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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 at all in the US today?
2026-06-20
For many, the label can describe a suburban, non-excessive way of life, but the actual income it implies can span a wide range.
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.
Meanwhile, 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.
ALABAMA
Montgomery, Alabama.Kruck20/Getty Images
Middle-class range: $44,439 to $133,318
Median household income: $66,659
Rank: 44 out of 50
ALASKA
Juneau, Alaska.Lana2011/Getty Images
Middle-class range: $63,777 to $191,330
Median household income: $95,665
Rank: 11
ARIZONA
Tempe, Arizona.Kruck20/Getty Images
Middle-class range: $54,324 to $162,972
Median household income: $81,486
Rank: 20
ARKANSAS
Little Rock, Arkansas.Rdlamkin/Getty Images/iStockphoto
Middle-class range: $41,404 to $124,212
Median household income: $62,106
Rank: 47
CALIFORNIA
San Jose, Californiaf11photo/Getty Images
Middle-class range: $66,766 to $200,298
Median household income: $100,149
Rank: 5
COLORADO
Denver.Nicholas Campbell/Getty Images
Middle-class range: $64,742 to $194,226
Median household income: $97,113
Rank: 8
CONNECTICUT
New Haven, Connecticut.Ashley RK Smith/Getty Images
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Kristine Villarroel is a reporter on Business Insider's Editorial Partnerships team.Her reporting often turns data into accessible stories about how money, education, policy, and place shape Americans’ lives. She covers stories on college costs and degree outcomes, state-by-state comparisons, public officials’ salaries, the rising cost of living, travel, food, and real estate.She has previously worked writing about culture, entertainment, music, and tech. Her work has been featured on Teen Vogue and Wired. She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. There, she worked as editor of The Independent Florida Alligator. Email Villarroel at kvillarroel@insider.com and follow her on X @ktnedelvalle
