How Much the Definition of Middle Class Has Changed in Every State Over the Past Decade
Much has been made about the fact that the American middle class has been shrinking for decades now. But the main reason for that, as economists and the data continually explain, is the ongoing growth of the upper-middle class into the higher income brackets.
MoneyLion decided to see just how well the middle class was faring and how the definition of that income group has changed in every state over the past decade. As a reminder, the middle class is defined by Pew Research Center as the group making two-thirds to double the average income.
Also See: Middle Class to Upper Class -- 8 Steps To Build Generational Wealth
Read More: 5 Signs You’re Losing Money Every Month — and How To Find the Leaks
Nationally, the median income of the middle class saw a 12% increase from 2014 to 2024 (the latest year available from the U.S. Census Bureau). The median hit $84,000 in 2024 (tallied in 2026 dollars, adjusted for inflation).
Sixteen states saw at least a 15% increase, with Idaho and Oregon topping out at over 24%. Just two states, Alaska and Wyoming, saw the median income decrease.
Looking more recently, inflation has soared by more than 21% over the past five years, which has slowed the inflation-adjusted income growth of the middle class (less than 4% nationally). The West Coast states, for example, have all grown just one-third as much over the past five years as they have over the past decade.
Check out more key findings below.
Key Findings
Over 10 years, middle-class incomes have increased by more than 10% in 35 states and more than 20% in seven states. The states and their percentages, from 2014 to 2024, are Idaho (24.4%), Oregon (24.3%), Washington (23.1%), California (22%), Colorado (21.5%), Arizona (21.2%) and Utah (20.3%).
Middle-class incomes decreased in two states over the 10 years: Wyoming (-1.1%) and Alaska (-2.3%).
There are only two states where middle-class incomes have shifted by more than 10% in the five-year span. These states, when adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars, are Idaho (13.5%) and Arizona (10.4%).
The highest end of 2024 middle-class income is more than $200,000 in 10 states. From highest to lowest incomes, the states are Massachusetts ($219,823), Maryland ($219,227), New Jersey ($218,969), Hawaii ($212,273), California ($209,593), New Hampshire ($209,401), Washington ($207,519), Connecticut ($202,529), Colorado ($201,871) and Utah ($201,228).
Keep reading to see how the middle class has changed over the past decade in every state, ranked according to change in median income.
1. Idaho
2024 median household income: $82,254
Middle-class income range: $54,836 to $164,508
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 24.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 13.5%
2. Oregon
2024 median household income: $87,763
Middle-class income range: $58,509 to $175,527
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 24.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.6%
3. Washington
2024 median household income: $103,760
Middle-class income range: $69,173 to $207,519
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 23.1%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 8.3%
4. California
2024 median household income: $104,797
Middle-class income range: $69,865 to $209,593
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 22%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.2%
5. Colorado
2024 median household income: $100,936
Middle-class income range: $67,290 to $201,871
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 21.5%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.4%
6. Arizona
2024 median household income: $84,542
Middle-class income range: $56,361 to $169,084
10 year-change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 21.2%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 10.4%
7. Utah
2024 median household income: $100,614
Middle-class income range: $67,076 to $201,228
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 20.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 8.1%
8. Florida
2024 median household income: $78,837
Middle-class income range: $52,558 to $157,674
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 19.5%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 9%
9. Georgia
2024 median household income: $81,781
Middle-class income range: $54,521 to $163,563
10 year-change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 18.6%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.3%
10. Tennessee
2024 median household income: $73,579
Middle-class income range: $49,053 to $147,159
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 18%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 6.2%
11. Rhode Island
2024 median household income: $92,822
Middle-class income range: $61,882 to $185,645
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 17.7%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 6.4%
12. Montana
2024 median household income: $76,660
Middle-class income range: $51,107 to $153,320
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 17.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.4%
13. North Carolina
2024 median household income: $76,532
Middle-class income range: $51,021 to $153,064
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 17.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.9%
14. South Carolina
2024 median household income: $73,293
Middle-class income range: $48,862 to $146,586
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 16.5%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 6.1%
15. Massachusetts
2024 median household income: $109,912
Middle-class income range: $73,275 to $219,823
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 15.9%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 4.2%
16. Maine
2024 median household income: $79,011
Middle-class income range: $52,674 to $158,023
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 15.9%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 5%
17. New Hampshire
2024 median household income: $104,701
Middle-class income range: $69,800 to $209,401
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 13.5%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 5%
18. Nevada
2024 median household income: $82,740
Middle-class income range: $55,160 to $165,481
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 13.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 5.5%
19. Texas
2024 median household income: $82,969
Middle-class income range: $55,313 to $165,937
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 12.9%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3.2%
20. South Dakota
2024 median household income: $79,379
Middle-class income range: $52,920 to $158,759
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 12.8%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 4.9%
21. Vermont
2024 median household income: $85,852
Middle-class income range: $57,235 to $171,704
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 12.8%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 6.6%
22. Michigan
