AnswerIn 2026, a middle-class US household earns roughly $54,700 to $163,200, bracketing the national median of $81,600. State medians range from $59,100 (Mississippi) to $109,700 (District of Columbia).
National middle-class range: $54,700 – $163,200
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.
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 $81,600, the national middle-class range is $54,700 to $163,200. 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.