2024 U.S. Middle Class Income Ranges by State and City

Middle class income range (big U.S. cities)

$52,000 - $155,000 annually.

Median household income (345 cities)

$77,345 → sets middle-class limits at $51,558 - $154,590.

New Jersey middle-class threshold

$64,224 - $192,692.

Maryland middle-class threshold

$63,321 - $189,966.

Massachusetts middle-class threshold

$62,986 - $188,958.

Hawaii middle-class threshold

$61,633 - $184,900.

California middle-class threshold

$61,028 - $183,084.

Mississippi middle-class threshold

$35,142 - $105,438.

West Virginia middle-class threshold

$36,216 - $108,658.

Louisiana middle-class threshold

$36,940 - $110,832.

Sunnyvale, CA middle-class income needs

$113,176 - $339,562.

Fremont, CA middle-class income needs

$101K+.

San Mateo, CA middle-class income needs

$101K+.

Santa Clara, CA middle-class income needs

$101K+.

Cost of living gap

Being middle class in Mississippi could mean earning just over $35K, while in Sunnyvale, CA, you'd need over $113K.

Middle-Class Income by State (2024)

SmartAsset defines middle class as households earning between two-thirds and double the median income in that area.

Average middle-class range for large U.S. cities

$52,000 - $155,000.

Median household income across surveyed cities

$77,345 → yielding overall mid-class thresholds of $51,558 - $154,590.

Sunnyvale, CA upper limit

$339,562.

Fremont, CA upper limit

$324,672.

San Mateo, CA upper limit

$318,550.

Santa Clara, CA upper limit

$317,228.

Bellevue, WA upper limit

$307,558.

Highlands Ranch, CO upper limit

$304,076.

Detroit, MI middle-class range

$24,299 - $72,906.