinquent, Population (%)
    • Student Loan Debt, 15.7%
    • Credit Card Debt, 4.7%
    • Auto/Retail Loan Debt, 4.6%

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of the Urban Institute’s Debt in America: An Interactive Map. 2025; (Narrative) Hassani et al. Urban Institute blog, 2018; Congressional Research Services, 2025; The Institute for College Access & Success, 2025.

One in 5 Kansans have debt in collections, and 15.7 percent of Kansans with student loan debt are 60 or more days delinquent.

Debt can make it harder for households to access credit, which affects their ability to build wealth. Since the end of the COVID-19 federal student loan payment pause in 2023, federal student loans in delinquency and default have increased. Managing student loan debt has negatively impacted borrowers’ ability to keep up with bills, find secure housing or save for retirement.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

Percent of Kansans With Debt in Collections or 60 or More Days Delinquent, 2025

Note: Data are based on the Urban Institute’s analysis of a 4 percent nationally representative panel of deidentified, consumer-level records from August 2025 from a major credit bureau containing data on more than 10 million consumers; U.S Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates; and the 2020 U.S. Decennial Census.

Categories are defined as:

• Any Debt: share of people with a credit bureau record who have any debt in collections;
• Medical Debt: share of people with a credit bureau record who have medical debt in collections;
• Student Loan Debt: share of student loan holders with loans that are 60 days or more past due or in default;
• Credit Card Debt: share of people with credit/charge card debt who are 60 or more days delinquent; and
• Auto/retail Loan Debt: share of people with an auto loan or lease or a retail installment loan who are 60 or more days delinquent.

Credit bureau data include all people with a credit bureau record as of August 2025. The 2025 Urban Institute update measures student loan delinquency (payments that are 60 or more days overdue) rather than student loan default (payments that are 270 or more days overdue). In July 2022, three nationwide credit reporting companies made changes to reported medical debt, reducing the share of people with medical debt collections on credit records, but not the share of people with medical debt in collections. Median debt in collection in 2025 = $2,334.

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of the Urban Institute’s Debt in America: An Interactive Map, 2025; (Narrative) Hassani et al. Urban Institute blog, 2018; Congressional Research Services, 2025; The Institute for College Access & Success, 2025.

Economic Connectedness

What this measures:

For people earning below median income, the percentage of their Facebook friends who earn above the median income is a proxy for economic connectedness. Economic connectedness measures interactions across socio-economic class.

Economic Connectedness of Kansans Age 25-44 by County, 2022

Facebook friends who earn high-income (%)

• Less than 40.0% (14 Counties)
• 40.0-44.9% (19 Counties)
• 45.0-49.9% (35 Counties)
• 50.0-54.9% (25 Counties)
• 55.0% or greater (11 Counties)

Source: (Figure and Narrative) Chetty et al. Social Capital I: Measurement and Associations With Economic Mobility, Nature, 2022, 608(7921):108−121; Chetty et al. Social Capital II: Determinants of Economic Connectedness, Nature, 2022, 608(7921):122−134.

One-third of Kansas counties (36 of 105) display high economic connectedness — on average, at least half of Facebook friends of those earning below the median income earn above the median income.

Attending college, participating in community activities with high integration across income levels, and living in affordable mixed-income housing can increase economic connectedness. Increased connections with people of higher socioeconomic status are linked to improved upward mobility, or children’s ability to rise out of poverty in adulthood.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

Economic Connectedness of Kansans Age 25-44 by County, 2022

Note: Analysis by Chetty et al. (2022a) uses Facebook data from users with a U.S. ZIP code listed on their account as of May 28, 2022; activity in the 30 days prior to the analysis; and at least 100 U.S.-based Facebook friends (n = 72.2 million nationally). Counties with fewer than 100 Facebook users with low income and 100 Facebook users with high income were excluded. Facebook friends refer to links between accounts that must be confirmed by both individuals, with most links occurring between people who have interacted in person. However, these links do not indicate closeness of friendship.

Source: (Figure and Narrative) Chetty et al. Social Capital I: Measurement and Associations With Economic Mobility, Nature, 2022, 608(7921):108−121; Chetty et al. Social Capital II: Determinants of Economic Connectedness, Nature, 2022, 608(7921):122−134.

Employment Growth

What this measures:

Projected employment growth for the 10 occupations expected to add the most jobs in Kansas between 2022 and 2032, based on long-term occupational projections, along with the median wage for each occupation.