2024 median household income: $77,047
Middle-class income range: $51,365 to $154,094
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 12.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3.8%
23. Missouri
2024 median household income: $74,750
Middle-class income range: $49,833 to $149,499
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 12%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3.8%
24. Indiana
2024 median household income: $76,077
Middle-class income range: $50,718 to $152,153
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 11.7%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 4%
25. Arkansas
2024 median household income: $64,252
Middle-class income range: $42,835 to $128,505
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 11.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3.9%
26. Hawaii
2024 median household income: $106,136
Middle-class income range: $70,758 to $212,273
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 11.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 0.5%
27. Alabama
2024 median household income: $67,663
Middle-class income range: $45,109 to $135,326
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 11.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3.1%
28. Kentucky
2024 median household income: $67,374
Middle-class income range: $44,916 to $134,749
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 11.2%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.5%
29. Wisconsin
2024 median household income: $81,921
Middle-class income range: $54,614 to $163,842
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 11.2%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.1%
30. Pennsylvania
2024 median household income: $82,435
Middle-class income range: $54,957 to $164,870
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 11.1%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.8%
31. New York
2024 median household income: $90,896
Middle-class income range: $60,597 to $181,792
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 10.8%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.2%
32. Minnesota
2024 median household income: $94,161
Middle-class income range: $62,774 to $188,322
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 10.8%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 1.7%
33. Ohio
2024 median household income: $75,476
Middle-class income range: $50,317 to $150,952
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 10.6%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.7%
34. Nebraska
2024 median household income: $80,853
Middle-class income range: $53,902 to $161,706
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 10.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 1.3%
35. Illinois
2024 median household income: $88,164
Middle-class income range: $58,776 to $176,328
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 10.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3%
36. Virginia
2024 median household income: $98,504
Middle-class income range: $65,669 to $197,008
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 8.8%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.2%
37. New Jersey
2024 median household income: $109,485
Middle-class income range: $72,990 to $218,969
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 8.7%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.1%
38. West Virginia
2024 median household income: $63,021
Middle-class income range: $42,014 to $126,041
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 8.5%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3.9%
39. Kansas
2024 median household income: $78,527
Middle-class income range: $52,352 to $157,054
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 8.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 1.4%
40. Mississippi
2024 median household income: $59,679
Middle-class income range: $39,786 to $119,357
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 8.2%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 1.9%
41. New Mexico
2024 median household income: $67,726
Middle-class income range: $45,151 to $135,453
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.8%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 4.8%
42. Iowa
2024 median household income: $79,356
Middle-class income range: $52,904 to $158,712
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 7.7%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 0.9%
43. Delaware
2024 median household income: $89,818
Middle-class income range: $59,878 to $179,635
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 6.7%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 1.3%
44. Oklahoma
2024 median household income: $68,762
Middle-class income range: $45,842 to $137,525
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 6.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 0%
45. Maryland
2024 median household income: $109,614
Middle-class income range: $73,076 to $219,227
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 5.8%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): -0.5%
46. North Dakota
2024 median household income: $81,046
Middle-class income range: $54,030 to $162,091
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 4.4%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): -3.9%
47. Connecticut
2024 median household income: $101,264
Middle-class income range: $67,510 to $202,529
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 3.7%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): -0.6%
48. Louisiana
2024 median household income: $64,234
Middle-class income range: $42,823 to $128,469
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 2.2%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): 0%
49. Wyoming
2024 median household income: $80,537
Middle-class income range: $53,691 to $161,074
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): -1.1%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): -3.2%
50. Alaska
2024 median household income: $98,100
Middle-class income range: $65,400 to $196,200
10-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): -2.3%
5-year change (%) in middle-class income (in 2026 dollars): -2.7%
Heather Taylor contributed to the reporting for this research piece.
Methodology: For this piece, MoneyLion sourced the median household incomes for every state from the 2024 (latest available), 2019, 2014, and 2010 American Community Surveys as conducted by the US Census Bureau. With these figures, MoneyLion was then able to find the middle-class income ranges from the respective years, following the Pew Research definition of middle-class income being two-thirds to double the income of an area. With the middle-class income ranges calculated for each year, MoneyLion was then able to calculate both the monetary and percent changes in middle-class income in every state over five years, 10 years and 14 years. MoneyLion did calculations not adjusting for inflation and adjusting for inflation to 2026 dollars. All data was collected and is up to date as of April 23, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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