It is like that here in NM. It has always been a poor state, mainly agri-business and federal (military), but now, since Californians have been moving in, prices started going way up for housing. And now, people from the NE are moving here, causing a spike in prices like no other. The cities are growing, as are the towns, but most of the places don't have enough water to support a much higher population, that is the problem (I welcome the business, the area is booming).
Well the Californians filled up Oregon, Washington, Arizona, so now its New Mexico. I have done a lot of business in Yuma over the last couple of years and am amazed at the number of new houses being built and sold there each time I visit. The economy of Yuma hasn't change yet there are a lot of tax immigrants from California moving in. I hope they don't spoil the Yuma vibe with their strip mall appetites.