Top 10 Occupations by Employment Growth in Number of Additional Jobs, 2022-2032

Occupation (Median Wage)

• Home Health and Personal Care Aides ($29,190)
  • Base Employment 2022: 27,135
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 5,856
  • Total: 32,991
• Restaurant Cooks ($34,200)
  • Base Employment 2022: 11,801
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 3,047
  • Total: 14,848
• Software Developers ($106,660)
  • Base Employment 2022: 12,554
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 2,902
  • Total: 15,456
• Fast Food and Counter Workers ($27,000)
  • Base Employment 2022: 35,020
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 1,979
  • Total: 36,999
• Stockers and Order Fillers ($35,830)
  • Base Employment 2022: 28,284
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 1,884
  •  Total: 30,168
• Registered Nurses ($78,060)
  • Base Employment 2022: 32,313
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 1,594
  • Total: 33,907
• Medical and Health Services Managers ($104,990)
  • Base Employment 2022: 5,113
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 1,434
  • Total: 6,547
• Nurse Practitioners ($124,690)
  • Base Employment 2022: 3,236
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 1,393
  • Total: 4,629
• Nursing Assistants ($36,910)
  • Base Employment 2022: 22,099
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 1,347
  • Total: 23,446
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers ($56,940)
  • Base Employment 2022: 25,401
  • Projected Additional Growth 2032: 1,302
  • Total: 26,703

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of the Kansas Department of Labor Kansas Occupational Projections, 2022-2032; (Narrative) Nguyen et al. U.S. Department of Labor Blog, 2024; and United for Alice Kansas Report, 2025.

Half of Kansas’ 10 fastest-growing occupations are in health care, including a mix of lower-wage caregiving roles and higher-wage health care professions.

Home health and personal care aide jobs are projected to grow by 21.6 percent, adding nearly 6,000 jobs, partly due to an aging Kansas population. The 2024 median wage for this occupation was $29,190. The bare minimum estimated cost to live and work in 2023 for a family of two adults and two children in child care was $68,712.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

Top 10 Occupations by Employment Growth in Number of Additional Jobs, 2022-2032

Note: Top 10 occupations are based on those with the greatest numerical growth projected between 2022 and 2032. Employment projections assume the Kansas labor market will be at full employment in the projected year. Projections reflect structural changes in the economy, not short-term business-cycle fluctuations. Median wage data are from the 2024 Kansas wage survey.

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of the Kansas Department of Labor Kansas Occupational Projections, 2022-2032; (Narrative) Nguyen et al. U.S. Department of Labor Blog, 2024; United for Alice Kansas Report, 2025.

Entrepreneurship

What this measures:

The number of total jobs created by new businesses in their first year per 1,000 people based on state and national populations.

First Year Job Creation by Startups in Kansas and the U.S., 2000-2025

A line graph from 2000 – 2025 reporting first year job creation by startups per 1,000 people for U.S. and Kansas. Snapshot of data every five years is provided below:

2000: U.S. = 7.61, KS = 9.04

2005: U.S. = 6.58, KS = 6.67

2010: U.S. = 4.45, KS = 4.08

2015: U.S. = 5.11, KS = 4.50

2020: U.S. = 4.97, KS = 3.93

2025: U.S. = 5.29, KS = 4.10

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of data received from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Early-Stage Entrepreneurship in Kansas, 2025; (Narrative) Fairlie et al. The Promise and Peril of Entrepreneurship: Job Creation and Survival Among U.S. Startups, 2023.

First-year job creation rates by startups noticeably decreased in Kansas and the United States between 2000 and 2010, then remained steady between 2011 and 2025.

National data show about half of startups survive after two years, and only one-third survive after five years. While first-year job creation levels are relatively low, surviving startups show a continual increase in the number of employees hired between two and seven years after startup.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

First Year Job Creation by Startups in Kansas and the U.S., 2000-2025

Note: Data are from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s analysis of a special panel dataset created from the Current Population Survey and the Business Employment Dynamics series from the U.S. Department of Labor. Data are available by request from Kauffman Foundation and will be publicly available in mid-May. Startups are new employer establishments younger than one year old in a given year. Total employment generated by startups in their first year is normalized by population to create the per-capita startup early job creation measure.

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of data received from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s Early-Stage Entrepreneurship in Kansas, 2025; (Narrative) Fairlie et al. The Promise and Peril of Entrepreneurship: Job Creation and Survival Among U.S. Startups, 2023.

