What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?

gradyreese / Getty Images
gradyreese / Getty Images

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.

Explore: Here's How Much You Need To Earn To Be 'Rich' in 23 Major Countries Around the World
Be Prepared:
30 Greatest Threats to Your Retirement

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.

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
Billionaires vs. Middle-Class America: Who Pays More in Taxes?

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

adamkaz / Getty Images
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

Shutterstock.com
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
Don't Miss: These 47 Billionaires Got Richer During the Pandemic

Shutterstock.com
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
Try: 50 Easy Things You Should Do To Save Money

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
Stop Now: 50 Terrible Ways To Try and Save Money

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
Find Out: Things To Cut Out Right Now To Save Money During the Health Crisis

Shutterstock.com
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

Purdue9394 / Getty Images
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
Options: 16 Ways To Save Money on Food

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
Good To Know: 16 Splurges That Save You Money in the Long Run

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

Shutterstock.com
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
Try: Cutting Out These 25 Expenses Will Save You $16,142.08 a Year

Melpomenem / Getty Images/iStockphoto
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
Learn More: Surprising Ways Gen Z and Millennials Are Worlds Apart Financially

Shutterstock.com
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
Exclusive: Americans' Savings Drop to Lowest Point in Years

RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images
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
Whoa: 9 Successful Money-Making 'Schemes' That Are Actually Legal

YinYang / iStock.com
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
Rich vs. Wealthy: What's the Difference Between the Two?

Josh_Weinstock / Getty Images/iStockphoto
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

Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com
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
Find Out: 31 Dumb Things That Are Keeping You From Being Wealthy

benkrut / Getty Images/iStockphoto
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
See: Do You Think the Minimum Wage Should Be $15? Take Our Poll

LPETTET / Getty Images
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
Take Action: Do These 13 Things To Boost Your Retirement Savings Now

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
Are High-Yield Savings Accounts Worth It? Here's Everything You Need To Know

frankpeters / Getty Images/iStockphoto
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
Stuck Inside? The Most and Least Expensive States To Work From Home

Shutterstock.com
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
Learn: What Is a Savings Bond and How Does It Work?

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
Avoid: 35 Retirement Planning Mistakes That Waste Your Money

traveler1116 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
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

Shutterstock.com
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
Check Out: Here's How To Retire Early and Quit the Daily Grind

zhudifeng / Getty Images/iStockphoto
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
Start Cutting Costs: How To Save Money on All Your Monthly Expenses and Bills

Pgiam / iStock.com
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

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com
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
More Tips: 20 Ways To Save Money Fast

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
Watch Out: 15 Retirement Mistakes and Why They'll Shrink Your Nest Egg

Shutterstock.com
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

AndreyKrav / iStock.com
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

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com
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
Take a Look: 20 Geeky Collectibles That Could Make You Millions

SEASTOCK / Getty Images/iStockphoto
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

Shutterstock.com
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
Take a Look: These Once-Hot Housing Markets Are Cooling Off

Ron_Thomas / iStock.com
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
More From GOBankingRatesSocial Security Schedule: When the First COLA Checks Will Arrive in January 2022
21 Items That Are Always Cheaper at Costco
5 Easy Things You Can Do To Start Preparing For Retirement Now
Should You Refinance Now With the Low Mortgage Rates?
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?

Advertisement