How much money you need to make to be middle class in the 10 biggest U.S. metro areas
If you’re middle class in the U.S., that typically means you make between two-thirds and double the median household income. Still, that looks different depending on where you live.
If you live in the San Francisco metro area, making between $85k and a quarter-million dollars a year means you’re middle class. Yes, that’s right. Earning a quarter-million still makes you middle class in San Francisco.
In the San Antonio metro area, it means making between $47k and $141k.
Take a look at what it takes to be middle class in the 10 most populous metro areas in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Phoenix
If you live in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, Arizona metro area, you need to make between $55k and $166k to be considered middle class.
Miami
If you live in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, Florida metro area, you need to make between $47k and $142k to be considered middle class.
Philadelphia
If you live in the Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington metro area, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, you need to make between $56k and $168k to be considered middle class.
If you live in the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria metro area, in DC, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, you need to make between $78k and $235k to be considered middle class.
Atlanta
If you live in the Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, Georgia metro area, you need to make between $57k and $170k to be considered middle class.
Houston
If you live in the Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, Texas metro area, you need to make between $50k and $150k to be considered middle class.
Dallas-Fort Worth
If you live in the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, Texas metro area, you need to make between $55k and $166k to be considered middle class.
Chicago
If you live in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro area, in Illinois and Indiana, you need to make between $55k and $166k to be considered middle class.
Los Angeles
If you live in the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, California metro area, you need to make between $58k and $175k to be considered middle class.
New York City
If you live in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area, in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, you need to make between $61k and $183k to be considered middle class.