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In a United States marked by the rising cost of living, being considered part of the middle class no longer means the same as it did a decade ago.
Currently, even those earning over $100,000 a year in household income can still struggle to make ends meet, especially in states where housing and food prices have risen at historic rates.
A new analysis from SmartAsset reveals how much one needs to earn to be part of the middle class in each state across the country, and in that context, Florida occupies a middle position, though increasingly challenging for many of its residents.
What is considered middle class in the U.S.?
The study is based on the methodology of the Pew Research Center, which defines the middle class as households whose income is between two-thirds and double the median household income.
Applying that formula to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the report calculates the income ranges that define the middle class in all 50 states.
The case of Florida: A middle-class state under pressure
In Florida, the median household income in 2023 was $73,311.
According to the study, to be considered middle class in the Sunshine State, a household must earn between $48,869 and $146,622 annually.
This threshold places Florida below the national average in terms of median income and at the upper limit of the middle-class range, implying that living with a six-figure income does not necessarily equate to a high standard of living in the Sunshine State.
Florida ranks below states like California, New York, or Massachusetts, where the upper threshold for belonging to the middle class widely exceeds $190,000.
However, it is also above southern states like Alabama, Arkansas, or Mississippi, where the income required to achieve middle-class status can be even $30,000 lower.
Comparison: Where is it most and least needed to be considered middle class?
The five states with the highest threshold:
-Massachusetts: $66,565 – $199,716.
-New Jersey: $66,514 – $199,562.
-Maryland: $65,779 – $197,356.
-New Hampshire: $64,552 – $193,676.
-California: $63,674 – $191,042.
The five states with the lowest threshold:
-Mississippi: $36,132 – $108,406.
-West Virginia: $37,295 – $111,896.
-Louisiana: $38,815 – $116,458.
-Arkansas: $39,129 – $117,400.
-Kentucky: $40,741 – $122,236.
In this context, Florida is positioned in a mid-high range, making it one of the states where the income threshold for remaining in the middle class has increased the most, although it is not yet at the extremes of the list.
Why is it no longer enough to earn six figures?
The traditional perception that earning over $100,000 a year guarantees financial stability has been challenged by inflation and the rising cost of living since the pandemic.
Between 2020 and 2024, housing prices increased by 52% and food prices rose by 30%, while cumulative inflation reached 25%.
This is reflected in Florida, one of the states where the cost of living has risen the most in recent years due to the real estate boom, internal migration from other states, and population growth.
National Perspective: The Middle Class Under Pressure Across the U.S.
Nationwide, the average income in one hundred of the major cities was $74,225, with the middle-class range falling between $49,478 and $142,718.
This represents an increase compared to the previous year and reflects a phenomenon occurring throughout the country: the middle class is losing purchasing power.
A recent survey by the National Coalition on the Real Cost of Living revealed that two out of three middle-class Americans feel they are experiencing economic hardships, and many do not expect their situation to improve in the short term.
The most expensive (and cheapest) cities to be middle class
Although the main analysis is by state, differences within cities are also highlighted.
For example:
Arlington, Virginia: the income required to be considered middle class ranges from $93,470 to $280,438.
San José, California: from $90,810 to $272,458.
Detroit, Michigan: the lowest range, from $25,384 to $76,160.
Florida does not rank among the most expensive or the cheapest cities in this category, but several urban areas such as Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are experiencing a rapid increase in the cost of living, particularly regarding rents.
Conclusion: Is it possible to maintain middle-class status in Florida?
Florida offers a mix of tax advantages (no state income tax) and quality of life, but these conditions have also attracted new residents and increased prices.
For a family in the state, staying within the middle class requires an income close to or exceeding $70,000, which is becoming increasingly difficult for those relying on low or medium wages.
In summary, although Florida is not among the most expensive states, it is certainly one where the pressure on the middle class is strongly felt.
And if current trends continue, households that barely qualify as middle class today could fall out of that category in the coming years, unless incomes keep pace with the cost of living.
Next, check what is considered middle class in your state.
