Jonah Patel
Determining what constitutes a middle-class income in the United States is a complex question. While income is a significant factor, it is not the sole determinant of class. Other factors, such as the cost of living, lifestyle choices, and lived experience, also play a role in defining class. According to the Pew Research Center, middle-income households in 2022 earned between \$56,600 and \$169,800 annually for a household of three. However, this range varies depending on the cost of living in metropolitan areas and household size. Additionally, the income required to be considered middle class differs significantly across states and cities. For example, in 2025, a household in Massachusetts needed between \$66,565 and \$199,716 to be considered middle class, while in Mississippi, the range was between \$36,132 and \$108,406.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Middle-income households as a percentage of the total population | 52% |
| Lower-income households as a percentage of the total population | 28% |
| Upper-income households as a percentage of the total population | 19% |
| Median household income in the U.S. | $80,610 (2023) |
| Middle-income range for a household of three | $56,600 to $169,800 (2022) |
| Upper bound of middle-class income range | >$100,000+ (varies by state) |
| States with the highest middle-class income ranges | Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland |
| States with the lowest middle-class income ranges | Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana |
| Cities with the highest middle-class income ranges | Sunnyvale, CA; Fremont, CA; San Mateo, CA |
| Cities with the lowest middle-class income ranges | Detroit, MI; Cleveland, OH; Toledo, OH |
| Determining factors for class status | Income, cost of living, lifestyle choices, lived experience, social and cultural capital |
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What You'll Learn
Middle-income households in the US
The definition of a "middle-income household" in the US is a complex and nuanced topic that involves various factors beyond just income. It encompasses the cost of living, lifestyle choices, and lived experiences, as well as social and cultural capital. While the Pew Research Center's income calculator provides a starting point for determining one's income class, it's important to recognize that class perception is relative and influenced by one's surroundings and community.
In 2022, the national middle-income range for a household of three was approximately $56,600 to $169,800 annually. However, these income thresholds are not static and vary based on factors such as household size, location, and the cost of living in a particular area. For instance, in metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living, a household may need more than $56,600 to be considered middle-income. Conversely, households in less expensive areas or with fewer than three members may fall within the middle-income tier with incomes below $56,600.
The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as households earning between two-thirds and double the median US household income. According to the US Census Bureau, the median household income in 2023 was $80,610. Using this definition, middle-income households would include those earning between $43,350 and $130,000. However, this calculation does not account for household size or location, which are crucial factors in determining income class.
The income required to be considered middle-class varies significantly across different states and cities in the US. For example, in Massachusetts, the threshold for middle-class salaries is between $66,565 and $199,716. In contrast, Mississippi has the lowest-earning middle class, with residents considered middle-class if they make between $35,142 and $105,438. Similarly, in Detroit, a city with a low median income, a household income of $24,299 to $76,160 would still be considered middle-class.
It's worth noting that the income thresholds for the middle class have been climbing due to factors such as inflation and shifting wages. As a result, even as more households earn six-figure salaries, many middle-class earners are feeling financial pressure. Additionally, the wealth gap between upper-income families and middle-and-lower-income families has been widening, with racial disparities also contributing to the complexity of income classes in the US.
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Racial wealth gap
In 2022, middle-income households in the US had incomes ranging from about $56,600 to $169,800. This range varies with the cost of living in metropolitan areas and household size. For instance, a household in a metropolitan area with a higher-than-average cost of living or one with more than three people would need more than $56,600 to be included in the middle-income tier.
However, determining one's income class status can be challenging. People tend to live in communities with similar incomes, which can skew their perception of their class standing. Additionally, class involves more than just income; it includes the cost of living, lifestyle choices, lived experience, and social and cultural capital.
Despite these complexities, it is important to address the significant racial wealth gap in the United States. This gap has persisted and, in some cases, worsened, during economic shifts such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Recession of 2007-2009.
In 2021, households with a White, non-Hispanic householder had ten times more wealth than those with a Black householder, according to the US Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). This disparity is partly due to the higher levels of unsecured debt among Black households, especially student loans and medical debt. Additionally, Black households have faced centuries of discrimination in public policy, financial practices, and societal norms that have limited their wealth accumulation.
Other racial groups have also experienced wealth gaps. Between 2019 and 2022, the racial wealth gap between the median white household and the median Black household increased by $49,950, resulting in a total difference of $240,120 in wealth. During the same period, median wealth increased by varying rates: $51,800 for all races, $25,000 for Black households, $42,000 for Hispanic households, $43,000 for Asian households, and $62,000 for white households.
The factors contributing to these disparities include differences in inheritance sizes, with Black and Hispanic households receiving lower amounts due to historical practices such as slavery and segregation. Additionally, Asian households tend to have higher levels of education, contributing to their overall wealth.
