What it means to be middle class in America depends heavily on where you live. A new SmartAsset study, using Census Bureau data, calculates the income range for middle-class households in each state, applying the Pew Research Center's definition of earning between two-thirds and double the median household income.
Nationally, middle-class households earn between $53,935 and $161,806 annually, the study found. But the figures diverge sharply at the state level, with Massachusetts posting the highest median income and Mississippi the lowest. The analysis underscores how the K-shaped economy and the shrinking middle class manifest differently across regions.
In high-cost states like Massachusetts, the upper limit of middle-class income reaches substantially higher than in lower-cost states such as Mississippi. The study relied on the US Census Bureau's 2024 one-year American Community Survey estimates for all 50 states to derive these ranges.
For many Americans, the label "middle class" evokes a suburban, non-excessive lifestyle, but the actual income required to maintain that status varies enormously. Residents in expensive states may earn six figures and still not feel financially secure, while those in lower-cost areas may achieve middle-class comfort on significantly less.
The findings serve as a reminder that national averages can mask stark local realities. Policymakers and individuals alike must consider cost of living when evaluating economic standing.