# Middle-Class Income Growth: Top Cities in America Where It Thrives
The middle class, often seen as a stable economic group, is facing significant challenges across the U.S. Recent economic struggles have contributed to a decline in this demographic. However, some cities buck this trend and show signs of middle-class prosperity.
To identify these cities, GOBankingRates analyzed data from the U.S. Census, focusing on the 200 largest urban areas. The analysis, based on 2023 information, assessed growth in middle-class incomes, household numbers, and local employment opportunities for middle-class workers.
Defining the middle class largely depends on income levels. Pew Research characterizes middle-class incomes as ranging from two-thirds to double the national median. This range can significantly differ between locations. For instance, Hialeah, Florida has a median household income of $53,079, placing its middle-class income range between $35,386 and $106,158. In contrast, Seattle, Washington, with a median income of $121,984, has a middle-class income range from $81,323 to $243,968.
Below are the cities where the middle class is thriving:
1. Bellevue, Washington
- Median household income: $161,300
- Five-year median income growth (adjusted for inflation): 17.92%
- Middle-class income range (rounded to the nearest $1K): $108K to $323K
2. Providence, Rhode Island
- Median household income: $66,772
- Five-year median income growth: 30.01%
- Middle-class income range: $45K to $134K
3. Miami, Florida
- Median household income: $59,390
- Five-year median income growth: 33.06%
- Middle-class income range: $40K to $119K
4. Hayward, California
- Median household income: $113,775
- Five-year median income growth: 16.60%
- Middle-class income range: $76K to $228K
5. Sunnyvale, California
- Median household income: $181,862
- Five-year median income growth: 13.27%
- Middle-class income range: $121K to $364K
6. Fremont, California
- Median household income: $176,350
- Five-year median income growth: 13.64%
- Middle-class income range: $118K to $353K
7. Hialeah, Florida
- Median household income: $53,079
- Five-year median income growth: 31.39%
- Middle-class income range: $35K to $106K
8. Stockton, California
- Median household income: $78,851
- Five-year median income growth: 49.8%
- Middle-class income range: $79K to $158K
9. West Valley City, Utah
- Median household income: $88,604
- Five-year median income growth: 15.08%
- Middle-class income range: [data not included here]
# The Rising Median Incomes Across U.S. Cities: A Statistical Overview
## 10. Salinas, California
- Median household income: $89,150
- Five-year median income growth: 24.88%
- Middle-class income range: $59K to $178K
Be Aware: How far $1.5 million in retirement savings plus Social Security goes in every state.
## 11. Orange, California
- Median household income: $116,945
- Five-year median income growth: 11.58%
- Middle-class income range: $78K to $234K
## 12. Seattle, Washington
- Median household income: $121,984
- Five-year median income growth: 17.02%
- Middle-class income range: $81K to $244K
## 13. Escondido, California
- Median household income: $84,477
- Five-year median income growth: 11.27%
- Middle-class income range: $56K to $169K
## 14. Denver, Colorado
- Median household income: $91,681
- Five-year median income growth: 17.97%
- Middle-class income range: $61K to $183K
Read More: How much you need to earn to be upper middle class in every state.
## 15. Oceanside, California
- Median household income: $93,724
- Five-year median income growth: 12.06%
- Middle-class income range: $62K to $187K
## 16. Tempe, Arizona
- Median household income: $77,643
- Five-year median income growth: 17.57%
- Middle-class income range: $52K to $155K
## 17. Boston, Massachusetts
- Median household income: $94,755
- Five-year median income growth: 18.05%
- Middle-class income range: $63K to $190K
## 18. Surprise, Arizona
- Median household income: $93,371
- Five-year median income growth: 17.62%
- Middle-class income range: $62K to $187K
Check Out: Here’s the cost of living in every state.
## 19. Charleston, South Carolina
- Median household income: $90,038
- Five-year median income growth: 14.41%
- Middle-class income range: $60K to $180K
## 20. Pomona, California
- Median household income: $78,869
- Five-year median income growth: 17.46%
- Middle-class income range: $53K to $158K
Top Cities for Middle-Class Income Growth in the U.S.
21. Reno, Nevada
- Median household income: $78,448
- Five-year median income growth: 17.26%
- Middle-class income range: $52K to $157K
22. McKinney, Texas
- Median household income: $120,273
- Five-year median income growth: 9.74%
- Middle-class income range: $80K to $241K
23. Mesa, Arizona
- Median household income: $78,779
- Five-year median income growth: 18.22%
- Middle-class income range: $53K to $158K
24. Worcester, Massachusetts
- Median household income: $67,544
- Five-year median income growth: 19.47%
- Middle-class income range: $45K to $135K
25. San Jose, California
- Median household income: $141,565
- Five-year median income growth: 11.48%
- Middle-class income range: $94K to $283K
26. Lancaster, California
- Median household income: $76,083
- Five-year median income growth: 18.95%
- Middle-class income range: $51K to $152K
27. Atlanta, Georgia
- Median household income: $81,938
- Five-year median income growth: 21.67%
- Middle-class income range: $55K to $164K
28. Naperville, Illinois
- Median household income: $150,937
- Five-year median income growth: 4.83%
- Middle-class income range: $101K to $302K
29. Elk Grove, California
- Median household income: $122,229
- Five-year median income growth: 34.66%
- Middle-class income range: $81K to $244K
30. Boise, Idaho
- Median household income: $81,308
- Five-year median income growth: 17.50%
- Middle-class income range: $54K to $163K
Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to a previous version of this article.
Methodology: GOBankingRates examined the top 200 U.S. cities by population using data from the US Census American Community Survey. The analysis included factors like median household incomes for various years, total population, and households, as well as home values from Zillow Home Value Index. Inflation-adjusted median household incomes for 2023 were calculated based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index data. The study computed one-year and five-year changes in income, ultimately identifying cities where the middle class is thriving. Data was current as of April 16, 2025.
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