The United States is one of the most diverse and wealthiest nations in the world. The country has one of the highest GDP Per capita of approximately $89,680, which ranks it among the top richest countries globally. However, there is a significant disparity between households income levels across different U.S. states. According to gobankingrates, Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts have the highest household incomes, while states such as Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas have the lowest household incomes.
The cost of living, job opportunities, and local economies all affect how much a person needs to earn to be considered middle or upper-middle class in each U.S. state. GOBankingRates has defined the median household income and the income threshold required to be classified as upper-middle class in each U.S. state.
Upper Middle-Class Income Threshold in Each U.S. State
The table below presents the median household income alongside the income required to attain Upper Middle-Class status in each U.S. state.
| Serial | State | Median Household Income | Upper Middle Class Household Income Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | $59,609 | $103,322 |
| 2 | Alaska | $86,370 | $149,708 |
| 3 | Arizona | $72,581 | $125,807 |
| 4 | Arkansas | $56,335 | $97,647 |
| 5 | California | $91,905 | $159,302 |
| 6 | Colorado | $87,598 | $151,837 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $90,213 | $156,369 |
| 8 | Delaware | $79,325 | $137,497 |
| 9 | Florida | $67,917 | $117,723 |
| 10 | Georgia | $71,355 | $123,682 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $94,814 | $164,344 |
| 12 | Idaho | $70,214 | $121,704 |
| 13 | Illinois | $78,433 | $135,951 |
| 14 | Indiana | $67,173 | $116,433 |
| 15 | Iowa | $70,571 | $122,323 |
| 16 | Kansas | $69,747 | $120,895 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $60,183 | $104,317 |
| 18 | Louisiana | $57,852 | $100,277 |
| 19 | Maine | $68,251 | $118,302 |
| 20 | Maryland | $98,461 | $170,666 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $96,505 | $167,275 |
| 22 | Michigan | $68,505 | $118,742 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $84,313 | $146,143 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $52,985 | $91,841 |
| 25 | Missouri | $65,920 | $114,261 |
| 26 | Montana | $66,341 | $114,991 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $71,722 | $124,318 |
| 28 | Nevada | $71,646 | $124,186 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | $90,845 | $157,465 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $97,126 | $168,352 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $58,722 | $101,785 |
| 32 | New York | $81,386 | $141,069 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $66,186 | $114,722 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $73,959 | $128,196 |
| 35 | Ohio | $66,990 | $116,116 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $61,364 | $106,364 |
| 37 | Oregon | $76,632 | $132,829 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | $73,170 | $126,828 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | $81,370 | $141,041 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $63,623 | $110,280 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $69,457 | $120,392 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $64,035 | $110,994 |
| 43 | Texas | $73,035 | $126,594 |
| 44 | Utah | $86,833 | $150,511 |
| 45 | Vermont | $74,014 | $128,291 |
| 46 | Virginia | $87,249 | $151,232 |
| 47 | Washington | $90,325 | $156,563 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $55,217 | $95,709 |
| 49 | Wisconsin | $72,458 | $125,594 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $72,495 | $125,658 |
The data is sourced from the gobankingrates.
The data clearly demonstrates that household income in the United States varies significantly across states. States like Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts show how high living costs and thriving industries drive up both median incomes and upper middle-class thresholds. On the other hand, states such as Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas have a much lower cost of living and consequently lower income thresholds.
One interesting observation is that New York, despite being one of the most well-known and populous states, has a median household income of $81,386—much lower than states like California and Maryland. However, its upper middle-class threshold of $141,069 still ranks fairly high.
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Top 5 States with the Highest Uppar Middle Class Income Threshold
1. Maryland. Maryland has the highest median household income in the United States at $98,461. This figure shows the potential of earning high income in this state. To be ranked as upper-middle class in Maryland, one should have an annual income of about $170,666. This threshold reflects the state’s higher cost of living and economic conditions.
2. New Jersey: The median income in New Jersey is $97,126. Like Maryland, the upper middle class threshold in New Jersey is also high at $168,352. This shows that both states are economic powerhouses in the U.S. with considerable earning potentials and high cost of living.
3. Massachusetts: The median income in Massachusetts is $96,505. The upper middle class threshold in Massachusetts is $167,275. The high median income in Massachusetts is due its strong economy, which is driven by education, professional services, and business. Additionally, the state’s highest paying industries include financial services, internet publishing, and prefab wood building.
4. Hawaii: To be upper middle class in Hawaii, it requires $164,344. The state has very high cost of living, particularly when it comes to housing, food, and transportation. high median income in Hawaii is driven by its large public sector workforce, a high concentration of tourism-related jobs, and relatively high level of education attainment among its residents. However, the cost of living in the state is also significantly high compared to the national average.
5. California: California ranks third in the United States, with a median household income of $ 91,905. The state has the high upper-middle-class income threshold at $159,302. This is due to the high cost of living in major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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The variations in household incomes throughout the U.S. highlight the different economic conditions present in each state. States like Maryland and New jersy may present greater earning opportunities, but they also entail a high cost of living. On the other hand, states such as Mississippi and West Virginia might have lower income levels, yet they offer a more affordable cost of living for their residents.
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