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What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?

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gorodenkoff / Getty Images/iStockphoto

What is considered middle class? It might take more money than you think to reach this income tier. The Pew Research Center defines middle class, or middle-income households, as those with incomes that are two-thirds to double the U.S. median household income.

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However, because the cost of living and average income varies so widely from state to state, the income needed to be "middle class" in one state could be much more or less than what it takes to be middle class in another. Using Pew's definition of middle class, GOBankingRates analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2018 American Community Survey to determine how much two-, three- and four-person families need to earn in every state to qualify for this classification.

Find out the states where it's easiest to be middle class.

Last updated: June 17, 2021

SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alabama

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $37,172.94 to $110,964

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $42,604.63 to $127,178

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $52,438.89 to $156,534

See: States Where It's Easiest To Go From Middle Class to Upper Class

filo / iStock.com
filo / iStock.com

Alaska

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $56,330.92 to $168,152

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $60,428.64 to $180,384

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $69,665.26 to $207,956

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $42,284.37 to $126,222

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $45,197.53 to $134,918

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $53,119.61 to $158,566

Read: 21 Tips To Climb the Career Ladder

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Arkansas

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $35,087.23 to $104,738

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $38,855.31 to $115,986

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $46,507.38 to $138,828

Read: 17 Biggest Budgeting Mistakes You’re Making

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adamkaz / Getty Images

California

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $50,117.34 to $149,604

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $54,870.99 to $163,794

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $62,647.68 to $187,008

Helpful: 19 Effective Ways To Tackle Your Budget

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Shutterstock.com

Colorado

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $51,695.19 to $154,314

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $57,772.76 to $172,456

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $67,509.20 to $201,520

Check Out: Best Cities To Retire on a Budget of $1,500 a Month

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Connecticut

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $56,695.40 to $169,240

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $66,263 to $197,800

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $80,839.52 to $241,312

Read: Tips To Keep Your Finances in Order Without Sacrificing What You Want

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Delaware

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $47,450.07 to $141,642

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $55,792.91 to $166,546

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $67,502.50 to $201,500

Related: 17 Dumb Home-Buying Mistakes That Hurt Your Wallet

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Florida

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $39,789.96 to $118,776

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $43,393.89 to $129,534

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $51,789.66 to $154,596

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Shutterstock.com

Georgia

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $40,845.21 to $121,926

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $46,002.20 to $137,320

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $53,740.03 to $160,418

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Art Wager / Getty Images
Art Wager / Getty Images

Hawaii

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $51,397.71 to $153,426

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $61,821.57 to $184,542

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $69,842.14 to $208,484

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Charles Knowles / Shutterstock.com
Charles Knowles / Shutterstock.com

Idaho

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $39,885.10 to $119,060

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $43,232.42 to $129,052

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $50,060.39 to $149,434

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Shutterstock.com

Illinois

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $47,116.41 to $140,646

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $54,310.87 to $162,122

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $65,412.77 to $195,262

Read: The Upper Class Has Taken Over These 50 Cities

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Purdue9394 / Getty Images

Indiana

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $40,695.80 to $121,480

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $47,411.21 to $141,526

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $55,750.03 to $166,418

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Davel5957 / Getty Images
Davel5957 / Getty Images

Iowa

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $44,792.18 to $133,708

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $51,367.56 to $153,336

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $61,254.08 to $182,848

Read: 25 Tips for Saving Money With Your Spouse

Davel5957 / iStock.com
Davel5957 / iStock.com

Kansas

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $44,103.42 to $131,652

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $50,075.80 to $149,480

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $58,316.13 to $174,078

Helpful: 16 Effective Ways To Trick Yourself Into Saving Money

Davel5957 / iStock.com
Davel5957 / iStock.com

Kentucky

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $36,106.97 to $107,782

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $42,429.09 to $126,654

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $52,059 to $155,400

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Jorg Hackermann / Shutterstock.com
Jorg Hackermann / Shutterstock.com

Louisiana

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $36,315.34 to $108,404

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $42,047.19 to $125,514

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $53,242.89 to $158,934

Keep Reading: 25 Ways To Save 20% More of Your Paycheck Without Even Trying

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Shutterstock.com

Maine

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $42,119.55 to $125,730

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $50,917.32 to $151,992

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $60,412.56 to $180,336

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Melpomenem / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maryland

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $58,147.96 to $173,576

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $68,045.87 to $203,122

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $80,429.48 to $240,088

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Shutterstock.com

Massachusetts

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $54,438.17 to $162,502

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $68,368.81 to $204,086

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $83,974.45 to $250,670

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RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images

Michigan

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $41,073.68 to $122,608

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $49,233.61 to $146,966

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $60,088.28 to $179,368

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YinYang / iStock.com

Minnesota

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $50,252.01 to $150,006

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $60,824.61 to $181,566

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $72,837.71 to $217,426

Read: 35 Cities Where You Can Afford To Live on Less Than $50,000

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Mississippi

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $33,585.09 to $100,254

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $36,874.79 to $110,074

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $44,646.79 to $133,274

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Josh_Weinstock / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Missouri

