Special Report
Income It Takes to Be Considered Middle Class in Every State
Published:
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The strength of the American middle class is a common point of focus among politicians and analysts, as it was during this most recent presidential election. For many, this group is important for cultural reasons, signifying “everyday America.” For others, it represents the consumer class that drives the American economy.
But who actually makes up the middle class in the United States? For such a commonly-discussed group, there is surprisingly little consensus on how to define the group. One Pew Research Center study defines it as households earning between two-thirds and twice the median household income. Other varying definitions include a range of annual household incomes as low as $13,000 and as high as $230,000.
To determine the income it takes for a family to be considered middle class in every state, using one of the wider definitions, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on U.S. family income quintiles from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey. We reviewed the lower boundary of the second quintile and the upper boundary of the fourth quintile, representing in total 60% of American families. We adjusted these boundaries for state-level cost of living using regional price parity data for 2018 from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The RPP-adjusted boundaries were defined as the range of income that could be considered middle class in a given state.
From state to state, the cost of living varies significantly. Adjusting for the cost of living, the bottom threshold of the middle class in one state is as low as $15,165 and as high as $41,532 in another. At the other end of the spectrum, the upper range of the middle 60% of earners is as low as $148,210 and as high as $295,250.
Because this income distribution is so wide, it is likely that many households, even after adjusting for cost of living, can technically fall into the middle class in their state yet still be unable to meet the basic comfortable standard of living many associate with a middle class lifestyle. This is the income a family actually needs to avoid poverty in every state.
Generally, states where the middle class by this definition has a lower income range have lower incomes across the board and higher poverty rates. In many of these states, income distribution tends to most disproportionately favor the richest people in the state. For example, in Mississippi, the middle 60% of earners in the state account for 45.0% of the state’s aggregate income, while the richest 5% of families alone account for 23.4%. Click here to see how many children live in poverty in your state.
Click here to see the income it would take to be considered middle class in every state.
Click here to read our methodology.
Alabama
> Household income range for middle class: $17,807 – $91,778
> Median family income: $66,171 (6th lowest)
> Middle class share of Alabama income: 46.5% (22nd lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Alabama income: 21.8% (23rd lowest)
> Cost of living in Alabama: 13.6% less expensive than U.S. avg. (3rd lowest)
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Alaska
> Household income range for middle class: $35,393 – $151,683
> Median family income: $91,971 (11th highest)
> Middle class share of Alaska income: 48.7% (4th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Alaska income: 19.7% (the lowest)
> Cost of living in Alaska: 4.8% more expensive than U.S. avg. (10th highest)
Arizona
> Household income range for middle class: $26,486 – $116,748
> Median family income: $74,468 (17th lowest)
> Middle class share of Arizona income: 46.8% (24th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Arizona income: 21.8% (23rd lowest)
> Cost of living in Arizona: 3.5% less expensive than U.S. avg. (25th highest)
Arkansas
> Household income range for middle class: $17,671 – $83,606
> Median family income: $62,387 (4th lowest)
> Middle class share of Arkansas income: 45.6% (9th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Arkansas income: 23.1% (13th highest)
> Cost of living in Arkansas: 14.7% less expensive than U.S. avg. (the lowest)
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California
> Household income range for middle class: $36,996 – $187,706
> Median family income: $91,377 (12th highest)
> Middle class share of California income: 45.0% (5th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of California income: 23.4% (7th highest)
> Cost of living in California: 15.4% more expensive than U.S. avg. (3rd highest)
Colorado
> Household income range for middle class: $34,860 – $150,014
> Median family income: $95,164 (7th highest)
> Middle class share of Colorado income: 47.2% (21st highest)
> Richest 5% share of Colorado income: 21.8% (21st lowest)
> Cost of living in Colorado: 1.9% more expensive than U.S. avg. (13th highest)
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Connecticut
> Household income range for middle class: $32,486 – $170,888
> Median family income: $101,272 (4th highest)
> Middle class share of Connecticut income: 43.8% (2nd lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Connecticut income: 25.3% (2nd highest)
> Cost of living in Connecticut: 6.1% more expensive than U.S. avg. (8th highest)
