March 24, 2025

Ron Finklestien

Navigating the Divide: Middle Class vs. Upper-Middle Class Across All States


Understanding Your Class Status: Income Levels Across U.S. States

Many individuals believe they belong to the middle class, but their actual income tax bracket may indicate that they are in the upper-middle class without realizing it.

Explore More: Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper-Middle Class in 2025

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In a recent analysis, GOBankingRates determined the middle-class income range for each state. This was accomplished by examining the median household income, total population, and number of households. The middle-class income range was then calculated using the definition provided by the Pew Research Center.

Continue reading to find out where the line lies between middle-class and upper-middle-class income levels.

Huntsville, Alabama Stock photo

Alabama

  • Median household income: $62,027
  • Middle-class income range: $41,351 to $124,054
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $96,486

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Fairbanks, Alaska Aerial View during sunset

Alaska

  • Median household income: $89,336
  • Middle-class income range: $59,557 to $178,672
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $138,967

Consider This: How Much You Need To Earn To Be ‘Rich’ in Every State

Downtown Phoenix Aerial View

Arizona

  • Median household income: $76,872
  • Middle-class income range: $51,248 to $153,744
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $119,579

Fayetteville, Arkansas Aerial View

Arkansas

  • Median household income: $58,773
  • Middle-class income range: $39,182 to $117,546
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $91,425

San Jose Economic Center

California

  • Median household income: $96,334
  • Middle-class income range: $64,223 to $192,668
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $149,853

Aerial View of Colorado Springs

Colorado

  • Median household income: $92,470
  • Middle-class income range: $61,647 to $184,940
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $143,842

Check Out: Are You Rich or Middle Class? 8 Ways To Tell That Go Beyond Your Paycheck

Hartford, Connecticut Skyline

Connecticut

  • Median household income: $93,760
  • Middle-class income range: $62,507 to $187,520
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $145,849

Wilmington, Delaware

Delaware

  • Median household income: $82,855
  • Middle-class income range: $55,237 to $165,710
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $128,886

Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Florida

  • Median household income: $71,711
  • Middle-class income range: $47,807 to $143,422
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $111,550

Augusta, Georgia

Georgia

  • Median household income: $74,664
  • Middle-class income range: $49,776 to $149,328
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $111,550

# Understanding Middle-Class Income Ranges Across the US States

Income Begins: $116,144

Discover More: How Much You Need To Earn To Be Upper Middle Class in Every State

Aerial view showcasing the beautiful coastline of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Hawaii

  • Median household income: $98,317
  • Middle-class income range: $65,545 to $196,634
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $152,938

A suburban neighborhood in Boise, Idaho.

Idaho

  • Median household income: $74,636
  • Middle-class income range: $49,757 to $149,272
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $116,100

Chicago Theatre landmark located in Illinois.

Illinois

  • Median household income: $81,702
  • Middle-class income range: $54,468 to $163,404
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $127,092

Aerial view of the Indianapolis skyline, Indiana.

Indiana

  • Median household income: $70,051
  • Middle-class income range: $46,701 to $140,102
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $108,968

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Morning views in Des Moines, Iowa.

Iowa

  • Median household income: $73,147
  • Middle-class income range: $48,765 to $146,294
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $113,784

Manhattan, Kansas skyline at the junction of the Kansas River.

Kansas

  • Median household income: $72,639
  • Middle-class income range: $48,426 to $145,278
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $112,994

Street view of Louisville, Kentucky amidst historical buildings.

Kentucky

  • Median household income: $62,417
  • Middle-class income range: $41,611 to $124,834
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $97,093

Historic view of New Orleans during sunset.

Louisiana

  • Median household income: $60,023
  • Middle-class income range: $40,015 to $120,046
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $93,369

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Presque Isle, the largest city in Aroostook County, Maine.

Maine

  • Median household income: $71,773
  • Middle-class income range: $47,849 to $143,546
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $111,647

Cumberland, Maryland skyline.

Maryland

  • Median household income: $101,652
  • Middle-class income range: $67,768 to $203,304
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $158,125

Panoramic view of Waltham, Massachusetts.

Massachusetts

  • Median household income: $101,341
  • Middle-class income range: $67,561 to $202,682
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $157,642

Sunset view over Detroit.

Michigan

  • Median household income: $71,149
  • Middle-class income range: $47,433 to $142,298
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $110,676

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Beautiful sunset at Duluth Canal Park Lighthouse with the background of Duluth Downtown.

Minnesota

  • Median household income: $87,556
  • Middle-class income range: $58,371 to $175,112
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $136,198

Jackson, Mississippi, USA skyline over the Capitol Building.

Mississippi

  • Median household income: $54,915
  • Middle-class income range: $36,610 to $109,830
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $85,423

Image of the St. Louis skyline.

Missouri

  • Median household income: $68,920
  • Middle-class income range: $45,947 to $137,840
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $107,209

City view of Billings, Montana.

