AnswerIn 2026, a middle-class US household earns roughly $55,100 to $164,600, bracketing the national median of $82,300. State medians range from $55,400 (Mississippi) to $110,500 (District of Columbia).
National middle-class range: $55,100 – $164,600
Source: US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-Year Estimates · Pew Research Center methodology
Middle Class Income by State (2026)
What it takes to count as middle class in every US state — anchored to each state's ACS 2024 median household income and the Pew Research Center's 0.67×-to-2× framework. Pick your state below to see the local middle-class range.
AI engineer building pSEO financial tools. Data sourced from the Federal Reserve (SCF), US Census Bureau (ACS), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The Pew Research Center defines middle-class households as those earning two-thirds (0.67×) to double (2×) the median household income. Applied to the 2024 US median of $82,300, the national middle-class range is $55,100 to $164,600. Because state medians differ — Mississippi's is roughly half of Maryland's — the right benchmark for “am I middle class?” is your state (or city), not the national figure.
US national middle-class numbers (2026)
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-Year Estimates, Table B19013. Bounds use Pew Research Center methodology.
Highest median income
All 50 states + DC, by region
Northeast(9 states)
Midwest(12 states)
South(17 states)
West(13 states)
Go deeper
- What Is Middle Class Income in 2026? — full guidedefinition, history, the 0.67×-to-2× framework explained
- Am I Middle Class? — interactive calculatorwith household-size adjustment
- Income Percentile by City — hubhyper-local benchmarks for major US cities
Methodology & data sources
Calculations on this page use published benchmarks from US federal statistical agencies. Percentile breakpoints are interpolated linearly between published cells. Figures are in current-year USD unless noted. Numbers are educational estimates, not personalized financial advice.