Delaware
> Household income range for middle class: $30,155 – $132,979
> Median family income: $87,148 (16th highest)
> Middle class share of Delaware income: 47.9% (13th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Delaware income: 21.0% (14th lowest)
> Cost of living in Delaware: 1.2% less expensive than U.S. avg. (18th highest)
Florida
> Household income range for middle class: $26,023 – $117,719
> Median family income: $71,348 (11th lowest)
> Middle class share of Florida income: 44.8% (3rd lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Florida income: 24.1% (3rd highest)
> Cost of living in Florida: 0.6% more expensive than U.S. avg. (15th highest)
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Georgia
> Household income range for middle class: $23,948 – $114,234
> Median family income: $74,833 (18th lowest)
> Middle class share of Georgia income: 45.4% (7th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Georgia income: 23.3% (9th highest)
> Cost of living in Georgia: 7.0% less expensive than U.S. avg. (24th lowest)
Hawaii
> Household income range for middle class: $41,532 – $181,202
> Median family income: $96,462 (6th highest)
> Middle class share of Hawaii income: 49.0% (2nd highest)
> Richest 5% share of Hawaii income: 19.9% (2nd lowest)
> Cost of living in Hawaii: 18.1% more expensive than U.S. avg. (the highest)
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Idaho
> Household income range for middle class: $25,989 – $103,435
> Median family income: $72,365 (13th lowest)
> Middle class share of Idaho income: 48.3% (7th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Idaho income: 20.6% (6th lowest)
> Cost of living in Idaho: 7.5% less expensive than U.S. avg. (22nd lowest)
24/7 Wall St.Illinois
> Household income range for middle class: $27,109 – $134,640
> Median family income: $87,771 (15th highest)
> Middle class share of Illinois income: 45.7% (11th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Illinois income: 23.1% (11th highest)
> Cost of living in Illinois: 1.9% less expensive than U.S. avg. (19th highest)
Indiana
> Household income range for middle class: $22,915 – $98,771
> Median family income: $73,876 (16th lowest)
> Middle class share of Indiana income: 46.9% (23rd highest)
> Richest 5% share of Indiana income: 22.3% (21st highest)
> Cost of living in Indiana: 10.7% less expensive than U.S. avg. (12th lowest)
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Iowa
> Household income range for middle class: $24,663 – $101,008
> Median family income: $78,152 (25th lowest)
> Middle class share of Iowa income: 48.1% (10th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Iowa income: 21.1% (16th lowest)
> Cost of living in Iowa: 10.8% less expensive than U.S. avg. (11th lowest)
Kansas
> Household income range for middle class: $24,741 – $105,573
> Median family income: $79,006 (25th highest)
> Middle class share of Kansas income: 47.5% (17th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Kansas income: 21.3% (18th lowest)
> Cost of living in Kansas: 10.0% less expensive than U.S. avg. (15th lowest)
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Kentucky
> Household income range for middle class: $18,602 – $90,740
> Median family income: $66,183 (7th lowest)
> Middle class share of Kentucky income: 46.0% (17th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Kentucky income: 23.1% (11th highest)
> Cost of living in Kentucky: 12.2% less expensive than U.S. avg. (5th lowest)
Louisiana
> Household income range for middle class: $16,721 – $95,787
> Median family income: $65,105 (5th lowest)
> Middle class share of Louisiana income: 45.1% (6th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Louisiana income: 23.2% (10th highest)
> Cost of living in Louisiana: 10.9% less expensive than U.S. avg. (10th lowest)
Maine
> Household income range for middle class: $25,701 – $111,898
> Median family income: $76,316 (22nd lowest)
> Middle class share of Maine income: 47.6% (16th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Maine income: 20.9% (11th lowest)
> Cost of living in Maine: Same as U.S. avg. (16th highest)
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Maryland
> Household income range for middle class: $39,143 – $177,970
> Median family income: $105,679 (3rd highest)
> Middle class share of Maryland income: 47.6% (15th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Maryland income: 21.0% (15th lowest)
> Cost of living in Maryland: 8.4% more expensive than U.S. avg. (6th highest)
Massachusetts
> Household income range for middle class: $35,233 – $188,259
> Median family income: $108,348 (the highest)
> Middle class share of Massachusetts income: 46.3% (21st lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Massachusetts income: 22.4% (20th highest)
> Cost of living in Massachusetts: 9.7% more expensive than U.S. avg. (5th highest)
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Michigan
> Household income range for middle class: $23,816 – $107,001
> Median family income: $75,703 (20th lowest)
> Middle class share of Michigan income: 46.5% (24th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Michigan income: 22.1% (24th highest)
> Cost of living in Michigan: 7.6% less expensive than U.S. avg. (21st lowest)
Minnesota
> Household income range for middle class: $32,182 – $134,816
> Median family income: $93,584 (9th highest)
> Middle class share of Minnesota income: 48.0% (11th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Minnesota income: 21.0% (13th lowest)
> Cost of living in Minnesota: 2.5% less expensive than U.S. avg. (20th highest)
Mississippi
> Household income range for middle class: $15,165 – $81,480
> Median family income: $58,503 (the lowest)
> Middle class share of Mississippi income: 45.0% (4th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Mississippi income: 23.4% (6th highest)
> Cost of living in Mississippi: 14.0% less expensive than U.S. avg. (2nd lowest)
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Missouri
> Household income range for middle class: $21,672 – $99,280
> Median family income: $73,457 (15th lowest)
> Middle class share of Missouri income: 46.7% (25th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Missouri income: 22.2% (23rd highest)
> Cost of living in Missouri: 11.2% less expensive than U.S. avg. (9th lowest)
Montana
> Household income range for middle class: $22,947 – $101,582
> Median family income: $73,014 (14th lowest)
> Middle class share of Montana income: 46.8% (25th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Montana income: 22.7% (18th highest)
> Cost of living in Montana: 6.7% less expensive than U.S. avg. (25th lowest)
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Nebraska
> Household income range for middle class: $25,928 – $105,225
> Median family income: $80,062 (23rd highest)
> Middle class share of Nebraska income: 48.2% (9th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Nebraska income: 20.8% (9th lowest)
> Cost of living in Nebraska: 10.5% less expensive than U.S. avg. (13th lowest)
24/7 Wall St.Nevada
> Household income range for middle class: $26,762 – $116,795
> Median family income: $76,124 (21st lowest)
> Middle class share of Nevada income: 46.0% (18th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Nevada income: 23.9% (4th highest)
> Cost of living in Nevada: 2.5% less expensive than U.S. avg. (20th highest)
New Hampshire
> Household income range for middle class: $36,598 – $154,617
> Median family income: $97,112 (5th highest)
> Middle class share of New Hampshire income: 48.3% (8th highest)
> Richest 5% share of New Hampshire income: 20.4% (4th lowest)
> Cost of living in New Hampshire: 6.0% more expensive than U.S. avg. (9th highest)
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New Jersey
> Household income range for middle class: $39,920 – $197,868
> Median family income: $105,705 (2nd highest)
> Middle class share of New Jersey income: 45.8% (13th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of New Jersey income: 22.6% (19th highest)
> Cost of living in New Jersey: 15.2% more expensive than U.S. avg. (4th highest)
New Mexico
> Household income range for middle class: $18,986 – $96,249
> Median family income: $61,826 (3rd lowest)
> Middle class share of New Mexico income: 46.1% (19th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of New Mexico income: 22.0% (25th highest)
> Cost of living in New Mexico: 8.9% less expensive than U.S. avg. (18th lowest)
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New York
> Household income range for middle class: $30,797 – $176,842
> Median family income: $89,475 (13th highest)
> Middle class share of New York income: 43.1% (the lowest)
> Richest 5% share of New York income: 25.8% (the highest)
> Cost of living in New York: 16.4% more expensive than U.S. avg. (2nd highest)
24/7 Wall St.North Carolina
> Household income range for middle class: $22,507 – $104,011
> Median family income: $72,049 (12th lowest)
> Middle class share of North Carolina income: 45.7% (10th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of North Carolina income: 22.9% (15th highest)
> Cost of living in North Carolina: 8.2% less expensive than U.S. avg. (19th lowest)
North Dakota
> Household income range for middle class: $25,187 – $110,509
> Median family income: $87,055 (17th highest)
> Middle class share of North Dakota income: 47.4% (18th highest)
> Richest 5% share of North Dakota income: 21.8% (24th lowest)
> Cost of living in North Dakota: 9.4% less expensive than U.S. avg. (16th lowest)
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Ohio
> Household income range for middle class: $22,023 – $100,589
> Median family income: $74,911 (19th lowest)
> Middle class share of Ohio income: 46.5% (23rd lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Ohio income: 22.3% (22nd highest)
> Cost of living in Ohio: 11.6% less expensive than U.S. avg. (8th lowest)
Oklahoma
> Household income range for middle class: $20,466 – $94,811
> Median family income: $68,358 (8th lowest)
> Middle class share of Oklahoma income: 45.8% (15th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Oklahoma income: 23.3% (8th highest)
> Cost of living in Oklahoma: 11.6% less expensive than U.S. avg. (8th lowest)
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Oregon
> Household income range for middle class: $29,412 – $130,639
> Median family income: $82,540 (20th highest)
> Middle class share of Oregon income: 47.9% (14th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Oregon income: 20.7% (7th lowest)
> Cost of living in Oregon: 1.1% more expensive than U.S. avg. (14th highest)
Pennsylvania
> Household income range for middle class: $25,757 – $121,862
