Middle class can mean different things to different people. You can think of middle class as a certain lifestyle, a state of mind, or a strict measurement of wealth. And how you define middle class determines who falls into it.
Using annual incomes and the cost of living around the country as barometers, the experts at the Pew Research Center have concluded that 52% of Americans qualify as middle class—but that portion can vary widely depending where you live.
According to a Pew study released last fall, the median income of middle-class American households is $70,784, based on Census data from 2021, the latest available. (Pew defines middle class as two-thirds to twice the U.S. median household income, adjusted for household size.)
So where do all these middle-class folks live? Pew drilled down by community as well, and found that the 10 highest concentrations of middle-class Americans reside in the Midwest and Northeast. In Sheboygan, Wisc., the middle class makes up about 65% of the population. In Laredo, Texas, on the other hand, only 39% percent of residents qualify.
That roughly half of American households fall into the middle class is similar to what Pew found in 2011, the last time they did this analysis. But over time the middle class has been shrinking: In 1971, 61% of adults lived in middle-class households.
And during that time both upper and lower-income segments of the population have been growing at the expense of the middle class. Plus, the top group has seen bigger income gains, widening the income gap.
Of course, the median income tells you only so much. You also may wonder how much you have to earn to qualify as middle class in the first place. In the table below, you’ll find the minimum and maximum incomes for middle-class households by the size of your family, from a singer person to a family of four.
The amounts vary because Pew adjusts the data to reflect the cost of living around the country. So, for example, in an area where livings cost are lower, you’ll need a lower income to enter the middle class.
Middle class calculator
Finally, if you want to check out whether you qualify as middle class in your hometown, Pew’s income calculator will let you drill down by metropolitan area.
Range of household incomes needed to be considered middle class, by family size
| State | Single | Couple | Family of four |
| U.S. average | $26,093 – $78,280 | $36,902 – $110,705 | $52,187 – $156,560 |
| Alabama | $22,597 – $67,791 | $31,957 – $95,870 | $45,194 – $135,581 |
| Alaska | $27,502 – $82,507 | $38,894 – $116,683 | $55,005 – $165,015 |
| Arizona | $25,024 – $75,071 | $35,389 – $106,166 | $50,047 – $150,141 |
| Arkansas | $22,675 – $68,025 | $32,067 – $96,202 | $45,350 – $136,051 |
| California | $29,851 – $89,552 | $42,215 – $126,646 | $59,702 – $179,105 |
| Colorado | $26,876 – $80,629 | $38,009 – $114,026 | $53,752 – $161,257 |
| Connecticut | $28,364 – $85,091 | $40,112 – $120,336 | $56,727 – $170,181 |
| Delaware | $26,146 – $78,437 | $36,975 – $110,926 | $52,291 – $156,873 |
| District of Columbia | $30,242 – $90,727 | $42,769 – $128,307 | $60,484 – $181,453 |
| Florida | $26,015 – $78,045 | $36,791 – $110,373 | $52,030 – $156,091 |
| Georgia | $24,032 – $72,096 | $33,986 – $101,959 | $48,064 – $144,192 |
| Hawaii | $30,895 – $92,684 | $43,692 – $131,075 | $61,789 – $185,367 |
| Idaho | $24,267 – $72,801 | $34,318 – $102,955 | $48,534 – $145,601 |
| Illinois | $25,806 – $77,419 | $36,496 – $109,487 | $51,613 – $154,838 |
| Indiana | $23,562 – $70,687 | $33,322 – $99,966 | $47,125 – $141,374 |
| Iowa | $23,536 – $70,609 | $33,285 – $99,856 | $47,072 – $141,217 |
| Kansas | $23,615 – $70,844 | $33,396 – $100,188 | $47,229 – $141,687 |
| Kentucky | $22,910 – $68,730 | $32,400 – $97,199 | $45,820 – $137,460 |
| Louisiana | $23,588 – $70,765 | $33,359 – $100,077 | $47,177 – $141,530 |
| Maine | $25,676 – $77,028 | $36,311 – $108,934 | $51,352 – $154,055 |
| Maryland | $28,572 – $85,717 | $40,407 – $121,222 | $57,144 – $171,433 |
| Massachusetts | $28,129 – $84,386 | $39,780 – $119,340 | $56,257 – $168,772 |
| Michigan | $24,345 – $73,035 | $34,429 – $103,288 | $48,690 – $146,071 |
| Minnesota | $25,441 – $76,323 | $35,979 – $107,937 | $50,882 – $152,646 |
| Mississippi | $22,545 – $67,634 | $31,883 – $95,649 | $45,089 – $135,268 |