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $40,137.02 to $119,812

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $47,224.28 to $140,968

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $56,973.45 to $170,070

Read: 20 Hobbies of the Rich Only They Can Afford

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Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com

Montana

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $41,358.43 to $123,458

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $47,905.67 to $143,002

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $57,155.02 to $170,612

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benkrut / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Nebraska

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $45,617.62 to $136,172

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $51,282.47 to $153,082

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $60,474.87 to $180,522

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LPETTET / Getty Images

Nevada

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $42,436.46 to $126,676

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $46,585.10 to $139,060

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $52,754.46 to $157,476

Check Out: The Living Wage You Need in All 50 States

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Hampshire

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $51,969.89 to $155,134

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $63,278.82 to $188,892

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $77,816.48 to $232,288

See: 42 Easy Ways To Save For Retirement

hanusst / Getty Images/iStockphoto
hanusst / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Jersey

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $54,144.71 to $161,626

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $67,765.81 to $202,286

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $82,698.10 to $246,860

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DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

New Mexico

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $38,553.14 to $115,084

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $38,622.15 to $115,290

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $43,667.92 to $130,352

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frankpeters / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New York

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $46,597.83 to $139,098

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $55,155.74 to $164,644

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $67,252.59 to $200,754

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Shutterstock.com

North Carolina

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $39,766.51 to $118,706

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $44,938.24 to $134,144

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $54,094.46 to $161,476

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

North Dakota

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $50,524.70 to $150,820

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $56,369.11 to $168,266

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $67,521.93 to $201,558

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traveler1116 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ohio

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $41,263.96 to $123,176

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $48,556.91 to $144,946

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $58,955.98 to $175,988

Read: 19 Things You’ll Need To Sacrifice Now for a Healthy Retirement

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Shutterstock.com

Oklahoma

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $39,604.37 to $118,222

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $43,061.57 to $128,542

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $49,231.60 to $146,960

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zhudifeng / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Oregon

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $44,341.27 to $132,362

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $50,984.32 to $152,192

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $59,710.40 to $178,240

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Pgiam / iStock.com

Pennsylvania

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $43,328.90 to $129,340

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $53,888.10 to $160,860

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $64,841.26 to $193,556

Related: How Much You Need To Be in the Top 5% in Every State

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SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com

Rhode Island

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $48,213.20 to $143,920

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $55,043.85 to $164,310

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $69,286.71 to $206,826

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Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

South Carolina

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $39,337.04 to $117,424

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $42,692.40 to $127,440

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $51,590 to $154,000

Read: Why It’s Harder To Save For Retirement Today Than 50 Years Ago

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

South Dakota

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $44,333.90 to $132,340

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $49,529.08 to $147,848

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $57,928.87 to $172,922

See: 10 Signs You’re Not Saving Enough for Retirement

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Tennessee

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $38,167.22 to $113,932

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $43,790.53 to $130,718

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $51,220.83 to $152,898

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Shutterstock.com

Texas

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $43,321.53 to $129,318

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $47,581.39 to $142,034

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $54,994.94 to $164,164

Look: How Far a $100,000 Salary Goes in America’s 50 Largest Cities

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AndreyKrav / iStock.com

Utah

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $44,442.44 to $132,664

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $51,330.71 to $153,226

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $57,409.62 to $171,372

Read More: Is Now a Good Time To Raid Your 401(k)?

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Vermont

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $46,184.44 to $137,864

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $54,231.14 to $161,884

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $63,166.26 to $188,556

Find Out: What Social Security Will Look Like in 2035

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SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com

Virginia

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $51,174.60 to $152,760

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $59,441.06 to $177,436

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $70,116.84 to $209,304

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SEASTOCK / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Washington

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $51,331.38 to $153,228

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $58,312.78 to $174,068

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $68,185.23 to $203,538

Read: 10 Simple Habits of Money-Smart Individuals

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Shutterstock.com

West Virginia

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $34,203.50 to $102,100

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $41,735.64 to $124,584

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $49,760.90 to $148,540

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Ron_Thomas / iStock.com

Wisconsin

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $44,306.43 to $132,258

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $53,190.63 to $158,778

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $64,167.91 to $191,546

Discover: Most Affordable Places To Retire Near You

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wyoming

  • 2-person family middle-class income range: $47,764.30 to $142,580

  • 3-person family middle-class income range: $53,187.95 to $158,770

  • 4-person family middle-class income range: $61,159.61 to $182,566

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Cynthia Measom contributed to the reporting of this article.

Methodology: GOBankingRates found how much the middle class earns in every state by analyzing the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey data to determine how much a two-, three- and four-person middle-class family earns. Pew Research Center defines middle class as making two-thirds (67%) to double (200%) the national median income. For this study, GOBankingRates assumed that a middle-class family earns two-thirds to double the median income for a family of its size in its state. In order to find out how much a middle-class family is earning, GOBankingRates multiplied each median income by 0.67 for the lower limit and by 2 for the upper limit. Data is accurate as of June 22, 2020.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?