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Achieving a six-figure household income does not automatically equate to being wealthy; in many instances, it merely signifies a middle-class status.
According to a 2023 analysis by SmartAsset utilizing the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the upper limit defining middle-class households surpasses $100,000 across every U.S. state.
This analysis examined figures across all 50 states, grounded in Pew Research’s framework, which defines the middle class as earning between two-thirds to double the median household income.
Massachusetts has emerged with the highest threshold for what constitutes a middle-class salary, surpassing New Jersey from previous year rankings. Households in Massachusetts require an income ranging from $66,565 to $199,716 to be classified within the middle class, with the upper limit increasing by nearly $11,000 since the last report.
Inflation’s Impact on Middle-Class Earnings
Despite an increase in households earning six-figure salaries, many individuals classified as middle class are facing financial pressures. Although inflation-adjusted wages have shown growth since 2022, these advancements have been significantly diminished by escalating costs that have emerged since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020.
Key expenses, such as housing and food, have surged dramatically. Between January 2020 and December 2024, home prices soared by 52% according to the Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, while food prices have increased by 30%, as indicated by Consumer Price Index statistics. During this same timeframe, overall inflation rose by 25%.
The financial strain is reflected in a 2024 survey conducted by the National True Cost of Living Coalition, revealing that nearly two-thirds of middle-class Americans feel financially burdened and do not anticipate improving conditions.
Inflation rates have recently stabilized around 3% year-over-year, which, while still above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, is a vast improvement from the peak of 9.1% observed in June 2022. Nevertheless, the ongoing ramifications of the past few years have considerably diminished many Americans’ purchasing power, suggesting that a six-figure income may no longer afford the same lifestyle as it once did.
For detailed information on what is classified as middle class in your state, refer to the breakdown below.
Middle-Class Income Ranges by State
Alabama
Low end of middle class: $41,471 High end of middle class: $124,424 Median household income: $62,212
Alaska
Low end of middle class: $57,748 High end of middle class: $173,262 Median household income: $86,631
Arizona
Low end of middle class: $51,538 High end of middle class: $154,630 Median household income: $77,315
Arkansas
Low end of middle class: $39,129 High end of middle class: $117,400 Median household income: $58,700
California
Low end of middle class: $63,674 High end of middle class: $191,042 Median household income: $95,521
Colorado
Low end of middle class: $61,934 High end of middle class: $185,822 Median household income: $92,911
Connecticut
Low end of middle class: $61,104 High end of middle class: $183,330 Median household income: $91,665
Delaware
Low end of middle class: $54,235 High end of middle class: $162,722 Median household income: $81,361
Florida
Low end of middle class: $48,869 High end of middle class: $146,622 Median household income: $73,311
Georgia
Low end of middle class: $49,750 High end of middle class: $149,264 Median household income: $74,632
Hawaii
Low end of middle class: $63,542 High end of middle class: $190,644 Median household income: $95,322
Idaho
Low end of middle class: $49,956 High end of middle class: $149,884 Median household income: $74,942
Illinois
Low end of middle class: $53,532 High end of middle class: $160,612 Median household income: $80,306
Indiana
Low end of middle class: $46,313 High end of middle class: $138,954 Median household income: $69,477
Iowa
Low end of middle class: $47,617 High end of middle class: $142,866 Median household income: $71,433
Kansas
Low end of middle class: $46,884 High end of middle class: $140,666 Median household income: $70,333
Kentucky
Low end of middle class: $40,741 High end of middle class: $122,236 Median household income: $61,118
Louisiana
Low end of middle class: $38,815 High end of middle class: $116,458 Median household income: $58,229
Maine
Low end of middle class: $49,150 High end of middle class: $147,466 Median household income: $73,733
Maryland
Low end of middle class: $65,779 High end of middle class: $197,356 Median household income: $98,678
Massachusetts
Low end of middle class: $66,565 High end of middle class: $199,716 Median household income: $99,858
Michigan
Low end of middle class: $46,117 High end of middle class: $138,366 Median household income: $69,183
Minnesota
Low end of middle class: $56,718 High end of middle class: $170,172 Median household income: $85,086
Mississippi
Low end of middle class: $36,132 High end of middle class: $108,406 Median household income: $54,203
Missouri
Low end of middle class: $45,692 High end of middle class: $137,090 Median household income: $68,545
Montana
Low end of middle class: $47,198 High end of middle class: $141,608 Median household income: $70,804
Nebraska
Low end of middle class: $49,722 High end of middle class: $149,180 Median household income: $74,590
Nevada
Low end of middle class: $50,904 High end of middle class: $152,728 Median household income: $76,364
New Hampshire
Low end of middle class: $64,552 High end of middle class: $193,676 Median household income: $96,838
New Jersey
Low end of middle class: $66,514 High end of middle class: $199,562 Median household income: $99,781
New Mexico
Low end of middle class: $41,508 High end of middle class: $124,536 Median household income: $62,268
New York
Low end of middle class: $54,725 High end of middle class: $164,190 Median household income: $82,095
North Carolina
Low end of middle class: $47,198 High end of middle class: $141,608 Median household income: $70,804
North Dakota
Low end of middle class: $51,012 High end of middle class: $153,050 Median household income: $76,525
Ohio
Low end of middle class: $45,175 High end of middle class: $135,538 Median household income: $67,769
Oklahoma
Low end of middle class: $41,421 High end of middle class: $124,276 Median household income: $62,138
Oregon
Low end of middle class: $53,435 High end of middle class: $160,320 Median household income: $80,160
Pennsylvania
Low end of middle class: $49,211 High end of middle class: $147,648 Median household income: $73,824
Rhode Island
Low end of middle class: $56,642 High end of middle class: $169,944 Median household income: $84,972
South Carolina
Low end of middle class: $45,198 High end of middle class: $135,608 Median household income: $67,804
South Dakota
Low end of middle class: $47,869 High end of middle class: $143,620 Median household income: $71,810
Tennessee
Low end of middle class: $45,083 High end of middle class: $135,262 Median household income: $67,631
Texas
Low end of middle class: $50,515 High end of middle class: $151,560 Median household income: $75,780
Utah
Low end of middle class: $62,274 High end of middle class: $186,842 Median household income: $93,421
Vermont
Low end of middle class: $54,135 High end of middle class: $162,422 Median household income: $81,211
Virginia
Low end of middle class: $59,948 High end of middle class: $179,862 Median household income: $89,931
Washington
Low end of middle class: $63,064 High end of middle class: $189,210 Median household income: $94,605
West Virginia
Low end of middle class: $37,295 High end of middle class: $111,896 Median household income: $55,948
Wisconsin
Low end of middle class: $49,749 High end of middle class: $149,262 Median household income: $74,631
Wyoming
Low end of middle class: $48,272 High end of middle class: $144,830 Median household income: $72,415
Source
www.cnbc.com