| Missouri | $23,354 – $70,061 | $33,027 – $99,081 | $46,707 – $140,121 |
| Montana | $24,554 – $73,662 | $34,724 – $104,173 | $49,108 – $147,323 |
| Nebraska | $23,615 – $70,844 | $33,396 – $100,188 | $47,229 – $141,687 |
| Nevada | $25,415 – $76,245 | $35,942 – $107,827 | $50,830 – $152,490 |
| New Hampshire | $27,633 – $82,899 | $39,079 – $117,236 | $55,266 – $165,797 |
| New Jersey | $29,538 – $88,613 | $41,773 – $125,318 | $59,075 – $177,226 |
| New Mexico | $24,423 – $73,270 | $34,540 – $103,620 | $48,847 – $146,540 |
| New York | $30,164 – $90,492 | $42,658 – $127,975 | $60,328 – $180,984 |
| North Carolina | $23,719 – $71,157 | $33,544 – $100,631 | $47,438 – $142,313 |
| North Dakota | $23,875 – $71,626 | $33,765 – $101,295 | $47,751 – $143,253 |
| Ohio | $23,301 – $69,904 | $32,953 – $98,859 | $46,603 – $139,808 |
| Oklahoma | $23,223 – $69,669 | $32,842 – $98,527 | $46,446 – $139,339 |
| Oregon | $26,041 – $78,124 | $36,828 – $110,483 | $52,082 – $156,247 |
| Pennsylvania | $25,676 – $77,028 | $36,311 – $108,934 | $51,352 – $154,055 |
| Rhode Island | $25,989 – $77,967 | $36,754 – $110,262 | $51,978 – $155,934 |
| South Carolina | $23,562 – $70,687 | $33,322 – $99,966 | $47,125 – $141,374 |
| South Dakota | $23,040 – $69,121 | $32,584 – $97,752 | $46,081 – $138,243 |
| Tennessee | $23,536 – $70,609 | $33,285 – $99,856 | $47,072 – $141,217 |
| Texas | $25,284 – $75,853 | $35,758 – $107,273 | $50,569 – $151,707 |
| Utah | $25,389 – $76,167 | $35,905 – $107,716 | $50,778 – $152,333 |
| Vermont | $26,511 – $79,533 | $37,492 – $112,476 | $53,022 – $159,065 |
| Virginia | $26,694 – $80,081 | $37,750 – $113,251 | $53,387 – $160,161 |
| Washington | $27,529 – $82,586 | $38,931 – $116,794 | $55,057 – $165,171 |
| West Virginia | $22,858 – $68,573 | $32,326 – $96,977 | $45,716 – $137,147 |
| Wisconsin | $24,215 – $72,644 | $34,245 – $102,734 | $48,429 – $145,288 |
| Wyoming | $25,232 – $75,697 | $35,684 – $107,052 | $50,465 – $151,394 |
Notes: Range of household income needed to qualify for middle-income status, by family size, in 2016 dollars. Source: Pew Research Center analysis of 2016 American Community Survey (IPUMS)
Pat Cortland•May 31, 2023
As an expert in economic and demographic trends, I've closely followed and analyzed the dynamics of the middle class in the United States. My understanding is rooted in extensive research, academic knowledge, and a keen interest in socio-economic factors. I have delved into reports from reputable sources such as the Pew Research Center, which is a renowned institution for its in-depth studies on various aspects of American society.
In the provided article, the focus is on the concept of the middle class and its diverse definitions. The Pew Research Center is cited as a reliable source that defines the middle class based on annual incomes and the cost of living, offering a nuanced perspective that considers regional variations. The article reveals that 52% of Americans qualify as middle class, with the median income for such households pegged at $70,784, according to Census data from 2021.
The Pew study further delves into geographical concentrations of the middle class, highlighting that the Midwest and Northeast have the highest proportions of middle-class Americans. The article notes the decline of the middle class over time, pointing out that in 1971, 61% of adults lived in middle-class households.
To provide a comprehensive understanding, the article includes a table with a range of household incomes needed to be considered middle class, categorized by family size and state. These figures are adjusted to reflect the cost of living variations across different regions. The article emphasizes that the median income alone doesn't provide a complete picture and introduces a "middle class calculator" by Pew to help individuals determine if they qualify as middle class in their specific metropolitan area.
In conclusion, this article offers a multi-faceted exploration of the middle class in the United States, incorporating data-driven insights from the Pew Research Center. It touches upon income trends, regional disparities, and the evolving nature of the middle class over the years. The inclusion of specific income ranges for different family sizes and states adds granularity to the discussion, showcasing a holistic approach to understanding this crucial demographic segment.
