In the United States, a six-figure household income no longer guarantees wealth. In fact, in numerous states, such an income merely classifies you as middle class. According to a recent analysis from SmartAsset based on 2023 income data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the upper threshold of what defines the middle class surpasses $100,000 in every state.

The report utilizes Pew Research's criteria for defining middle class: earnings that fall between two-thirds and double the median household income in a given state. Massachusetts leads the pack, where a family needs an income between $66,565 and a staggering $199,716 to be considered middle class. This upper limit has increased by almost $11,000 from the previous year.

The Rising Cost of Living: A Middle-Class Squeeze

Even with the rise of six-figure salaries, many middle-class families are feeling financial pressure. Inflation-adjusted wages may have increased since 2022, but this has been largely neutralized by soaring living costs that have followed the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key expenses, especially housing and food, have surged dramatically. From January 2020 to December 2024, the Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index indicates home prices rose by 52%, while food costs jumped by 30%. This comes amid a general inflation rate increase of 25%.

A concerning survey conducted by the National True Cost of Living Coalition revealed that two-thirds of middle-class Americans reported financial struggles and a lack of optimism regarding their financial situation in the upcoming year.

Despite recent fluctuations showing year-over-year inflation remaining at around 3%—above the Federal Reserve's target but significantly lower than its June 2022 peak of 9.1%—the cumulative impact has reduced the financial power of many Americans. Thus, a six-figure salary may not stretch as far as it once did.

What Does Middle Class Look Like in Your State?

Here's a glimpse into what classifications of middle class income look like across all 50 states:

- **Alabama**: $41,471 - $124,424 (Median: $62,212) - **California**: $63,674 - $191,042 (Median: $95,521) - **New York**: $54,725 - $164,190 (Median: $82,095) - **Texas**: $50,515 - $151,560 (Median: $75,780) - **Florida**: $48,869 - $146,622 (Median: $73,311) - **Massachusetts**: $66,565 - $199,716 (Median: $99,858)