A middle-class American is defined as any person or family that earns a specific annual income range, which is often listed as between $50,000 to $150,000. Of course, this amount varies throughout different areas of the country. And an amount that places a family of three in the middle-class could position a family of nine closer to the low-income bracket. Middle class Americans often share a set of characteristics, like homeownership and at least an average education. Statistically, about 50% of the country falls into this middle-class category. This section of the population embodies the stereotypical American dream – that hard-working Americans can move from middle class to upper class if they put their nose to the grindstone. Because such a large chunk of the American population is considered middle-class, this category includes a variety of people from different backgrounds and represents diverse values.
When looking into where middle-class Americans tend to live, we discover rural areas are a popular option due to large sections of affordable land and cheap resources. Another popular area is the suburbs, where residents can find practical and affordable homes. These suburban areas are also usually community oriented and near decent schools, as well as adjacent to bigger cities where job opportunities abound. Alternatively, some middle-class Americans live in less expensive parts of urban areas. Ultimately, a middle-class family’s choice of where to lay down roots depends on a variety of factors and can differ significantly among individuals.
When searching for new places to live, middle-class Americans may look for several different characteristics. Affordability is a big one, as many families have rising bills and are saving for college funds and retirement. Additionally, a safe environment is a high priority for individuals, especially families with young children. Having stores and other resources nearby is also important for a convenient lifestyle. Depending on the family in question, public transportation may be necessary, especially as the cost of buying and maintaining a vehicle skyrockets.
Using five-year data from the 2022 ACS, we identified the 39 U.S. counties and county equivalents middle-class Americans are flocking to. Counties are ranked on the number of residents aged 15 and up with an annual income between $50,000 and $75,000 who moved in from a different county, a different state, or from abroad in 2022. To focus on places middle-income Americans are moving to, relocations to a new home within a given county were not considered in this ranking.
When looking at patterns in the data, we see that a handful of counties on our list are located in the same states. For example, states that are represented multiple times include California, Florida, and Texas. Though some of these counties have a higher-than-average cost of living, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, attracting residents from far and wide.
Why It Matters
We considered this topic valuable due to the fact that millions of Americans move annually, for a variety of reasons. And since half the population falls under the category of ‘middle-class American’, a great deal of these individuals must choose where to relocate. In fact, 4.5 million people earning an income of between $50,000 and $75,ooo (a.k.a. middle-class Americans) moved to a new location in 2022. Interestingly, only 39 counties nationwide reported an influx of more than 8,000 people earning between $50,000 and $75,000 in 2022.
39. Pinellas County, Florida
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 8,003 (1.0% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 42.9% from different county in state; 53.0% from a different state; 4.1% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 1.3% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $66,406
- Location: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area
38. Palm Beach County, Florida
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 8,176 (0.6% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 36.5% from different county in state; 54.7% from a different state; 8.8% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 10.9% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $76,066
- Location: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area
37. Pierce County, Washington
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 8,539 (1.2% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 59.3% from different county in state; 32.2% from a different state; 8.6% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 8.3% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $91,486
- Location: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area
36. Queens County, New York
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 8,814 (0.4% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 65.0% from different county in state; 23.0% from a different state; 12.0% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 15.4% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $82,431
- Location: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metro area
35. San Bernardino County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 8,942 (0.5% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 71.3% from different county in state; 22.5% from a different state; 6.2% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 3.8% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $77,423
- Location: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area
34. Sacramento County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 8,952 (0.7% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 80.1% from different county in state; 16.1% from a different state; 3.9% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 3.8% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $84,010
- Location: Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA metro area
33. Cobb County, Georgia
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 9,145 (1.5% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 74.4% from different county in state; 20.9% from a different state; 4.7% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 1.9% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $94,244
- Location: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area
32. Wake County, North Carolina
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 9,215 (1.0% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 43.3% from different county in state; 52.0% from a different state; 4.7% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 0.3% less expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $96,734
- Location: Raleigh, NC metro area
31. Santa Clara County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 9,270 (0.6% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 48.4% from different county in state; 34.2% from a different state; 17.3% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 12.0% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $153,792
- Location: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area
30. Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 9,375 (1.0% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 34.1% from different county in state; 63.5% from a different state; 2.3% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 1.6% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $79,265
- Location: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area
29. Alameda County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 9,385 (0.7% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 60.5% from different county in state; 27.6% from a different state; 11.9% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 17.1% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $122,488
- Location: San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA metro area
28. Orange County, Florida
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 9,580 (0.8% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 42.8% from different county in state; 45.9% from a different state; 11.4% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 0.6% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $72,629
- Location: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL metro area
27. Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 9,654 (0.7% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 31.2% from different county in state; 57.9% from a different state; 10.9% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 3.2% less expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $57,537
- Location: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area
26. Arapahoe County, Colorado
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 10,080 (1.9% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 66.1% from different county in state; 31.8% from a different state; 2.0% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 8.2% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $92,292
- Location: Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro area
25. Fairfax County, Virginia
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 10,182 (1.1% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 48.2% from different county in state; 46.3% from a different state; 5.5% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 17.5% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $145,165
- Location: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area
24. Collin County, Texas
