# How Much Does the American Middle-Class Dream Cost in 2025? Here Comes the Heartbreaking Data.

Want to live a middle-class life in the United States? The once popular "house + savings + vacation" package is now soaring in price.

According to the latest census data, **the entry ticket for the middle class in major cities has risen to an annual income of $49,000 - $71,000** (last year it was $48,000 - $71,000). State-level figures are even more exaggerated:

**Wealth disparity is obvious:**
- Most expensive place: Arlington (Virginia), an annual income of $93,000 to $280,000 is considered middle class.
- The three giants of Silicon Valley are not to be outdone: San Jose, Irvine, and San Francisco all earn between 85,000 to 270,000 annually.
- The cheapest? An annual income of $25,000 to $76,000 in Detroit is enough.

**State Ranking:**
The highest median income is in Massachusetts ($67,000 - $200,000), while the lowest is in Mississippi ($36,000 - $108,000).

**Summary in one sentence:** In the Bay Area of California, an annual income of $250,000 might still be considered "middle class," while the same amount of money can lead to a very comfortable life back in the Midwest. The pricing power of the American Dream is being redefined by housing prices and regional economies.