To address the racial wealth gap, significant policy changes are needed to impact wealth accumulation and distribution. Suggested approaches include progressive tax policies with increasing tax burdens as wealth and income rise, and reparations from the private and public sectors. These measures could help ease immediate disparities and move towards racial wealth equity.
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Cost of living
The cost of living is a crucial factor in determining what constitutes middle-class income in the United States. While definitions of the middle class often focus on income ranges, the purchasing power of that income varies significantly across different areas.
In 2022, the national middle-income range for a household of three was about $56,600 to $169,800 annually. However, this range is adjusted based on the cost of living in metropolitan areas. For example, Jackson, Tennessee, is a relatively inexpensive area with a cost of living 13.0% below the national average, while the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley metropolitan area in California is one of the most expensive, with a cost of living 17.9% higher than the national average.
The income required to be considered middle class can vary widely across different states and even cities within the same state. For instance, in 2025, the income range to be considered middle class in Detroit was $25,384 to $76,160, while in California's Silicon Valley, it was $317,228 to $339,562.
Inflation also plays a significant role in shaping the purchasing power of middle-class incomes. While a six-figure income may once have been considered a benchmark for middle-class comfort, inflationary pressures have eroded the spending power of many Americans in recent years. As a result, a six-figure income may no longer stretch as far as it once did, and the middle class may be feeling the squeeze.
Additionally, it's important to consider that class is about more than just income. It involves lifestyle choices, lived experiences, and social and cultural capital. People often deduce their class standing from their immediate surroundings, neighbourhood, workplace, and social circles. Therefore, the experience of class is entirely relative, and it can be challenging to determine one's income class status accurately.
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Household size
The Pew Research Center, for instance, defines the middle class as households earning between two-thirds and double the median U.S. household income. Using this definition, the middle-income range for a household of three was approximately $56,600 to $169,800 in 2022. However, the income thresholds for middle-class status vary with household size. For instance, a larger household with more than three people would need more than $56,600 to be considered middle-income, while a smaller household with fewer than three people could be classified as middle-income with less than $56,600.
The subjective nature of class perception further complicates the definition of middle-class income regarding household size. People tend to live in communities with similar incomes, which can make it challenging for individuals to accurately assess their class status relative to others. This phenomenon, known as "reference groups," influences how individuals perceive their class standing. As a result, households with similar incomes but different sizes may perceive their class positions differently based on the specific contexts of their neighbourhoods, workplaces, and social circles.
Overall, while income thresholds provide a quantitative framework for defining the middle class, the concept of middle-class income in the United States is nuanced and influenced by factors such as household size, geographic location, and subjective perceptions of class. These factors collectively shape the understanding of what constitutes a middle-class income in the country.
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Income status
According to the Pew Research Center, the middle class is typically defined as households earning between two-thirds and double the median U.S. household income. In 2023, the median household income was $80,610, so the middle-income range was approximately $43,350 to $130,000. However, this is a simplistic calculation as it does not account for household size or location. For instance, a single individual with an income of $100,000 would be considered upper-income in most places.
The income required to be considered middle class varies significantly across the United States. For example, in 2025, a household in Massachusetts needed an income between $66,565 and $199,716 to be considered middle class, while in Mississippi, the range was $36,132 to $108,406. Even within states, there can be wide variations. For instance, in California, the income required to be middle class in Sunnyvale is over $300,000, while in Detroit, a household can earn under $26,000 and still be considered middle class.
It is worth noting that the income thresholds for different classes are not static and have been changing over time. For instance, due to inflation and shifting wages, the income needed to maintain a middle-class status has climbed in recent years.
To determine their income status, individuals can use tools like the Pew income calculator, which takes into account factors such as location, income before taxes, household size, and demographic characteristics.
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Frequently asked questions
The income range for a middle-class household in the US varies depending on the source and the year. In 2022, Pew Research Center defined a middle-class household as one that earned between $56,600 and $169,800 annually for a household of three. However, other sources provide different ranges, such as between $49,478 and $71,359, or between $52,000 and $98,500.
In addition to income, several other factors can influence whether a household is considered middle class. These include the cost of living, lifestyle choices, and lived experience. The size of the household and the location can also play a role, as larger households or those living in more expensive areas may need higher incomes to be considered middle class.
Determining your income class status can be challenging due to the relative nature of class. However, a good starting point is to use an income calculator, such as the one provided by Pew Research Center. This calculator takes into account factors such as income, location, household size, education level, age, race, and marital status to provide an estimate of your income class status.
Yes, the middle-class income range in the US has changed over time. For example, in 2023, the Pew Research Center defined a middle-class income as between $43,350 and $130,000, which is lower than the range they provided in 2022. Additionally, some sources suggest that the income needed to maintain a middle-class status has climbed due to factors such as inflation and shifting wages.
