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    What a Middle-Class Income Means in Every US State

    Press RoomBy No Comments6 Mins Read

    You’ve been hearing about the K-shaped economy and the shrinking middle class, but what does it actually mean to be in the middle class at all in the US today?

    For many, the label can describe a suburban, non-excessive way of life, but the actual income it implies can span a wide range.

    A recent SmartAsset study calculated the income needed to be considered middle class in every US state.

    The study used the US Census Bureau’s 2024 one-year American Community Survey median household income estimates for all 50 states. It applied a variation of the Pew Research Center’s definition of middle class — households that earn between two-thirds and double the median income — to identify a middle-class salary range.

    Rankings were then determined by comparing the upper limit of middle-class income among states and ranking those earnings from highest to lowest.

    In five states, households earning over $200,000 can still be considered middle class, while in seven, you can be counted in the category even with household incomes of under $45,000.

    In Massachusetts, the highest-ranked state, a household can earn up to $209,656 and still be considered middle class, while in Mississippi, the lowest-ranked, earning more than $118,254 puts you above the threshold.

    Meanwhile, in West Virginia, the second-lowest, a household earning $40,532 can be considered middle class, while in New Jersey, the second-highest, it takes an annual income of $69,529 to do so.

    See how much money you really need to earn to be in the middle class in every US state.

    ALABAMA


    Montgomery Alabama Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial

    Montgomery, Alabama.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $44,439 to $133,318

    Median household income: $66,659

    Rank: 44 out of 50

    ALASKA


    View of street in downtown Juneau, Alaska, on spring day; mountains in background

    Juneau, Alaska.

    Lana2011/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $63,777 to $191,330

    Median household income: $95,665

    Rank: 11

    ARIZONA


    Tempe, Arizona, USA Drone Skyline Aerial Panorama

    Tempe, Arizona.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $54,324 to $162,972

    Median household income: $81,486

    Rank: 20

    ARKANSAS


    Aerial shot of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

    Little Rock, Arkansas.

    Rdlamkin/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $41,404 to $124,212

    Median household income: $62,106

    Rank: 47

    CALIFORNIA


    Downtown San Jose city skyline, cityscape of Silicon Valley in California, USA

    San Jose, California

    f11photo/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $66,766 to $200,298

    Median household income: $100,149

    Rank: 5

    COLORADO


    Varied view of Denver Colorado with prominent local mountain in background.

    Denver.

    Nicholas Campbell/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $64,742 to $194,226

    Median household income: $97,113

    Rank: 8

    CONNECTICUT


    New Haven, Connecticut

    New Haven, Connecticut.

    Ashley RK Smith/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $64,033 to $192,098

    Median household income: $96,049

    Rank: 10

    DELAWARE


    An aerial image of Dewey Beach, Delaware, looking south from the area near Chicago Street during a coastal sunrise

    Dewey Beach, Delaware.

    Tyler Smiley/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $58,356 to $175,068

    Median household income: $87,534

    Rank: 13

    FLORIDA


    Historical American city architecture. St. Augustine, old city in Florida state at night. Streets and buildings from above.

    St. Augustine, Florida.

    Bilanol/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $51,823 to $155,470

    Median household income: $77,735

    Rank: 26

    GEORGIA


    Atlanta, Georgia, USA downtown skyline at dawn.

    Atlanta.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $53,327 to $159,982

    Median household income: $79,991

    Rank: 23

    HAWAII


    Honolulu skyline and lagoon at sunset. Scenic view of a tropical lagoon with palm trees, sandy beach, and the illuminated Honolulu skyline reflecting the warm hues of sunset

    Honolulu.

    Iryna Olkhova/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $67,163 to $201,490

    Median household income: $100,745

    Rank: 4

    IDAHO


    City of trees Boise Idaho with fall colors

    Boise, Idaho.

    knowlesgallery/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $54,111 to $162,332

    Median household income: $81,166

    Rank: 21

    ILLINOIS


    ILLINOIS

    Chicago.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $55,474 to $166,422

    Median household income: $83,211

    Rank: 18

    INDIANA


    Aerial View of Vibrant Indianapolis Cityscape with Serene Park and Waterway at Golden Hour

    Indianapolis.

