What Defines Middle-Class Income Across US Regions: Regional Breakdown and Income Thresholds

When evaluating whether you’re truly middle class, the national median household income of $78,770 provides only a baseline. The reality is far more nuanced—your actual middle-class status depends heavily on your location. Different regions across the United States have significantly different income requirements, driven by varying housing costs, local wages, taxes, and job market dynamics.

Recent analysis from GOBankingRates examined this regional divide by calculating middle-class income ranges for every U.S. region, using the Pew Research Center’s definition: income levels between two-thirds and double the area’s median. Here’s what the data reveals about middle-class thresholds in each region.

The Northeast: Highest Income Threshold

The Northeast stands out as the region with the highest middle-class income requirements. This region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

In the Northeast, the median household income is $87,623, the highest among all regions. The middle-class income range spans from $58,415 at the lower end to $175,246 at the upper end. This elevated threshold reflects the region’s strong job markets, particularly in finance, technology, and professional services. For New York City residents specifically, the NYC median income typically exceeds these regional averages, pushing the baseline for middle-class status even higher in that major metropolitan area.

The West: Balanced but Elevated Income Range

The Western states—including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming—show the second-highest income requirements for middle-class status.

With a regional median household income of $82,886, the West’s middle-class income range extends from $55,257 to $165,772. The variation within this region is substantial, with states like California pushing averages higher due to tech industry hubs, while other states maintain lower thresholds.

The Midwest: More Accessible Middle-Class Status

The Midwest comprises Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. This region presents more accessible middle-class income thresholds.

The Midwest’s median household income stands at $74,489, with middle-class income ranging from $49,659 to $148,978. The lower entry point makes it easier for workers in this region to achieve middle-class standing compared to the Northeast or West.

The South: The Lowest Income Requirements

The South, encompassing Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, has the lowest middle-class income requirements.

The region’s median household income is $72,231, with middle-class income ranging from $48,154 to $144,462. This makes the South the most accessible region for achieving middle-class status based on income alone, though other factors like cost of living and opportunity remain important considerations.

Understanding the Methodology

The analysis used the 2023 American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau to establish each state’s median household income. Regional middle-class thresholds were then calculated by averaging the income ranges of states within each U.S. Census Bureau-defined region. All figures are current as of June 2025.

The significant variation in middle-class income thresholds across regions underscores an important reality: where you live matters as much as how much you earn when determining your socioeconomic status.