Here's how much you need to earn to be middle class in every US state, ranked

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Low-density two story private homes in rural residential suburbs outside of Rochester, New York. Upscale suburban houses with large lot size and green grassy lawns in summer season stock photo

Household incomes can vary widely across the US — and what counts as middle class does as well.
Massachusetts has the highest median household income in the US, while Mississippi has the lowest.
Households earning between two-thirds and double the median income are considered middle-class.

You've been hearing about the K-shaped economy and the shrinking middle class, but what does it actually mean to be in the middle class in the US today?

For many, the label can describe a suburban, non-excessive way of life, but the actual income it implies can span a wide range of lifestyles.

A recent SmartAsset study calculated the income needed to be considered middle class in every US state.

The study used the US Census Bureau's 2024 one-year American Community Survey median household income estimates for all 50 states. It applied a variation of the Pew Research Center's definition of middle class — households that earn between two-thirds and double the median income — to identify a middle-class salary range.

Rankings were then determined by comparing the upper limit of middle-class income among states and ranking those earnings from highest to lowest.

In five states, households earning over $200,000 can still be considered middle class, while in seven, you can be counted in the category even with household incomes of under $45,000.

In Massachusetts, the highest-ranked state, a household can earn up to $209,656 and still be considered middle class, while in Mississippi, the lowest-ranked, earning more than $118,254 puts you above the threshold. In West Virginia, the second-lowest, a household earning $40,532 can be considered middle class, while in New Jersey, the second-highest, it takes an annual income of $69,529 to do so.

See how much money you really need to earn to be in the middle class in every US state.

50. Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi, USA cityscape at dusk.

Middle-class range: $39,418 to $118,254

Median household income: $59,127

Mississippi has the lowest middle-class income ceiling in the US.

49. West Virginia

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, USA Overlooking the Shenandoah Valley in Autumn Season stock photo

Middle-class range: $40,532 to $121,596

Median household income: $60,798

48. Louisiana

Aerial view of downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana and the Mississippi River on a sunny August day

Middle-class range: $40,657 to $121,972

Median household income: $60,986

47. Arkansas

Aerial shot of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

Middle-class range: $41,404 to $124,212

Median household income: $62,106

46. Kentucky

Beautiful sunset night view of Louisville Kentucky Skyline with river and lit buildings

Middle-class range: $43,017 to $129,052

Median household income: $64,526

45. Oklahoma

Middle-class range: $44,099 to $132,296

Median household income: $66,148

44. Alabama

Montgomery Alabama Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial

Middle-class range: $44,439 to $133,318

Median household income: $66,659

43. New Mexico

Scenic Aerial View of Albuquerque at Golden Sunset in New Mexico stock photo

Middle-class range: $45,211 to $135,632

Median household income: $67,816

42. Missouri

Aerial view of downtown St Louis, featuring the Gateway Arch

Middle-class range: $47,726 to $143,178

Median household income: $71,589

41. Indiana

Aerial View of Vibrant Indianapolis Cityscape with Serene Park and Waterway at Golden Hour

Middle-class range: $47,973 to $143,918

Median household income: $71,959

40. Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee, TN Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial.

Middle-class range: $47,998 to $143,994

Median household income: $71,997

39. Ohio

Downtown Akron, Ohio, USA at autumn sunset features a mix of modern and historic architecture. Prominent are twin-spired churches and contemporary buildings. The foreground shows a parking lot with evenly spaced cars and vibrant green trees. In the background, the skyline rises under a dramatic clouded sky, colored in warm hues by the setting sun. The scene captures a serene and picturesque moment in the city.

Middle-class range: $48,141 to $144,424

Median household income: $72,212

38. South Carolina

Drone Aerial of Main Street in Downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.

Middle-class range: $48,233 to $144,700

Median household income: $72,350

37. Michigan

Detroit, Michigan, USA downtown skyline from above at dusk.

Middle-class range: $48,259 to $144,778

Median household income: $72,389

36. North Carolina

Charlotte North Carolina Downtown Drone Skyline Aerial

Middle-class range: $49,305 to $147,916

Median household income: $73,958

35. Montana

Aerial panorama of Missoula, Montana, above Beartracks Bridge. Missoula is a city in and the county seat of Missoula County, Montana. It is located along the Clark Fork River.

Middle-class range: $50,227 to $150,680

Median household income: $75,340

34. Iowa

Middle-class range: $50,334 to $151,002

Median household income: $75,501

33. Kansas

Aerial panorama of Topeka, Kansas along the 10th Avenue. Topeka is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County

Middle-class range: $50,343 to $151,028

Median household income: $75,514

32. Wyoming

Middle-class range: $50,355 to $151,064

Median household income: $75,532

31. Nebraska

Omaha, Nebraska, USA downtown skyline on the Missouri River at night.

Middle-class range: $50,917 to $152,752

Median household income: $76,376

30. Maine

Augusta, Maine, USA downtown skyline on the Kennebec River.

