Here's how much money you need to make to be middle-class in every US state

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? 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.