    Nicholas Klein/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $47,973 to $143,918

    Median household income: $71,959

    Rank: 41

    IOWA


    Des Moines, Iowa.

    Des Moines, Iowa.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $50,334 to $151,002

    Median household income: $75,501

    Rank: 34

    KANSAS


    Aerial panorama of Topeka, Kansas along the 10th Avenue. Topeka is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County

    Topeka, Kansas.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $50,343 to $151,028

    Median household income: $75,514

    Rank: 33

    KENTUCKY


    Beautiful sunset night view of Louisville Kentucky Skyline with river and lit buildings

    Louisville, Kentucky.

    littleny/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $43,017 to $129,052

    Median household income: $64,526

    Rank: 46

    LOUISIANA


    Aerial view of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the Mississippi River on a sunny August day

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

    George Dodd/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $40,657 to $121,972

    Median household income: $60,986

    Rank: 48

    MAINE


    Augusta, Maine, USA downtown skyline on the Kennebec River.

    Augusta, Maine.

    SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $50,961 to $152,884

    Median household income: $76,442

    Rank: 30

    MARYLAND


    Baltimore

    Baltimore.

    Thomas Berberich/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $68,603 to $205,810

    Median household income: $102,905

    Rank: 3

    MASSACHUSETTS


    Orange brick houses along stunning skyscrapers. Varied scenery of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Aerial view.

    Boston.

    Vadym Terelyuk/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $69,885 to $209,656

    Median household income: $104,828

    Rank: 1 (the highest middle-class ceiling in the US)

    MICHIGAN


    Detroit, Michigan, USA downtown skyline from above at dusk.

    Detroit.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $48,259 to $144,778

    Median household income: $72,389

    Rank: 37

    MINNESOTA


    St Paul, MN, USA - June 07, 2025: An aerial view of the illuminated skyscrapers in St. Paul city center, bathed in the warm hues of sunset

    St. Paul, Minnesota.

    GummyBone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $58,078 to $174,234

    Median household income: $87,117

    Rank: 14

    MISSISSIPPI


    Jackson, Mississippi, USA cityscape at dusk.

    Jackson, Mississippi.

    SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $39,418 to $118,254

    Median household income: $59,127

    Rank: 50 (the lowest middle-class ceiling in the US)

    MISSOURI


    Aerial view of downtown St Louis, featuring the Gateway Arch

    St. Louis.

    Perry Spring/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $47,726 to $143,178

    Median household income: $71,589

    Rank: 42

    MONTANA


    Aerial panorama of Missoula, Montana, above Beartracks Bridge. Missoula is a city in and the county seat of Missoula County, Montana. It is located along the Clark Fork River.

    Missoula, Montana.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $50,227 to $150,680

    Median household income: $75,340

    Rank: 35

    NEBRASKA


    Omaha, Nebraska, USA downtown skyline on the Missouri River at night.

    Omaha, Nebraska.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $50,917 to $152,752

    Median household income: $76,376

    Rank: 31

    NEVADA


    Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Downtown City Skyline.

    Las Vegas.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $54,089 to $162,268

    Median household income: $81,134

    Rank: 22

    NEW HAMPSHIRE


    Aerial view of Concord and the New Hampshire State House. The capitol houses the New Hampshire General Court, Governor, and Executive Council.

    Concord, New Hampshire.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $66,521 to $199,564

    Median household income: $99,782

    Rank: 6

    NEW JERSEY


    Panoramic view of New Jersey City skylines

    Jersey City, New Jersey.

    bluebeat76/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $69,529 to $208,588

    Median household income: $104,294

    Rank: 2

    NEW MEXICO


    Scenic Aerial View of Albuquerque at Golden Sunset in New Mexico stock photo

    Albuquerque, New Mexico.

    GummyBone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $45,211 to $135,632

    Median household income: $67,816

    Rank: 43

    NEW YORK


    Aerial view of the New York City skyline at sunset featuring the Empire State Building and surrounding skyscrapers.

    New York City.

    Wirestock/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $57,213 to $171,640

    Median household income: $85,820

    Rank: 15

    NORTH CAROLINA


    Charlotte North Carolina Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial

    Charlotte, North Carolina.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $49,305 to $147,916

    Median household income: $73,958

    Rank: 36

    NORTH DAKOTA


    Aerial View of the Tourist Town of Medora, North Dakota outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

    Medora, North Dakota.

    Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $51,914 to $155,742

    Median household income: $77,871

    Rank: 25

    OHIO


    Downtown Akron, Ohio, USA at autumn sunset features a mix of modern and historic architecture. Prominent are twin-spired churches and contemporary buildings. The foreground shows a parking lot with evenly spaced cars and vibrant green trees. In the background, the skyline rises under a dramatic clouded sky, colored in warm hues by the setting sun. The scene captures a serene and picturesque moment in the city.

    Akron, Ohio.

    RudyBalasko/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $48,141 to $144,424

    Median household income: $72,212

    Rank: 39

    OKLAHOMA


    Tulsa, Oklahoma.

    Tulsa, Oklahoma.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $44,099 to $132,296

    Median household income: $66,148

    Rank: 45

    OREGON


    Aerial view of Portland, Oregon, showcasing the vibrant downtown with a mix of modern and classic skyscrapers. The Willamette River with a bridge and paddlewheel riverboat adds scenic beauty and historical charm.

    Portland, Oregon.

    Nicholas Klein/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $56,813 to $170,440

    Median household income: $85,220

    Rank: 16

    PENNSYLVANIA


    Pittsburgh USA downtown city skyline on the Ohio River at dusk.

    Pittsburgh.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $51,697 to $155,090

    Median household income: $77,545

    Rank: 27

    RHODE ISLAND


    Aerial panorama of Providence skyline at dusk. Providence is the capital city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Founded in 1636 is one of the oldest cities in USA.

    Providence, Rhode Island.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $55,669 to $167,008

    Median household income: $83,504

    Rank: 17

    SOUTH CAROLINA


    Drone Aerial of Main Street in Downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.

    Spartanburg, South Carolina.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $48,233 to $144,700

    Median household income: $72,350

    Rank: 38

    SOUTH DAKOTA


    Panorama of Rapid City, South Dakota, USA

    Rapid City, South Dakota.

    EunikaSopotnicka/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $51,254 to $153,762

    Median household income: $76,881

    Rank: 29

    TENNESSEE


    Knoxville, Tennessee, TN Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial.

    Knoxville, Tennessee.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $47,998 to $143,994

    Median household income: $71,997

    Rank: 40

    TEXAS


    Houston Texas Drone Skyline Aerial stock photo

    Houston.

    Kruck20/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $53,147 to $159,442

    Median household income: $79,721

    Rank: 24

    UTAH


    Downtown of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Green residential area scattered at backdrop at the foot of the mountains.

    Salt Lake City.

    Vadym Terelyuk/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $64,439 to $193,316

    Median household income: $96,658

    Rank: 9

    VERMONT


    Stowe Vermont sunrise stock photo

    Stowe, Vermont.

    Jim Espey/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $55,153 to $165,460

    Median household income: $82,730

    Rank: 19

    VIRGINIA


    Aerial view of Richmond Virginia

    Richmond, Virginia.

    Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Middle-class range: $61,393 to $184,180

    Median household income: $92,090

    Rank: 12

    WASHINGTON


    Aerial view of Seattle skyline with the Space Needle in the foreground and Mount Rainier rising in the distance. Clear skies highlight the city's modern architecture and natural beauty.

    Seattle.

    Engel Ching/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $66,259 to $198,778

    Median household income: $99,389

    Rank: 7

    WEST VIRGINIA


    Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, USA Overlooking the Shenandoah Valley in Autumn Season stock photo

    Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $40,532 to $121,596

    Median household income: $60,798

    Rank: 49

    WISCONSIN


    Aerial View of Daniel W. Hoan Memorial Bridge Spanning Across Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Showcasing Vibrant Urbanity and Natural Tranquility, 2023

    Milwaukee.

    Nicholas Klein/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $51,659 to $154,976

    Median household income: $77,488

    Rank: 28

    WYOMING


    Cheyenne Wyoming stock photo

    Cheyenne, Wyoming.

    HABesen/Getty Images

    Middle-class range: $50,355 to $151,064

    Median household income: $75,532

    Rank: 32

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