2025-03-27
You can earn $150,000 a year and still be considered middle class in 23 U.S. states
In the 1990s, earning six figures was a clear marker of upper-class wealth. Today, it’s often just enough to be considered middle class.In fact, the upper bound of what qualifies as middle class now exceeds $100,000 in every U.S. state, according to a SmartAsset analysis of 2023 income data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The report uses Pew Research’s definition of middle class: households earning between two-thirds and double the median income in their state.That means even a $150,000 salary — once a clear marker of affluence — still lands within the middle-class range in nearly half the country.Higher costs are eating into bigger paychecksWages have risen in recent years, but much of that growth has been offset by higher costs for essentials like housing, food and transportation. Since early 2020, home prices have jumped 52%, food costs are up 30% and overall inflation has climbed 25%, according to consumer price index data.That helps explain why many six-figure earners say they feel stretched. Two-thirds of middle-class Americans said they were struggling in a 2024 survey from the National True Cost of Living Coalition, and most didn’t expect their situation to improve.To give a sense of how far $150,000 goes, here’s a look at the 23 states where that salary still falls within the middle-class range, listed in alphabetical order:Alaska Low end of middle class: $57,748 High end of middle class: $173,262 Median household income: $86,631Arizona Low end of middle class: $51,538 High end of middle class: $154,630 Median household income: $77,315California Low end of middle class: $63,674 High end of middle class: $191,042 Median household income: $95,521Colorado Low end of middle class: $61,934 High end of middle class: $185,822 Median household income: $92,911Connecticut Low end of middle class: $61,104 High end of middle class: $183,330 Median household income: $91,665Delaware Low end of middle class: $54,235 High end of middle class: $162,722 Median household income: $81,361Hawaii Low end of middle class: $63,542 High end of middle class: $190,644 Median household income: $95,322Illinois Low end of middle class: $53,532 High end of middle class: $160,612 Median household income: $80,306Maryland Low end of middle class: $65,779 High end of middle class: $197,356 Median household income: $98,678Massachusetts Low end of middle class: $66,565 High end of middle class: $199,716 Median household income: $99,858Minnesota Low end of middle class: $56,718 High end of middle class: $170,172 Median household income: $85,086Nevada Low end of middle class: $50,904 High end of middle class: $152,728 Median household income: $76,364New Hampshire Low end of middle class: $64,552 High end of middle class: $193,676 Median household income: $96,838New Jersey Low end of middle class: $66,514 High end of middle class: $199,562 Median household income: $99,781New York Low end of middle class: $54,725 High end of middle class: $164,190 Median household income: $82,095North Dakota Low end of middle class: $51,012 High end of middle class: $153,050 Median household income: $76,525Oregon Low end of middle class: $53,435 High end of middle class: $160,320 Median household income: $80,160Rhode Island Low end of middle class: $56,642 High end of middle class: $169,944 Median household income: $84,972Texas Low end of middle class: $50,515 High end of middle class: $151,560 Median household income: $75,780Utah Low end of middle class: $62,274 High end of middle class: $186,842 Median household income: $93,421Vermont Low end of middle class: $54,135 High end of middle class: $162,422 Median household income: $81,211Virginia Low end of middle class: $59,948 High end of middle class: $179,862 Median household income: $89,931Washington Low end of middle class: $63,064 High end of middle class: $189,210 Median household income: $94,605Want to earn some extra money on the side? Take CNBC’s new online course How to Start a Side Hustle to learn tips to get started and strategies for success from top side hustle experts. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off $97 (+taxes and fees) through April 1, 2025.Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It’s newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.