In the United States, the definition of being considered middle class can vary greatly depending on where you live. According to data from GOBankingRates, in some states, you can earn over $150,000 and still be considered middle class. To determine the income range needed to qualify as middle class in all 50 states, GOBankingRates used the latest available data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. The personal finance site defines “middle class” as households with an annual income that is two-thirds to double a state’s median income. In states like Maryland and New Jersey, where the median household incomes are among the highest in the country, the high end of the middle-class income range edges close to $200,000.
For example, in Maryland, you’re considered middle class if your income falls between $65,641 and $196,922, while in New Jersey, a middle-class income ranges from $64,751 to $194,252. These income ranges skew higher due to the states’ high median household incomes as of 2022. The income range that qualifies as middle class varies across all 50 states, with Alabama having a middle-class income range of $39,739 to $119,218, and Wyoming having a middle-class income range of $48,330 to $144,990. The wide range of income levels required to be considered middle class demonstrates the economic diversity across the country.
However, being considered middle class is not solely based on income levels. According to Brad Klontz, a certified financial planner and expert in financial psychology and behavioral finance, our financial well-being is subjective and based on who we compare ourselves to. Comparing ourselves to others on social media, who may portray a wealthier lifestyle, can make us feel less than middle class even if our income falls within the defined range. Exposure to people who seem to have more can create feelings of deprivation and inadequacy. Thus, the concept of being middle class goes beyond just a certain income level and encompasses a sense of financial security and well-being.
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