In the United States, the term “middle class” implies living a comfortable and stable life – owning a home, having savings for retirement, occasionally going on vacation, buying a new car, or renovating a home. With inflation and varying standards of living across different regions, the definition of middle class varies in different cities in America.
According to the Pew Research Center, middle-class households have incomes ranging from two-thirds to twice the local median income. Across the country, the income range for the middle class varies from $51,813 to $155,438.
Analysis by the financial website SmartAsset based on the latest data from the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau shows that the upper income limit for middle-class families exceeds $100,000 in all 50 states.
According to a report by CNBC on June 14th, by Pew’s standards, San Jose, California is the city with the highest middle-class income among the largest cities in the United States. The median household income in the city is $136,229, nearly twice the national median of $77,719. This means that middle-class residents in San Jose have annual incomes ranging from $90,819 to $272,458.
Cities like San Jose and New York are economic hubs where high-paying jobs are highly concentrated in sectors such as technology, finance, and professional services, contributing to the higher median incomes in these cities. However, the higher incomes are often offset by high living costs, especially housing expenses.
An annual income of $100,000 has long been seen as a milestone, but in San Jose, earning $100,000 only places one at the lower end of the middle class.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau (adjusted to 2023 U.S. dollar levels for all incomes), here are the household income levels needed to be considered middle class in the 15 largest cities in the United States, ranked by median income from highest to lowest:
Lower limit of middle class: $90,819
Upper limit of middle class: $272,458
Median household income: $136,229
Lower limit of middle class: $70,520
Upper limit of middle class: $211,560
Median household income: $105,780
Lower limit of middle class: $61,001
Upper limit of middle class: $183,002
Median household income: $91,501
Lower limit of middle class: $53,721
Upper limit of middle class: $161,162
Median household income: $80,581
Lower limit of middle class: $53,134
Upper limit of middle class: $159,402
Median household income: $79,701
Lower limit of middle class: $53,109
Upper limit of middle class: $159,328
Median household income: $79,664
Lower limit of middle class: $51,388
Upper limit of middle class: $154,164
Median household income: $77,082
Lower limit of middle class: $51,051
Upper limit of middle class: $153,154
Median household income: $76,577
Lower limit of middle class: $49,649
Upper limit of middle class: $148,948
Median household income: $74,474
Lower limit of middle class: $46,747
Upper limit of middle class: $140,242
Median household income: $70,121
Lower limit of middle class: $45,379
Upper limit of middle class: $136,138
Median household income: $68,069
Lower limit of middle class: $41,758
Upper limit of middle class: $125,274
Median household income: $62,637
Lower limit of middle class: $41,567
Upper limit of middle class: $124,700
Median household income: $62,350
Lower limit of middle class: $41,548
Upper limit of middle class: $124,644
Median household income: $62,322
Lower limit of middle class: $40,201
Upper limit of middle class: $120,604
Median household income: $60,302