23 States Where You Need To Earn More Than $50K To Be Middle Class

For many Americans, some states are significantly more expensive to live in than others. Even what would be considered middle-class earnings in one state would not even come close in another.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the median annual wage for all workers in the United States in 2023 was $48,080, but in certain places, that wouldn't even make the middle class threshold. In some states, you must make significantly more to be considered middle class.

SmartAsset determined the middle-class income ranges for every U.S. state. Figure out where you stand financially before moving to one of these 23. There, you'll need to earn at least $50,000 to live a middle-class lifestyle.

Middle class income threshold: $50,515 - $151,560

Median household income: $75,780

Texas has seen rapid growth in cities like Austin and Dallas, increasing housing costs and property taxes. While the state is large, housing remains expensive.

Middle class income threshold: $50,904 - $152,728

Median household income: $76,364

Cities like Las Vegas and Reno have experienced population booms in recent years. That, combined with tourism-driven inflation, has pushed the lower bound on middle-class income to $50,904.

Middle class income threshold: $51,012 - $153,050

Median household income: $76,525

Although rural, North Dakota faces high utility and supply costs due to cold weather and isolation. Not to mention the increased cost of transportation due to the lack of public transit options. You need to earn at least $51,012 to be middle class.

Middle class income threshold: $51,538 - $154,630

Median household income: $77,315

Rapid population growth and housing demand in cities like Phoenix and Tucson have pushed up living costs. Much of the state is a desert, making living outside the major cities more difficult. Middle-class income starts at $51,538.

Middle class income threshold: $53,435 - $160,320

Median household income: $80,160

Popular cities like Portland have driven up housing and transportation prices, requiring a minimum of $53,435 to be middle class. Much of the state remains rural and sparsely populated, resulting in higher costs of city life due to increased demand.

Middle class income threshold: $53,532 - $160,612

Median household income: $80,306

Cost of living in big cities like Chicago, especially in housing and taxes, raises the bar for middle-class status to $53,532. Like many other states on this list, large metro areas are where the majority of the jobs and population are.

Middle class income threshold: $54,135 - $162,422

Median household income: $81,211

Heating costs, transportation costs, a rural housing shortage, and general cost-of-living inflation bring the lower middle-class bound in Vermont to $54,135. Given the rising costs of new home construction, a rural state like Vermont will likely continue to see prices rise.

Middle class income threshold: $54,235 - $162,722

Median household income: $81,361

Despite having no sales tax, Delaware's housing prices and location near major East Coast cities push the middle-class floor to $54,235.

Middle class income threshold: $54,725 - $164,190

Median household income: $82,095

Living in or near New York City drives up expenses across the board. You need to make at least $54,725 to be considered middle class in the state of New York.

Middle class income threshold: $56,642 - $169,944

Median household income: $84,972

High property taxes and coastal housing demand push Rhode Island's middle-class floor to $56,642. The state's tiny footprint also makes it hard to build housing, which is one of the main drivers of overall living costs.

Middle class income threshold: $56,718 - $170,172

Median household income: $85,086

The Twin Cities' high housing costs and heating costs in winter raise the middle-class threshold to $56,718. The rural parts of the state might have cheaper housing, but significantly higher heating and transportation costs as well.

Middle class income threshold: $57,748 - $173,262

Median household income: $86,631

Everything from groceries to fuel costs more in Alaska due to shipping and its remote location. Being middle class requires at least a $57,748 salary.

Middle class income threshold: $59,948 - $179,862

Median household income: $89,931

Proximity to Washington, D.C., and a competitive housing market push Virginia's middle-class entry point to $59,948.

Middle class income threshold: $61,104 - $183,330

Median household income: $91,665

Known for its high taxes and expensive suburbs, Connecticut requires a minimum of $61,104 to be considered middle class. The median household income also surpasses $90,000.

Middle class income threshold: $61,934 - $185,822

Median household income: $92,911

Denver and Boulder's rapid growth and rising housing prices could contribute to Colorado's lower bound on middle-class income, which comes in at $61,934. The state's new influx of residents may also result in a higher housing demand.

Middle class income threshold: $62,274 - $186,842

Median household income: $93,421

A red-hot housing market and rapid development across the Wasatch Front push Utah's middle-class floor to $62,274.

Middle class income threshold: $63,064 - $189,210

Median household income: $94,605

Seattle's tech boom and state taxes make Washington one of the costlier places to live, requiring an annual income of $63,064 to be middle class.

Middle class income threshold: $63,542 - $190,644

Median household income: $95,322

Almost everything is imported in Hawaii, and housing is extremely limited, which drives up costs. Middle-class life starts with an annual income of $63,542 away from the mainland.

Middle class income threshold: $63,674 - $191,042

Median household income: $95,521

California's sky-high housing, gas, and utility prices set the middle-class entry point at a $63,674 salary. The tech industry's growth has made living on the coast expensive, pushing more people inland.

Middle class income threshold: $64,552 - $193,676

Median household income: $96,838

Though there's no sales or income tax, high property taxes and heating bills raise New Hampshire's middle-class minimum to $64,552. Like Vermont, the remoteness, lack of housing, and lack of public transit all raise costs considerably.

Middle class income threshold: $65,779 - $197,356

Median household income: $98,678

Affluent D.C. suburbs and high living costs push Maryland's lower bound on middle-class income to $65,779.

Middle class income threshold: $66,514 - $199,562

Median household income: $99,781

With some of the nation's highest property taxes and NYC-adjacent housing prices, New Jersey's middle class starts at an income of $66,514.

Middle class income threshold: $66,565 - $199,716

Median household income: $99,858

Massachusetts tops the list due to the cost of housing in Boston and expensive health care. You need at least $66,565 to be considered middle class in The Bay State.

Finding the right state means finding a place where you can move beyond living paycheck to paycheck. The 23 states on this list have plenty of positive aspects, but there is a steep cost of living there, which can impact your financial fitness. 

You can still enjoy a nice middle-class life in other parts of the country, but states like Massachusetts and New Jersey are significantly more expensive.