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.
* * *
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.
First five states are Blue States and the last five (considered the poorest) are Red States…🤔 Are the best in between?
From the chart, it says:
“Middle class is defined as earning between
two-thirds and twice the medium household income.”
Yes, that stood out to me as well
“First five states are Blue States and the last five (considered the poorest) are Red States”
May be i the text somewhere, but owning your hmoe outright along with cars would seem to be a huge factor in this.
-PJ
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.
Fella, to live in a blue state you gotta be able to pay the vig.
Ha!
yeah but the catch is you have to live there :)
Not the trade-off i’m looking for.
I like being on a relatively cheap island that is a half hour from a bustling city.
As I age though, I could see a quieter state sounding very nice
“...to live in a blue state you gotta be able to pay the vig...”
To live in a blue state you gotta be a raving lunatic. Maybe even own an NGO or two, sucking off the govt. teat, you know...just to help ends meet.... spit.
texas is a red state and austin is freaking garbage
Maybe it’s not the state but the neighborhoods, huh?
“...Maybe it’s not the state but the neighborhoods, huh?...”
Actually, it’s the urban areas within the states. I guess that would classify as a neighborhood of sorts. Just about every state has some “neighborhoods” that are crazy blue. The larger ones can, and do, sway the entire state.
So yeah, I can agree with ya on that. Fricken’ Austin, TX is insane blue. Houston is not much better. NYC, Shitcago, Seattle, etc...all sway their entire states leaving the sane in the dustbin....
Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso are all solid blue.
Being at the bottom means you don’t have to make as much to live a middle income life in your state. Anyway, that’s how I’m interpreting the article.
You have a point there, and could be referring to the spending power of your income. If one is debt free, and I mean completely debt free, making a mere $50,000 is the equivalent of making about $100,000.
Many people are in that interest trap. Mortgage interest, car interest, toys (boat, RV) interest and the worst being that 20% or better credit card interest. A good portion of their income is literally wasted on interest.
We are debt free, we own everything we possess and pay credit cards off monthly. It’s so nice to be able to just buy anything you want to and have the money to pay for it outright.
Are blue areas of Texas spreading more within state borders than red cities?
Oh Goody!🙄🙄
My state is just behind Massachusetts and New Yersey. Try harder, Maryland!🙄🙄
I’m in the bottom State, MS.
Our retirements and SS keep us comfortable....and the Gulf Coast is a nice place to live - as long as no hurricanes hit🥸
You can tell by the quality of the pizza.
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