> Median family income: $81,075 (22nd highest)
> Middle class share of Pennsylvania income: 45.8% (14th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Pennsylvania income: 23.0% (14th highest)
> Cost of living in Pennsylvania: 2.5% less expensive than U.S. avg. (20th highest)
Rhode Island
> Household income range for middle class: $27,551 – $132,489
> Median family income: $89,373 (14th highest)
> Middle class share of Rhode Island income: 47.3% (19th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Rhode Island income: 22.0% (25th lowest)
> Cost of living in Rhode Island: 0.7% less expensive than U.S. avg. (17th highest)
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South Carolina
> Household income range for middle class: $21,583 – $102,365
> Median family income: $70,537 (10th lowest)
> Middle class share of South Carolina income: 46.0% (16th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of South Carolina income: 22.7% (17th highest)
> Cost of living in South Carolina: 8.9% less expensive than U.S. avg. (18th lowest)
South Dakota
> Household income range for middle class: $23,824 – $98,019
> Median family income: $76,826 (24th lowest)
> Middle class share of South Dakota income: 48.4% (5th highest)
> Richest 5% share of South Dakota income: 20.4% (5th lowest)
> Cost of living in South Dakota: 12.1% less expensive than U.S. avg. (6th lowest)
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Tennessee
> Household income range for middle class: $21,573 – $98,679
> Median family income: $69,993 (9th lowest)
> Middle class share of Tennessee income: 45.5% (8th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Tennessee income: 23.5% (5th highest)
> Cost of living in Tennessee: 10.1% less expensive than U.S. avg. (14th lowest)
Texas
> Household income range for middle class: $26,114 – $124,754
> Median family income: $76,727 (23rd lowest)
> Middle class share of Texas income: 45.7% (12th lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Texas income: 22.8% (16th highest)
> Cost of living in Texas: 3.2% less expensive than U.S. avg. (23rd highest)
Utah
> Household income range for middle class: $34,588 – $128,053
> Median family income: $86,152 (18th highest)
> Middle class share of Utah income: 48.7% (3rd highest)
> Richest 5% share of Utah income: 20.9% (12th lowest)
> Cost of living in Utah: 3.4% less expensive than U.S. avg. (24th highest)
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Vermont
> Household income range for middle class: $28,151 – $123,878
> Median family income: $83,458 (19th highest)
> Middle class share of Vermont income: 48.0% (12th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Vermont income: 20.7% (8th lowest)
> Cost of living in Vermont: 3.0% more expensive than U.S. avg. (11th highest)
Virginia
> Household income range for middle class: $32,507 – $156,063
> Median family income: $93,497 (10th highest)
> Middle class share of Virginia income: 46.3% (21st lowest)
> Richest 5% share of Virginia income: 21.7% (20th lowest)
> Cost of living in Virginia: 2.0% more expensive than U.S. avg. (12th highest)
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Washington
> Household income range for middle class: $37,025 – $163,205
> Median family income: $94,709 (8th highest)
> Middle class share of Washington income: 46.9% (22nd highest)
> Richest 5% share of Washington income: 21.6% (19th lowest)
> Cost of living in Washington: 7.8% more expensive than U.S. avg. (7th highest)
West Virginia
> Household income range for middle class: $17,452 – $85,516
> Median family income: $60,920 (2nd lowest)
> Middle class share of West Virginia income: 47.2% (20th highest)
> Richest 5% share of West Virginia income: 21.3% (17th lowest)
> Cost of living in West Virginia: 12.2% less expensive than U.S. avg. (5th lowest)
Wisconsin
> Household income range for middle class: $26,319 – $108,377
> Median family income: $81,829 (21st highest)
> Middle class share of Wisconsin income: 48.4% (6th highest)
> Richest 5% share of Wisconsin income: 20.8% (10th lowest)
> Cost of living in Wisconsin: 8.1% less expensive than U.S. avg. (20th lowest)
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Wyoming
> Household income range for middle class: $25,760 – $111,422
> Median family income: $79,946 (24th highest)
> Middle class share of Wyoming income: 49.1% (the highest)
> Richest 5% share of Wyoming income: 20.4% (4th lowest)
> Cost of living in Wyoming: 7.3% less expensive than U.S. avg. (23rd lowest)
Methodology:
To determine the income it takes for a family to be considered middle class in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on U.S. household income quintiles from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. The lower and upper boundaries of the three middle income quintiles for the U.S. as a whole were adjusted for state-level cost of living using regional price parity (RPP) data for 2018 from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The RPP-adjusted boundaries were defined as the range of income that could be considered middle class in a given state. Data on median family income, the percentage of households earning $10,000 or less, the percentage of households earning $200,000 or more, median home value, and the Gini index measuring income inequality came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
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