The towns (a few different ones, all with MSA populations in the 500,000 range) I'm thinking of has fast food starting at $13.50/hour. With two incomes it isn't out of reach, and that is before you work up the chain, or find a better job - there are lots of other jobs hiring in the area for better pay (they are harder jobs to break into though). While the areas aren't the best, they are still safer than many larger cities.

Margins are slim for sure though. That point should not be overlooked. I am not trying to claim it is easy to live at the bottom.