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You need to make this much to be considered ‘middle class’ in these cities

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(NEXSTAR) — What does it mean to be “middle class” anymore? The definition can be confusing — and it changes depending on where you live and how many people are in your household.

In a study published in 2022, Pew Research Center defined “middle-income” adults as “adults in 2021 with an annual household income that was two-thirds to double the national median income in 2020, after incomes have been adjusted for household size.”

Pew explains that a middle income equals an annual household income of $52,000 to $156,000 for a family of three, based on 2020 dollars. These numbers are obviously not adjusted for inflation since then.

Adjusted for inflation, using this CPI inflation calculator, annual household income to be classified as middle class would start around $60,000. And Pew reports that while the middle class has famously decreased significantly over time, it “held steady” in 2021.

But how far does a middle class income go?

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, CNBC compiled the annual household incomes needed to be considered middle class in 20 of the U.S.’ populous metros.

AreaLow-end middle classHigh-end middle class
New York, NY
Newark, NJ
Jersey City, NJ
$56,000$169,000
Los Angeles, CA
Long Beach, CA
Anaheim, CA
$55,000$165,000
Chicago, IL
Naperville, IL
Elgin, IL
$52,000$156,000
Dallas, TX
Fort Worth, TX
Arlington, TX
$51,000$152,000
Houston, TX
The Woodlands, TX
Sugar Land, TX
$47,000$142,000
Washington, D.C.
Arlington, VA
Alexandria, VA
$74,000$221,000
Philadelphia, PA
Camden, NJ
Wilmington, Delaware
$53,000$160,000
Miami, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
$43,000$128,000
Atlanta, GA
Sandy Springs, GA
Alpharetta, GA
$52,000$155,00
Boston, MA
Cambridge, MA
Newton, NH
$67,000$202,000
Phoenix, AZ
Mesa, AZ
Chandler, AZ
$50,000$151,000
San Francisco, CA
Oakland, CA
Berkeley, CA
$77,000$232,000
Riverside, CA
San Bernardino, CA
Ontario, CA
$51,000$154,000
Detroit, MI
Warren, MI
Dearborn, MI
$45,000$134,000
Seattle, WA
Tacoma, WA
Bellevue, WA
$68,000$203,000
Minneapolis, MN
St. Paul, MN
Bloomington, WI
$58,000$175,000
San Diego, CA
Chula Vista, CA
Carlsbad, CA
$61,000$182,000
Tampa, FL
St. Petersburg, FL
Clearwater, FL
$42,000$126,000
Denver, CO
Aurora, CO
Lakewood, CO
$60,000$181,000
Baltimore, MD
Columbia, MD
Towson, MD
$58,000$173,000
(Information from U.S. Census Bureau via Gabriel Cortes/CNBC)

While these income ranges vary widely and are still technically considered “middle class,” the U.S. Census Bureau says the median U.S. household income in 2021 was $70,784. And while a 2022 Gallup poll indicated 52% of U.S. adults consider themselves middle class — 38% identified themselves as “middle class,” while 14% identified as “upper-middle class” — Gallup also explains that since the Great Recession, Americans are more likely to identify as “working” or “lower” class.

According to Gallup, 35% of those polled said they considered themselves “working class,” while 11% called themselves “lower class.” The poll acknowledges that some people may consider “working class” and “middle class” to mean the same thing, since these definitions are flexible.

Curious where you fall? Pew Research Center’s Are You in the Middle Class? calculator can give you close estimate. And if you’re wondering how far your dollars will stretch if you relocate, Forbes’ Cost of Living Calculator can help you figure out how much you need to maintain your standard of living in a new area.

U.S.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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