How much money does it take to be considered “middle class” in the U.S. today? It all depends on which part of the country you live in. According to new research, the amount varies widely from state to state.
- New data from SmartAsset reveals the minimum income required to qualify as middle class in each state.
- It uses the U.S. Census Bureau median income figures and the Pew Research Center’s definition of middle income as two-thirds to double the median household income.
- It finds the highest thresholds for middle-class incomes are mostly in the Northeast.
- Massachusetts tops the list, where households have to earn $69.9-thousand to hit the middle-income range.
- The lowest thresholds are concentrated in the South. Mississippi ranks last, with $39.4-thousand.
The 10 States Where the Bar for Middle Class is Highest
- Massachusetts $69.9-thousand
- New Jersey $69.5-thousand
- Maryland $68.6-thousand
- Hawaii $67.2-thousand
- California $66.8-thousand
- New Hampshire $66.5-thousand
- Washington $66.3-thousand
- Colorado $64.7-thousand
- Utah $64.4-thousand
- Connecticut $64-thousand
The 5 States with the Lowest Bar for Middle Class
- Mississippi $39.4-thousand
- West Virginia $40.5-thousand
- Louisiana $40.7-thousand
- Arkansas $41.4-thousand
- Kentucky $43-thousand⠀
Source: Realtor.com
photo: GETTY