A new study has revealed how much you need to earn to live a middle class lifestyle in every U.S. state, and the minimum income varies by $30,000
The American middle class is a broad socioeconomic group that sits between the wealthy elite and the working poor, typically defined by income level, education, and lifestyle.
In monetary terms, the middle class is generally defined as households with incomes between two-thirds and double the national median household income—which is currently $77,719, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The report, by SmartAsset and based on U.S. Census Bureau Data, found that the priciest state for living a middle class lifestyle is Massachusetts, where you would need between $66,565 and $199,716 to live comfortably. The Bay State is closely followed by New Jersey ($66,514 to $199,562) and Maryland ($65,779 to $197,356).
At the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi is the least expensive state to enjoy a middle class lifestyle. Here, you’d need between $36,132 and $108,406.
In second last comes West Virginia, where residents need to be on at least $37,295, up to $111,896, to be considered middle class. You’d need a similar paycheck range in third to last state Louisiana, between $38,815 and $116,458.
California, the most populous state, comes in fifth, where living a middle class lifestyle would require incomes between $63,674 and $191,042. The second most populous state, Texas, ranks in the middle. Residents of the Lone Star State need between $50,515 and $151,560 to qualify as middle class.
In every state, the median income falls between these bounds, showing that the majority of each state is considered middle class.
How Much Do I Need To Be Middle Class In Each State?
According to the report, you need to be earning between the following to be middle class in every U.S. state:
- 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
The Changing Middle Class
While the middle class—where the majority of Americans fall—has long been considered the backbone of the U.S. economy, driving consumer spending and economic growth, factors such as wage stagnation, rising costs of living, and economic shifts have influenced its stability and size over time.
According to the Pew Research Center, the share of Americans in the middle class has shrunk over recent decades. In 1971, 61 percent of Americans lived in middle-class households, but by 2023, the share had fallen to 51 percent.
It also found that over the years, the increase in the share of those viewed as upper class was greater than the increase in the share of those whose incomes are considered lower class. From 1971 to 2023, the share of Americans who live in lower income households increased from 27 percent to 30 percent, and the share in upper income households increased from 11 percent to 19 percent.
