What's Your Real Income Bracket? See Where You Stand Across America's States

Think you know your financial tier? Many Americans are actually earning upper middle class income without realizing it. The difference between middle class and upper middle class depends heavily on where you live—and your state makes a bigger difference than you might expect.

How States Define Middle Class

Using PewResearch’s framework—defined as earning between two-thirds and double the median household income—each state’s middle class bracket looks remarkably different. What qualifies as upper middle class in one state might be squarely middle class in another.

The methodology behind this analysis draws from US Census American Community Survey data, calculating middle-class ranges for all 50 states based on median household income, total population, and household numbers. All figures are current as of early 2025.

The Divide: Where Upper Middle Class Begins

High-Income States: States like Maryland ($101,652 median household income) and Massachusetts ($101,341) set their upper middle class threshold around $157,000-$158,000 annually. Hawaii ($98,317 median) pushes that marker to $152,938, while Connecticut rounds out the Northeast with an upper middle class starting point of $145,849.

Mid-Range States: Colorado ($92,470 median) shows upper middle class begins at $143,842, while Minnesota ($87,556) draws the line at $136,198. These states represent the transition zone where regional prosperity affects classification significantly.

Washington State Upper Middle Class Income: In Washington, with a median household income of $94,952, the middle-class income range spans from $63,301 to $189,904. Upper middle class income in Washington State begins at $147,703—positioning the Pacific Northwest competitively among higher-earning regions.

Lower-Income States: Mississippi sets the lowest upper middle class threshold at $85,423, while West Virginia marks the line at $90,093. These states show how cost of living dramatically reshapes financial classification.

Your State’s Breakdown

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic Leaders: New Jersey follows the high-income pattern with upper middle class starting at $157,189, while New York’s marker sits at $131,566. Delaware and Pennsylvania fall in the $118,000-$128,000 range.

Southern States: Texas (upper middle class begins $118,676), Florida ($111,550), and Georgia ($116,144) show the South’s diversity. Louisiana ($93,369) and Arkansas ($91,425) represent the lower-threshold end of the spectrum.

Mountain & Western States: Arizona ($119,579), Utah ($142,722), and Nevada ($117,539) reflect varied economic conditions. North Dakota ($118,143) and Wyoming ($116,379) round out the middle tier.

Midwest Patterns: Illinois ($127,092), Wisconsin ($117,709), and Kansas ($112,994) cluster in the $112,000-$127,000 range, while Iowa ($113,784) and Missouri ($107,209) sit slightly below.

What This Means for Your Finances

If you’re earning above your state’s upper middle class threshold, you’re likely not maximizing opportunities aligned with that status. Similarly, if you’re just below the line, strategic income growth or relocation could shift your classification significantly.

The data reveals that geography isn’t just about lifestyle—it fundamentally redefines what “upper middle class” means. A $140,000 salary represents upper middle class in most states but barely enters that category in Massachusetts or Maryland.

Understanding where you fall within your state’s income structure helps clarify your actual financial position versus your perceived one. Many earners discover they’re further up the income ladder than they realized—and with that knowledge comes opportunities for wealth-building strategies tailored to their true financial tier.