Do you identify as middle class?
It’s a complex question, and perceptions of being ‘middle class’ can differ greatly by country.
In the UK, class is often viewed as a blend of cultural identity and social standing, not strictly tied to income.
For instance, a tradesperson like a plumber or electrician might earn more than a university lecturer, but the lecturer is more likely to be considered ‘middle class’, while the tradesperson might still see themselves as ‘working class’.
In contrast, the US primarily associates class with income and the lifestyle it affords.
And here’s a hint – the income requirements are quite steep these days.
According to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau analyzed by SmartAsset, the income needed to be classified as middle class in the US depends significantly on your location.
Take Massachusetts, for example, where you need an income between $66,565 and $199,716 annually to fit the middle class bracket.
By contrast, in Mississippi, being middle class means earning between $36,132 and $108,406 annually.
Astonishingly, a 2023 report from Forbes stated that ‘over half’ of Americans earning over $100,000 a year still live ‘paycheck to paycheck’, which starkly contrasts the traditional middle class lifestyle associated with a degree of financial security.
This sentiment was mirrored in a 2024 survey by the National True Cost of Living Coalition, highlighting that two-thirds of those identified as middle class are facing financial difficulties.
This situation seems contradictory, as being middle class traditionally implies financial stability, including the ability to save, invest, and make significant purchases without resorting to credit.
If this is not the case, it calls into question the definition of ‘middle class’.
Below is the comprehensive list of middle-class income ranges for each state, presented alphabetically: