Middle-Class Salary Requirements in Major U.S. Cities
A middle-class lifestyle can vary significantly depending on where you live. In some cities, it may mean owning a house and a car, while in others, it might simply mean being able to rent a place on your own. For example, in the San Francisco area, an annual income of $250,000 classifies your household as middle class, according to 2022 Census Bureau American Community Survey data.
Defining Middle Class
The middle class is commonly defined as households earning between two-thirds and double the median income. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California metro area, the median income is $128,151. This means middle-class households in this area earn between $85,434 and $256,302 annually.
Other High-Earning Metro Areas
Besides San Francisco, other metro areas with middle-class incomes that can reach $200,000 or more include Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Boston. Each of these areas boasts median household incomes exceeding $100,000 per year.
Seattle and Boston, known as major tech hubs, often have high-paying jobs that drive up local average wages. Washington, D.C., is home to many high-paid professionals, including lawyers, politicians, and consultants.
Middle-Class Income Ranges in the 25 Largest U.S. Metros
Here are the ranges of middle-class incomes in the 25 biggest U.S. metros courtesy of CNBC source US Census Bureau:
| Metro Area | Low-End Middle-Class Income | High-End Middle-Class Income |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA | $57,000 | $170,000 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $60,000 | $181,000 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $70,000 | $209,000 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,000 | $154,000 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL | $55,000 | $166,000 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $55,000 | $166,000 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $66,000 | $198,000 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $48,000 | $143,000 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $50,000 | $150,000 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $58,000 | $175,000 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $47,000 | $142,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $61,000 | $183,000 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $61,000 | $183,000 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $48,000 | $144,000 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $56,000 | $168,000 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $55,000 | $166,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $60,000 | $179,000 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $55,000 | $166,000 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $47,000 | $141,000 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $66,000 | $198,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,000 | $256,000 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $71,000 | $214,000 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,000 | $149,000 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $46,000 | $139,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $78,000 | $235,000 |
Cost of Living in High-Earning Metros
Despite high earnings, the cost of living in and around San Francisco is substantial. Nearly one in three households were considered housing cost-burdened in 2022, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Average rent prices in San Francisco were $3,139 as of May 2024. Owning a home is even more expensive, with median sale prices exceeding $1 million as of June 2024. For a median-priced home, a household would need to earn at least $228,085 annually to keep mortgage costs at or below 28% of their income.
Are You a Licensed MLO Interested in Boosting Your Income?
Understanding the financial landscape in these major metros can help you make informed decisions about your career and lifestyle. If you're looking for ways to boost your financial well-being, check out Innovative Mortgage's Compensation Plans. Visit Innovative Mortgage Compensation Plans to explore how you can achieve your financial goals.
Stay Informed
Living a middle-class lifestyle in major U.S. cities requires navigating high costs and significant income disparities. By staying informed and leveraging financial opportunities, you can better manage your financial future.
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