Alabama
Lower middle class: $41,471
Upper middle class: $124,424
Average family income: $62,212
Alaska
Lower middle class: $57,748
Upper middle class: $173,262
Average family income: $86,631
Arizona
Lower middle class: $51,538
Upper middle class: $154,630
Average family income: $77,315
Arkansas
Low middle class: $39,129
High middle class: $117,400
Average family income: $58,700
California
Lower middle class: $63,674
Upper middle class: $191,042
Average family income: $95,521
Colorado
Lower middle class: $61,934
Upper middle class: $185,822
Average family income: $92,911
Connecticut
Low middle class: $61,104
Upper middle class: $183,330
Average household income: $91,665
Delaware
Lower middle class: $54,235
Upper middle class: $162,722
Average family income: $81,361
Florida
Lower middle class: $48,869
Upper middle class: $146,622
Average family income: $73,311
Georgia
Low middle class: $49,750
Upper middle class: $149,264
Average household income: $74,632
Hawaii
Lower middle class: $63,542
Upper middle class: $190,644
Average family income: $95,322
Idaho
Lower middle class: $49,956
Upper middle class: $149,884
Average family income: $74,942
Illinois
Lower middle class: $53,532
Upper middle class: $160,612
Average family income: $80,306
Indiana
Lower middle class: $46,313
Upper middle class: $138,954
Average family income: $69,477
Iowa
Lower middle class: $47,617
Upper middle class: $142,866
Average household income: $71,433
Kansas
Lower middle class: $46,884
Upper middle class: $140,666
Average family income: $70,333
Kentucky
Lower middle class: $40,741
Upper middle class: $122,236
Average family income: $61,118
Louisiana
Lower middle class: $38,815
Upper middle class: $116,458
Average family income: $58,229
Maine
Lower middle class: $49,150
Upper middle class: $147,466
Average family income: $73,733
Maryland
Lower middle class: $65,779
Upper middle class: $197,356
Average family income: $98,678
Massachusetts
Lower middle class: $66,565
Upper middle class: $199,716
Average family income: $99,858
Michigan
Lower middle class: $46,117
Upper middle class: $138,366
Average family income: $69,183
Minnesota
Lower middle class: $56,718
Upper middle class: $170,172
Average family income: $85,086
Mississippi
Low middle class: $36,132
Upper middle class: $108,406
Average family income: $54,203
Missouri
Lower middle class: $45,692
Upper middle class: $137,090
Average family income: $68,545
Montana
Lower middle class: $47,198
Upper middle class: $141,608
Average household income: $70,804
Nebraska
Low middle class: $49,722
Upper middle class: $149,180
Average family income: $74,590
Nevada
Low middle class: $50,904
Upper middle class: $152,728
Average family income: $76,364
New Hampshire
Low middle class: $64,552
Upper middle class: $193,676
Average family income: $96,838
New Jersey
Lower middle class: $66,514
Upper middle class: $199,562
Average family income: $99,781
New Mexico
Lower middle class: $41,508
Upper middle class: $124,536
Average family income: $62,268
New York
Lower middle class: $54,725
Upper middle class: $164,190
Average family income: $82,095
North Carolina
Lower middle class: $47,198
Upper middle class: $141,608
Average family income: $70,804
North Dakota
Lower middle class: $51,012
Upper middle class: $153,050
Average family income: $76,525
Ohio
Lower middle class: $45,175
Upper middle class: $135,538
Average family income: $67,769
Oklahoma
Low middle class: $41,421
Upper middle class: $124,276
Average family income: $62,138
Oregon
Low middle class: $53,435
Upper middle class: $160,320
Average family income: $80,160
Pennsylvania
Lower middle class: $49,211
Upper middle class: $147,648
Average family income: $73,824
Rhode Island
Lower middle class: $56,642
Upper middle class: $169,944
Average family income: $84,97
South Carolina
Lower middle class: $45,198
Upper middle class: $135,608
Average family income: $67,804
South Dakota
Lower middle class: $47,869
Upper middle class: $143,620
Average family income: $71,810
Tennessee
Lower middle class: $45,083
Upper middle class: $135,262
Average family income: $67,631
Texas
Lower middle class: $50,515
Upper middle class: $151,560
Median family income: $75,780
Utah
Lower middle class: $62,274
Upper middle class: $186,842
Average family income: $93,421
Vermont
Lower middle class: $54,135
Upper middle class: $162,422
Average family income: $81,211
Virginia
Lower middle class: $59,948
Upper middle class: $179,862
Average family income: $89,931
Washington
Low middle class: $63,064
Upper middle class: $189,210
Average family income: $94,605
West Virginia
Lower middle class: $37,295
Upper middle class: $111,896
Average family income: $55,948
Wisconsin
Lower middle class: $49,749
Upper middle class: $149,262
Average family income: $74,631
Wyoming
Lower middle class: $48,272
Upper middle class: $144,830
Average family income: $72,415
Frequently asked questions about the middle class and the cost of living in Florida and the United States
How much do you need to earn to be considered middle class in Florida?
To be considered middle class in Florida, a household must earn between $48,869 and $146,622 annually, according to a study by SmartAsset. This range reflects the income needed to maintain a standard of living regarded as middle class in the Sunshine State.
How does the cost of living in Florida compare to other states in the U.S.?
Florida ranks below states like California, New York, or Massachusetts in terms of income threshold for the middle class, where the necessary income is significantly higher. However, Florida is above southern states like Alabama, Arkansas, or Mississippi, where the income needed to be considered middle class is lower.
Why earning over $100,000 a year does not guarantee financial stability in Florida?
Although it was traditionally believed that earning over $100,000 a year guaranteed financial stability, inflation and rising living costs have challenged this perception. Between 2020 and 2024, housing prices increased by 52% and food prices rose by 30%, affecting the purchasing power of many households in Florida.
What is the income needed to be happy in Florida according to recent studies?
According to a study from Purdue University, you need to earn just over $106,000 annually to be happy in Florida. However, emotional well-being can be achieved with an income of $60,600 a year, taking into account factors such as the cost of living and basic needs.
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