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 10,182 (1.2% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 61.3% from different county in state; 31.7% from a different state; 6.9% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 10.1% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $113,255
- Location: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area
23. Hennepin County, Minnesota
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 10,411 (1.0% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 58.3% from different county in state; 37.9% from a different state; 3.8% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 6.2% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $92,595
- Location: Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area
22. Suffolk County, Massachusetts
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 10,701 (1.6% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 42.6% from different county in state; 42.5% from a different state; 14.9% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 12.3% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $87,669
- Location: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area
21. Kings County, New York
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 10,965 (0.5% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 56.9% from different county in state; 34.4% from a different state; 8.7% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 15.9% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $74,692
- Location: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metro area
20. Bexar County, Texas
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 10,991 (0.7% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 43.6% from different county in state; 48.3% from a different state; 8.1% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 4.0% less expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $67,275
- Location: San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro area
19. Broward County, Florida
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 11,239 (0.7% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 52.6% from different county in state; 37.3% from a different state; 10.1% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 10.2% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $70,331
- Location: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area
18. Fulton County, Georgia
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 11,243 (1.3% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 54.5% from different county in state; 39.9% from a different state; 5.6% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 5.9% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $86,267
- Location: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area
17. Hillsborough County, Florida
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 11,289 (0.9% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 45.3% from different county in state; 49.5% from a different state; 5.2% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 1.2% less expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $70,612
- Location: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area
16. Denton County, Texas
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 11,303 (1.5% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 69.8% from different county in state; 26.6% from a different state; 3.6% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 8.5% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $104,180
- Location: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area
15. Clark County, Nevada
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 11,593 (0.6% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 4.3% from different county in state; 88.7% from a different state; 7.1% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 4.6% less expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $69,911
- Location: Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV metro area
14. Riverside County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 11,835 (0.6% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 75.7% from different county in state; 19.2% from a different state; 5.1% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 7.0% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $84,505
- Location: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area
13. Tarrant County, Texas
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 12,858 (0.8% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 66.5% from different county in state; 28.4% from a different state; 5.0% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 3.1% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $78,872
- Location: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area
12. Orange County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 13,064 (0.5% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 66.9% from different county in state; 23.7% from a different state; 9.4% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 20.3% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $109,361
- Location: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area
11. Travis County, Texas
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 13,422 (1.3% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 53.3% from different county in state; 43.0% from a different state; 3.7% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 2.1% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $92,731
- Location: Austin-Round Rock, TX metro area
10. Denver County, Colorado
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 13,716 (2.3% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 47.0% from different county in state; 48.3% from a different state; 4.7% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 10.4% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $85,853
- Location: Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO metro area
9. Middlesex County, Massachusetts
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 13,811 (1.0% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 47.5% from different county in state; 41.5% from a different state; 11.0% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 12.5% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $121,304
- Location: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area
8. New York County, New York
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 13,940 (1.0% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 30.8% from different county in state; 52.1% from a different state; 17.1% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 32.6% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $99,880
- Location: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA metro area
7. King County, Washington
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 16,473 (0.9% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 31.2% from different county in state; 57.1% from a different state; 11.7% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 17.8% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $116,340
- Location: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area
6. Dallas County, Texas
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 16,841 (0.8% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 55.7% from different county in state; 36.4% from a different state; 7.9% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 2.5% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $70,732
- Location: Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area
5. San Diego County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 17,797 (0.7% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 35.5% from different county in state; 54.1% from a different state; 10.4% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 15.1% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $96,974
- Location: San Diego-Carlsbad, CA metro area
4. Cook County, Illinois
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 20,718 (0.5% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 29.6% from different county in state; 57.5% from a different state; 12.9% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 5.6% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $78,304
- Location: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metro area
3. Harris County, Texas
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 22,386 (0.6% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 50.3% from different county in state; 41.9% from a different state; 7.8% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 1.2% less expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $70,789
- Location: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX metro area
2. Maricopa County, Arizona
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 24,101 (0.7% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 16.3% from different county in state; 77.1% from a different state; 6.6% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 0.4% less expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $80,675
- Location: Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ metro area
1. Los Angeles County, California
- New middle-income residents in 2022: 24,326 (0.3% of current,15 and older population)
- Origin of new high-income residents: 44.2% from different county in state; 44.2% from a different state; 11.7% from abroad
- Est. cost of living in county: 12.1% more expensive than average
- Median household income in county: $83,411
- Location: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area
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