Being middle class in America often means occupying a space between financial struggle and affluence, characterized by a moderate level of economic stability and access to certain opportunities. Historically, it has been associated with owning a home, having a steady job—often in fields like teaching, nursing, or mid-level management—and being able to afford essentials like healthcare, education, and a modest amount of leisure. The middle class is frequently seen as the backbone of the economy, driving consumer spending and embodying the “American Dream” of upward mobility. Yet, this status is not solely defined by income—currently, a household income roughly between $50,000 and $150,000 depending on location—but also by a mindset of security, self-reliance, and the ability to plan for the future, such as saving for retirement or a child’s college education.
However, the reality of middle-class life in America has shifted over recent decades, with many feeling squeezed by stagnant wages, rising costs of living, and increasing debt. Housing, once a hallmark of middle-class achievement, has become unattainable for some in high-cost areas like California or New York, while student loans and medical bills erode disposable income. Families might still enjoy comforts like a yearly vacation or a reliable car, but unexpected expenses can quickly destabilize their finances. This precariousness has led to a growing sense that the middle class is shrinking, with some sociologists arguing it’s more about perception than strict economics—people identify as middle class if they can maintain a lifestyle that feels neither impoverished nor extravagant, even as that lifestyle becomes harder to sustain.
Culturally, being middle class in America also carries social expectations and values, often tied to education, work ethic, and community involvement. It’s the demographic most targeted by politicians, portrayed as “everyday Americans” who value fairness and opportunity. Middle-class identity can span diverse experiences—suburban families, urban renters, or rural small-business owners—but it often implies a belief in meritocracy, even when outcomes don’t always align. Today, debates about what “middle class” means reflect broader anxieties about inequality and the erosion of a once-stable tier, with many wondering if the term still holds the promise it did for past generations or if it’s become a catch-all for those neither rich nor destitute, navigating a landscape of diminishing certainties.
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