How much money do you need to make to be considered middle class in your state?

Understanding what the middle class is crucial before it can be pinned down what people have to earn to be included in it.

In the 19th century, prominent sociologists like Karl Marx and Max Weber provided influential analyses of class structures, with Weber specifically highlighting the emergence of a “middle class” as a distinct social group. For marxists, the middle class is a part of the bourgeoisie, composed of affluent individuals who own and control the means of production, though this evolved into an idea of the petite bourgeoisie. These were people who had moved out of serfdom though had not reach the stata of the bourgeoisie.

The emergence of consumerism is important in this discussion, albeit seperate from understanding of class. Consuming now defines the middle class, shaping our society by being the aim of the procurement of money as well as keeping economies ticking over.

Many people believe themselves to be in the middle class even if they are not. A 2015 Pew Research Center servey suggested 89% of Americans believe themselves to be in the middle class. Further research argues the true figure is actually around 50%, down from 61% 50 years ago. Few want to admit they are actually working class and constant consumption provides the smokescreen to allow workers to feel they are not living paycheck to paychek.

The money your family needs to earn to be middle class in your state

GOBankingRates has used data from the 2019 census assuming that middle class is earnings between 67% and 200% of the national median income which was $68,703. This is following the methodology of the Pew Research Center.

Alabama: $54,111 to $161,524

Alaska: $69,727 to $208,140

Arizona: $55,092 to $164,454

Arkansas: $47,895 to $142,970

California: $66,091 to $197,288

Colorado: $71,100 to $212,240

Connecticut: $83,808 to $250,174

Delaware: $69,613 to $207,800

Florida: $54,322 to $162,154

Georgia: $56,850 to $169,702

Hawaii: $72,694 to $216,996

Idaho: $53,479 to $159,640

Illinois: $68,452 to $204,334

Indiana: $58,007 to $173,156

Iowa: $63,128 to $188,442

Kansas: $60,490 to $180,568

Kentucky: $53,873 to $160,814

Louisiana: $54,792 to $163,558

Maine: $62,685 to $187,120

Maryland: $83,621 to $249,614

Massachusetts: $87,939 to $262,504

Michigan: $62,640 to $186,984

Minnesota: $75,671 to $225,884

Mississippi: $46,144 to $137,742

Missouri: $59,308 to $177,038

Montana: $58,586 to $174,884

Nebraska: $62,752 to $187,320

Nevada: $55,281 to $165,018

New Hampshire: $80,950 to $241,642

New Jersey: $86,287 to $257,572

New Mexico: $45,526 to $135,898

New York: $70,331 to $209,944

North Carolina: $56,648 to $169,098

North Dakota: $69,738 to $208,174

Ohio: $61,094 to $182,370

Oklahoma: $51,015 to $152,284

Oregon: $63,013 to $188,100

Pennsylvania: $67,667 to $201,990

Rhode Island: $72,251 to $215,674

South Carolina: $54,252 to $161,946

South Dakota: $59,443 to $177,442

Tennessee: $54,118 to $161,546

Texas: $57,212 to $170,782

Utah: $60,663 to $181,084

Vermont: $66,453 to $198,368

Virginia: $73,000 to $217,910

Washington: $71,747 to $214,170

West Virginia: $51,654 to $154,192

Wisconsin: $66,791 to $199,376

Wyoming: $64,195.38 to $191,628

All these income ranges are based upon a four-person family.