Middle-class range: $50,961 to $152,884

Median household income: $76,442

29. South Dakota

Panorama of Rapid City, South Dakota, USA

Middle-class range: $51,254 to $153,762

Median household income: $76,881

28. Wisconsin

Aerial View of Daniel W. Hoan Memorial Bridge Spanning Across Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Showcasing Vibrant Urbanity and Natural Tranquility, 2023

Middle-class range: $51,659 to $154,976

Median household income: $77,488

27. Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh USA downtown city skyline on the Ohio River at dusk.

Middle-class range: $51,697 to $155,090

Median household income: $77,545

26. Florida

Historical American city architecture. St. Augustine, old city in Florida state at night. Streets and buildings from above.

Middle-class range: $51,823 to $155,470

Median household income: $77,735

25. North Dakota

Aerial View of the Tourist Town of Medora, North Dakota outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Middle-class range: $51,914 to $155,742

Median household income: $77,871

24. Texas

Houston Texas Drone Skyline Aerial stock photo

Middle-class range: $53,147 to $159,442

Median household income: $79,721

23. Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia, USA downtown skyline at dawn.

Middle-class range: $53,327 to $159,982

Median household income: $79,991

22. Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Downtown City Skyline.

Middle-class range: $54,089 to $162,268

Median household income: $81,134

21. Idaho

City of trees Boise Idaho with fall colors

Middle-class range: $54,111 to $162,332

Median household income: $81,166

20. Arizona

Tempe, Arizona, USA Drone Skyline Aerial Panorama

Middle-class range: $54,324 to $162,972

Median household income: $81,486

19. Vermont

Middle-class range: $55,153 to $165,460

Median household income: $82,730

18. Illinois

Middle-class range: $55,474 to $166,422

Median household income: $83,211

17. Rhode Island

Aerial panorama of Providence skyline at dusk. Providence is the capital city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Founded in 1636 is one of the oldest cities in USA.

Middle-class range: $55,669 to $167,008

Median household income: $83,504

16. Oregon

Aerial view of Portland, Oregon, showcasing the vibrant downtown with a mix of modern and classic skyscrapers. The Willamette River with a bridge and paddlewheel riverboat adds scenic beauty and historical charm.

Middle-class range: $56,813 to $170,440

Median household income: $85,220

15. New York

Aerial view of the New York City skyline at sunset featuring the Empire State Building and surrounding skyscrapers.

Middle-class range: $57,213 to $171,640

Median household income: $85,820

14. Minnesota

An aerial view of the illuminated skyscrapers in St. Paul city center, bathed in the warm hues of sunset

Middle-class range: $58,078 to $174,234

Median household income: $87,117

13. Delaware

An aerial image of Dewey Beach, Delaware, looking south from the area near Chicago Street during a coastal sunrise

Middle-class range: $58,356 to $175,068

Median household income: $87,534

12. Virginia

Middle-class range: $61,393 to $184,180

Median household income: $92,090

11. Alaska

View of street in downtown Juneau, Alaska, on spring day; mountains in background

Middle-class range: $63,777 to $191,330

Median household income: $95,665

10. Connecticut

Middle-class range: $64,033 to $192,098

Median household income: $96,049

9. Utah

Downtown of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Green residential area scattered at backdrop at the foot of the mountains.

Middle-class range: $64,439 to $193,316

Median household income: $96,658

8. Colorado

Varied view of Denver Colorado with prominent local mountain in background.

Middle-class range: $64,742 to $194,226

Median household income: $97,113

7. Washington

Aerial view of Seattle skyline with the Space Needle in the foreground and Mount Rainier rising in the distance. Clear skies highlight the city's modern architecture and natural beauty.

Middle-class range: $66,259 to $198,778

Median household income: $99,389

6. New Hampshire

Aerial view of Concord and the New Hampshire State House. The capitol houses the New Hampshire General Court, Governor, and Executive Council.

Middle-class range: $66,521 to $199,564

Median household income: $99,782

5. California

Downtown San Jose city skyline, cityscape of Silicon Valley in California, USA

Middle-class range: $66,766 to $200,298

Median household income: $100,149

4. Hawaii

Honolulu skyline and lagoon at sunset. Scenic view of a tropical lagoon with palm trees, sandy beach, and the illuminated Honolulu skyline reflecting the warm hues of sunset

Middle-class range: $67,163 to $201,490

Median household income: $100,745

3. Maryland

Middle-class range: $68,603 to $205,810

Median household income: $102,905

2. New Jersey

Panoramic view of New Jersey City skylines

Middle-class range: $69,529 to $208,588

Median household income: $104,294

1. Massachusetts

Orange brick houses along stunning skyscrapers. Varied scenery of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Aerial view.

Middle-class range: $69,885 to $209,656

Median household income: $104,828

Massachusetts has the highest middle-class income ceiling in the US.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in June 2026 and most recently updated in November 2026.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Here's how much you need to earn to be middle class in every US state, ranked

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