The middle class might not be who you think it is.

The Income Factors

So this brings up the question: what is middle-class income? The most common method—and fastest way of determining what is considered middle class—is to look at traditional income measurements. PewResearch sets the financial ranges for a family of three as follows: Low income makes less than $52,200. Middle income ranges from $52,200 to $156,600. Upper income makes more than $156,000.

Income Status Depends on Where You Live

The numbers above are general and give people a rough idea of their income class. It might surprise you to know that the numbers vary depending on where you live—the state and city will produce a more accurate level. GoBankingRates offers a state-by-state list of the three income levels. Because of the difference in financial status among states, it means that what is considered middle class in one state is not necessarily middle class in another. If you are not middle class in one state, you could move to another one and become middle class there. The state with the lowest income level to be considered middle class, according to GoBankingRates, is Mississippi, where you only need to make $34,818 to be middle class. The state with the highest entry level into the middle class is Maryland, where you will need to make $60,487.

The same two states with the lowest and highest entry levels into the middle class also have the lowest and highest entry levels into the upper-class ranks. Mississippi only requires a family of two to earn $103,934 to enter the upper class, and Maryland requires them to earn $180,558.

You can break this number down more accurately according to your closest city. PewResearch has an income calculator that helps you determine the numbers by the nearest major city.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/does-your-income-level-put-you-in-the-middle-class-4695707