Posted on 03/28/2025 9:54:56 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
How much do you need to make to be considered middle class in the U.S.? According to research by SmartAsset, that can range from $36,000 to $200,000, depending on where you live.
This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Bruno Venditti, illustrates the income needed to be considered middle class in every U.S. state. Middle class in this graphic is defined as earning between two-thirds and double the median household income. SmartAsset compiled the data as of February 2025.
The median household income in the U.S. is approximately $75,000, with half of Americans earning less. States with high urbanization and economic activity, like California and New York, tend to have much higher income requirements to count as middle class, while rural states with lower costs, like West Virginia and Arkansas, have lower thresholds.
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In Massachusetts, a household needs to earn between $67,000 and $200,000 to be considered middle class. The state has a high cost of living due to expensive housing, high taxes, and strong demand for services. Its economy is driven by industries like technology, healthcare, and education, attracting well-paid professionals and increasing competition for housing, especially in cities like Boston.
| State | Lower bound on middle class income | Upper bound on middle class income |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $66,565 | $199,716 |
| New Jersey | $66,514 | $199,562 |
| Maryland | $65,779 | $197,356 |
| New Hampshire | $64,552 | $193,676 |
| California | $63,674 | $191,042 |
| Hawaii | $63,542 | $190,644 |
| Washington | $63,064 | $189,210 |
| Utah | $62,274 | $186,842 |
| Colorado | $61,934 | $185,822 |
| Connecticut | $61,104 | $183,330 |
| Virginia | $59,948 | $179,862 |
| Alaska | $57,748 | $173,262 |
| Minnesota | $56,718 | $170,172 |
| Rhode Island | $56,642 | $169,944 |
| New York | $54,725 | $164,190 |
| Delaware | $54,235 | $162,722 |
| Vermont | $54,135 | $162,422 |
| Illinois | $53,532 | $160,612 |
| Oregon | $53,435 | $160,320 |
| Arizona | $51,538 | $154,630 |
| North Dakota | $51,012 | $153,050 |
| Nevada | $50,904 | $152,728 |
| Texas | $50,515 | $151,560 |
| Idaho | $49,956 | $149,884 |
| Georgia | $49,750 | $149,264 |
| Wisconsin | $49,749 | $149,262 |
| Nebraska | $49,722 | $149,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,211 | $147,648 |
| Maine | $49,150 | $147,466 |
| Florida | $48,869 | $146,622 |
| Wyoming | $48,272 | $144,830 |
| South Dakota | $47,869 | $143,620 |
| Iowa | $47,617 | $142,866 |
| Montana | $47,198 | $141,608 |
| North Carolina | $47,198 | $141,608 |
| Kansas | $46,884 | $140,666 |
| Indiana | $46,313 | $138,954 |
| Michigan | $46,117 | $138,366 |
| Missouri | $45,692 | $137,090 |
| South Carolina | $45,198 | $135,608 |
| Ohio | $45,175 | $135,538 |
| Tennessee | $45,083 | $135,262 |
| New Mexico | $41,508 | $124,536 |
| Alabama | $41,471 | $124,424 |
| Oklahoma | $41,421 | $124,276 |
| Kentucky | $40,741 | $122,236 |
| Arkansas | $39,129 | $117,400 |
| Louisiana | $38,815 | $116,458 |
| West Virginia | $37,295 | $111,896 |
| Mississippi | $36,132 | $108,406 |
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the minimum household income to be considered middle class is $36,162. Mississippi is one of the cheapest states to live in due to its low housing costs, lower-than-average wages, and relatively low taxes. The cost of goods and services, including groceries, healthcare, and transportation, is also lower than the national average. Additionally, Mississippi has a lower population density and is less of an economic hub compared to wealthier states.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out this graphic, which ranks the income a family needs to live comfortably in every U.S. state.
Yep, I live in San Antonio - would love to move to a rural Red county, but I need the medical care only offered in the cities. I guess I’m a medical refugee!
"Middle Class is defined as earning between two-thirds and twice the median household income"
Yes. I retired to Michigan from California, and my pension goes much, much further here.
Yes!! I'm almost there! Like... by May! I'm so excited...
“Alabama $41,000 minimum.
My SS is less. SS + mandatory retirement disbursement = approx. $41k, probably a bit more.
But I am single household w/ low expenses and a semi-hermit lifestyle.”
I am in almost the exact situation, also in Alabama. I live quite comfortably on $45,000 a year. I had the foresight to buy a small house before I retired. My house payment is only $477 a month, and my 2016 truck with 60000 miles is paid off. I have Medicare and Tricare for Life so no significant medical bills. I have no financial concerns at all.
Making 49 thousand in Florida would be very difficult to survive. I could not imagine trying to live on that here. Thankfully I don’t have to.
I’ve been called low class before but now the charts prove it.
64k minimum is NOT middle class in most of CA
Closer 125k
“Texas is a red state and Austin is freaking garbage.”
40 years ago Austin was the greatest little city ever. Today it is not little and is governed by the far left. The Austin of old is no more. The best thing in Austin is the tollway that goes around it. Many of us call Austin “Berkley on the Colorado.
I am in a red state,retired but am not now nor ever was at even the low end.
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