30 Cities Where Paychecks Are Shrinking — And Growing — The Fastest
Roughly half of all Americans live in the middle class, according to a 2021 study by the Pew Research Center, yet even the middle class has significantly shrunk — around 11% since 1971. And while the upper-earning income class has grown, so has the lower class, with an ever-widening income gap showing how tough times are for many.
Additionally, the term “middle income” varies drastically depending on where you live. A good median household income can be whittled away by factors like home prices, high living costs and taxes. At the same time, in some areas of the country, incomes are rising faster than costs — which is no small feat in these high inflationary days. In other metros, however, slow — or even negative — income growth contributes to an entire region’s struggles.
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To find the metros where paychecks are shrinking and growing, GOBankingRates analyzed year-to-year income changes from 2021 to 2022 for America’s 200 largest metro areas, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Consumer Survey. We identified the 15 metro areas where incomes have increased the most and the 15 areas where incomes have increased the least. In the areas that are shrinking, Texas and Pennsylvania both made multiple appearances. While in the areas that are growing, California and Georgia showed up the most.
Metro Areas Where Incomes Are Shrinking
In the following 15 regions, paychecks are showing a pattern of shrinking.
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Bardstown, Kentucky
2021 median income: $49,298
2022 median income: $47,654
Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.33%
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Makakilo, Hawaii
2021 median income: $119,449
2022 median income: $115,435
Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.36%
Brenham, Texas
2021 median income: $54,536
2022 median income: $52,664
Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.43%
Hazleton, Pennsylvania
2021 median income: $40,782
2022 median income: $39,362
Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.48%
Marion, Arkansas
2021 median income: $80,170
2022 median income: $77,350
Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.52%
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Pascagoula, Mississippi
2021 median income: $43,243
2022 median income: $41,679
Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.62%
Sierra Vista Southeast, Arizona
2021 median income: $70,580
2022 median income: $67,893
Percent change in year-over-year income: -3.81%
Blacksburg, Virginia
2021 median income: $43,804
2022 median income: $42,012
Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.09%
Fullerton, Pennsylvania
2021 median income: $66,345
2022 median income: $63,423
Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.40%
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Happy Valley, Oregon
2021 median income: $131,980
2022 median income: $126,108
Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.45%
Adelphi, Maryland
2021 median income: $71,622
2022 median income: $68,396
Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.50%
Channelview, Texas
2021 median income: $67,268
2022 median income: $64,011
Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.84%
Ruston, Louisiana
2021 median income: $34,554
2022 median income: $32,877
Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.85%
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Stephenville, Texas
2021 median income: $50,552
2022 median income: $48,088
Percent change in year-over-year income: -4.87%
West Freehold, New Jersey
2021 median income: $137,819
2022 median income: $117,108
Percent change in year-over-year income: -15.03%
Metro Areas Where Incomes Are Growing Fast
In these 15 metros, income rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, with the fastest-growing areas experiencing massive year-over-year increases in earnings.
Melville, New York
2021 median income: $117,472
2022 median income: $146,302
Percent change in year-over-year income: 24.54%
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Candler-McAfee, Georgia
2021 median income: $46,217
2022 median income: $57,633
Percent change in year-over-year income: 24.70%
Buford, Georgia
2021 median income: $54,321
2022 median income: $68,165
Percent change in year-over-year income: 25.49%
Cedar Mill, Oregon
2021 median income: $131,367
2022 median income: $165,184
Percent change in year-over-year income: 25.74%
Spencer, Iowa
2021 median income: $45,313
2022 median income: $57,175
Percent change in year-over-year income: 26.18%
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East Massapequa, New York
2021 median income: $109,419
2022 median income:$138,613
Percent change in year-over-year income: 26.68%
Dunkirk, New York
2021 median income: $36,901
2022 median income: $46,800
Percent change in year-over-year income: 26.83%
Ramona, California
2021 median income: $82,079
2022 median income: $104,649
Percent change in year-over-year income: 27.50%
Belle Glade, Florida
2021 median income: $32,963
2022 median income: $42,314
Percent change in year-over-year income: 28.37%
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Coachella, California
2021 median income: $40,688
2022 median income: $52,466
Percent change in year-over-year income: 28.95%
Pullman, Washington
2021 median income: $31,992
2022 median income: $41,479
Percent change in year-over-year income: 29.65%
Sunland Park, New Mexico
2021 median income: $34,639
2022 median income: $45,545
Percent change in year-over-year income: 31.48%
Carpinteria, California
2021 median income: $78,349
2022 median income: $103,879
Percent change in year-over-year income: 32.58%
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Greenwood, Mississippi
2021 median income: $28,221
2022 median income: $37,718
Percent change in year-over-year income: 33.65%
Calhoun, Georgia
2021 median income: $39,578
2022 median income: $54,927
Percent change in year-over-year income: 38.78%
Andrew Lisa contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: To find the 30 cities where paychecks are shrinking and growing, GOBankingRates analyzed U.S. cities across factors, including (1) total households (minimum 5,000), (2) 2022 median income and (3) 2021 median income as sourced from U.S. Census American Consumer Survey. Using these factors, the year over year change in dollar amounts and percentages was found. The cities can be sorted to show the U.S. cities where the paychecks are growing the most from 2021 to 2022 and falling the most from 2021 to 2022. All data was up to date as of Feb. 27, 2024.
Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the locations listed in this article.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 30 Cities Where Paychecks Are Shrinking — And Growing — The Fastest