Homeownership

What this measures:

The percentage of primary residences that are owned versus rented, by age group.

Homeownership Rates for Kansas Adults by Age Group, 2024

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 2024, Table B25007; (Narrative) Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2025; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2025.

Less than half of younger adults (age 34 or younger) own their home while more than 70 percent of adults age 35 to 84 own their own home.

In 2024, U.S. homeownership rates fell for the first time in eight years, with the largest decline occurring among households under age 35. Over two-thirds of renters cited the inability to afford a down payment as the primary reason for continuing to rent. Increasing property values and elevated interest rates have led to higher mortgage payments for homebuyers.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

Homeownership Rates for Kansas Adults by Age Group, 2024

Note: Homeownership rates in Kansas for each adult 10-year age group (age 15 to 85 and older) in 2024 (n = 1,204,374).

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 2024, Table B25007; (Narrative) Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2025; Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 2025.

Insurance Premiums

What this measures:

The cost of employer-sponsored health insurance premiums for both employees and employers.

Insurance Premiums for Employers and Employees for Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance, 2013-2024

A line graph from 2013 to 2024 reporting employee and employer share of employer-sponsored health insurance for family coverage. Snapshot of data provided for select years below:

Average Annual Price Increases 2013-2024

Total Annual Premium – Family

Employer Contribution 3.6%

Employee Contribution 5.1%

Total Annual Premium – Employee Only

Employer Contribution 3.2%

Employee Contribution 4.2%

Consumer Price Index Midwest, All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) 2.5%

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) annual data; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for Midwest Urban Consumers, 2013-2024; (Narrative) KFF, 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey.

Premium increases in Kansas for employer-sponsored health insurance have outpaced the rate of inflation over the past 10 years.

Rising health insurance premiums affect both employers and employees. For employers, higher premiums increase the cost of offering coverage. For employees, higher premiums can result in increased payroll contributions and reduced take-home wages.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

Insurance Premiums for Employers and Employees for Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance, 2013-2024

Note: Family coverage is defined as a plan that covers the enrollee and members of the enrollee’s immediate family (spouse and/or children). Employee-only coverage is a plan that covers the employee only.

Source: (Figure) Kansas Health Institute analysis of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) annual data; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for Midwest Urban Consumers, 2013-2024; (Narrative) KFF, 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey.

State and Local Tax Burden

What this measures:

Share of household income paid in state and local taxes by income group in Kansas.

Percent of Kansas Total Income Spent on State and Local Taxes by Income Groups, 2023

Income Group (Household Income of Adults Under Age 65): Percent of Total Income

• Lowest 20% (Less than $24,700): 11.4%
• Second 20% ($24,700 to <$49,900): 11.2%
• Middle 20% ($49,900 to <$85,300): 11.7%
• Fourth 20% ($85,300 to <$136,700): 11.2%
• Next 15% ($136,700 to <$269,300): 10.8%
• Next 4% ($269,300 to <$655,700): 9.0%
• Top 1% (Over $655,700): 7.5%

Source: (Figure and Narrative) Institute on Taxation and Economy Policy (ITEP), Who Pays? 7th Edition, 2023.

Households with the lowest incomes (bottom 20 percent) pay about 11.4 percent of their income in state and local taxes, while households with the highest income (top 1 percent) pay about 7.5 percent.

Low- and middle-income households in Kansas pay a higher share of their income in state and local taxes than higher-income households. Because lower-income households have less discretionary income, higher effective tax rates add to financial strain.

Funding and Support Provided by:

Kansas Health Foundation

Analysis and Design by:

Kansas Health Institute

Want to learn more about the data?

Percent of Kansas Total Income Spent on State and Local Taxes by Income Groups, 2023

Note: Figure represents state and local taxes only, not federal taxes. The Institute on Taxation and Economy Policy (ITEP) excludes federal income taxes and reflects only the policies and effects on state and local systems. Taxes include sales and excise taxes, property taxes, personal income taxes, corporate taxes and other minor levies.

The Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Survival Budget estimates the bare minimum cost of household essentials to live and work. An ALICE household of two adults and two children in child care that earns less than the 2023 estimated Survival Budget ($68,712) would fall in the middle 20 percent tax group.

Source: (Figure and Narrative) Institute on Taxation and Economy Policy (ITEP), Who Pays? 7th Edition, 2023. United for Alice Kansas Report, 2025.