Montana

  • Median household income: $69,922
  • Middle-class income range: $46,615 to $139,844
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $108,768

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Frozen pond in a park in downtown Omaha.

Nebraska

  • Median household income: $74,985
  • Middle-class income range: $49,990 to $149,970
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $116,643

Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas sign in Nevada.

Nevada

  • Median household income: $75,561
  • Middle-class income range: $50,374 to $151,122
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $117,539

Plymouth State University view.

New Hampshire

  • Median household income: $95,628
  • Middle-class income range: $63,752 to $191,256
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $148,755

Aerial View of Delaware Riverfront Town Gloucester New Jersey.

New Jersey

  • Median household income: $101,050
  • Middle-class income range: $67,367 to $202,100
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $157,189

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Santa Fe, New Mexico downtown cityscape at twilight.

New Mexico

  • Median household income: $62,125
  • Middle-class income range: $41,417 to $124,250
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $96,639

New York City skyline at sunset.

New York

  • Median household income: $84,578
  • Middle-class income range: $56,385 to $169,156
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $131,566

Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina skyline.

North Carolina

  • Median household income: $69,904
  • Middle-class income range: $46,603 to $139,808
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $108,740

Fargo, North Dakota daytime view.

North Dakota

  • Median household income: $75,949
  • Middle-class income range: $50,633 to…

Understanding Household Incomes Across America’s Diverse States

Household income plays a crucial role in defining the financial landscape and living standards across the United States. Here, we provide an overview of median incomes, middle-class ranges, and upper-middle-class thresholds in various states.

Ohio

  • Median household income: $69,680
  • Middle-class income range: $46,453 to $139,360
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $108,391

Toledo, Ohio downtown skyline at twilight.

Oklahoma

  • Median household income: $63,603
  • Middle-class income range: $42,402 to $127,206
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $98,938

Bricktown in Oklahoma City, OK.

Oregon

  • Median household income: $80,426
  • Middle-class income range: $53,617 to $160,852
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $125,107

Bridgeport Village shopping mall in Tigard, Oregon.

Pennsylvania

  • Median household income: $76,081
  • Middle-class income range: $50,721 to $152,162
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $118,348

View of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in autumn.

Rhode Island

  • Median household income: $86,372
  • Middle-class income range: $57,581 to $172,744
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $134,356

Waterfire event in Providence, Rhode Island.

South Carolina

  • Median household income: $66,818
  • Middle-class income range: $44,545 to $133,636
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $103,939

Retail stores on Front Street in Georgetown, SC.

South Dakota

  • Median household income: $72,421
  • Middle-class income range: $48,281 to $144,842
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $112,655

Sioux Falls, most populous city in South Dakota.

Tennessee

  • Median household income: $67,097
  • Middle-class income range: $44,731 to $134,194
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $104,373

Kingsport, Tennessee.

Texas

  • Median household income: $76,292
  • Middle-class income range: $50,861 to $152,584
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $118,676

Aerial view of Austin, Texas.

Utah

  • Median household income: $91,750
  • Middle-class income range: $61,167 to $183,500
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $142,722

Downtown Salt Lake City skyline.

Vermont

  • Median household income: $78,024
  • Middle-class income range: $52,016 to $156,048
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $121,371

Autumn in Bennington, Vermont.

Virginia

  • Median household income: $90,974
  • Middle-class income range: [data missing]

Richmond Skyline Aerial View.

As we analyze these figures, it is evident that household income varies greatly across states. Understanding these dynamics is essential for grasping the economic conditions that families face nationwide.

Defining Middle-Class Earnings Across U.S. States

The definition of middle-class income varies significantly across states in the U.S. According to a study by GOBankingRates, the income ranges that classify households as middle-class and upper-middle class can differ widely. Here’s a breakdown of key findings from their analysis.

Alabama

  • Median household income: $53,627
  • Middle-class income range: $35,751 to $107,254
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $83,527

Washington

  • Median household income: $94,952
  • Middle-class income range: $63,301 to $189,904
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $147,703

West Virginia

  • Median household income: $57,917
  • Middle-class income range: $38,611 to $115,834
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $90,093

Wisconsin

  • Median household income: $75,670
  • Middle-class income range: $50,447 to $151,340
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $117,709

Wyoming

  • Median household income: $74,815
  • Middle-class income range: $49,877 to $149,630
  • Upper-middle class income begins: $116,379

Read More: Here’s How Much You Need To Earn To Be ‘Rich’ in Every State

Methodology: In this analysis, GOBankingRates examined each state to determine its middle-class income range. The data, including median household income and population statistics, was sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. GOBankingRates calculated middle-class income based on Pew Research’s definition, which considers households earning between two-thirds to double the median income. All information was collected as of January 29, 2025.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Line Between Middle Class and Upper-Middle Class in Every State

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.


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