15 cities where to earn more than $ 100,000 always means that you are "the lower middle class"

The relatively high salary will not take you very far if you live in these places.


The hope of making enough money to live comfortably is the one we all share, but it is not technically the same everywhere. The income you bring to certain places as a member of the "middle class" may not be enough to Cover your rent , mortgage and other essential elements if you decide to pack your suitcases and direct yourself elsewhere. Now new gobankingrates searches show that even people with Six -digit wages would always be considered a "lower middle class" in certain cities.

To find the ranking, the data was collected in the 100 largest cities in the United States, according to the 2022 American Community Survey. The team examined the median household income for each place before calculating the average income range of the lower class for each. In this case, the middle class income was defined as "two -thirds to double" the median income of a region, according to the Pew Research Center.

The cities were then classified according to the relative weight of annual wages in each. The results contain shocking revelations, in particular that people who earn just over $ 150,000 per year in certain places were still on the lower level of demographic support.

Do you want to know which places to overshadow a considerable pay check? Read the rest for cities where to earn more than $ 100,000 always means that you are "from the lower middle class", according to new GoBankingrates searches.

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15
Jersey City, New Jersey

New Jersey, Jersey City skyline
Dropout
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 60,767
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 101,279

Many people move to Jersey City when they are looking for a more affordable place to stay while working in Manhattan. But the city which carries the namesake of its state is even more expensive than the average, the accommodation costs 74% above the national average, according to Gobankingrates.

In relation: The 20 most affordable American cities for retirees, show new research .

14
Chesapeake, Virginie

the Centerville Turnpike Bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway in Chesapeake, Virginia
Dropout
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 61,802
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 103,003

Even if it is not the type of animated metropolis that you could expect to see on the list, Chesapeake, in Virginia, always has the proximity of other expensive postal codes of the state. This is probably why it costs a little more to live there than average. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

13
Oakland, California

The skyline of Oakland, California from the bay.
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  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 62,926
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 104,877

Oakland may be famous for a city where is expected. The data show that the cost of living in the city of the bay region is 46% higher than the national average, according to Gobankingrates.

12
Anchorage, Alaska

The skyline of Anchorage, Alaska with mountains in the background
Dropout
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 63,821
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 106,368

As a remote city, Anchorage faces higher costs in terms of transport, energy and essentials. This pushes its cost of living at 27% above the national average.

In relation: The safest city of each state, the new data show .

11
San Diego, California

The skyline of downtown San Diego, California
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  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 65,771
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 109,619

Sunny Southern California has long attracted people who seek to live comfortably. And with the cost of living 44% above the national average, it seems that people are ready to pay to call the region at home.

10
Chandler, Arizona

cityscape photo of downtown Chandler, Arizona
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  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 66,249
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 110,416

The suburbs of Phoenix, well -noid, of Chandler has come on the list. A booming manufacturing and technology industry can help people afford a high cost of living, which is 66% higher than the national average, according to Gobankingrates.

9
Washington DC.

washington monument surrounded by cherry blossoms
Dropout
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 67,815
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 113,024

National capital requires regular workforce, attracting people from all over the United States, those who live in the district pay 39% more than the national average to do so.

In relation: The most dangerous state to work has 155% higher death than the average, the new data show .

8
Scottsdale, Arizona

scottsdale arizona with mountains in the distance
Dropout
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 69,465
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 115,774

Scottsdale presents itself as a popular tourist destination and first choice for real estate in Arizona. The prices of inflated housing make this city bathed in sunshine more difficult to move, even with a six -digit salary.

7
Plano, Texas

city skyline of Plano, Texas
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  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 70,453
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 117,421

Plano has become a must for anyone looking to be on the outskirts of Dallas while offering a downtown experience. Higher payroll checks may be necessary to provide the higher cost of living, which is 21% above the national average.

6
Gilbert, Arizona

Gilbert, Arizona from above
Dropout
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 76,786
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 127,977

Similar to Scottsdale, Gilbert is a postal code sought at an easy Phoenix driving distance. People here are willing to pay a cost of living of 76% higher due to many employment opportunities and easy access to nature, by gobankingrates.

In relation: The 6 best small towns to retire .

5
Seattle, Washington

seattle skyline and space needle
Veni / Istock
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 77,379
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 128,964

As one of the largest cities on the west coast - and a real hub in the technological industry - the seat has a magnetic draw for those who seek to launch a career. Those who land here must face a cost of living which is 50% higher than the national average.

4
Irvine, California

cityscape photo of downtown Irvine, California
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  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 81,965
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 136,609

Even for California, Irvine can represent one of the most difficult places to make it a traditional average salary. Housing costs are 142% above the national average, which residents seem ready to pay for access to the nature of the region, commercial offers, etc.

3
San Jose, California

cityscape photo of buildings and houses in San Jose, California at dusk
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  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 90,673
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 151,122

San Jose represents the first city on the list where to earn more than $ 150,000 could still make you "lower in the middle class" according to local standards. Similar to Irvine, housing costs are 142% higher than the national average, with median prices over $ 1 million. The grocery store is also 18% higher than those of the average American city, according to Gobankingrates.

In relation: 10 states most of them and the less stressed in the United States

2
San Francisco, California

san francisco california
Kropic / Istock
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 91,126
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 151,877

There are undoubtedly few cities whose expensive reputation precedes it more than San Francisco. The technological center is a sadly expensive place to settle.

"In San Francisco, the median price of houses reached $ 1.2 million in December 2023. If you earn $ 150,000 per year before taxes, this puts you in a difficult situation to buy a house", " Jeff Rose , the founder of Alliance Wealth Management, told Gobankingrates. Overall, housing costs are 207% higher than the national average.

1
Arlington, Virginia

The skyline of Arlington, Virginia
Seanpavonephoto / Istock
  • The minimum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 91,591
  • Maximum income considered as a lower middle class: $ 152,652

When it comes to moving your income expectations, Arlington, Virginie, is the city that is at the top of the list. The accommodation is 121% higher than the national average, while the cost of living is generally 41% more. The proximity of the city with Washington, D.C., also stimulates its appeal to people who seek to work in government - or plunged into one of the booming local industries.


Categories: Smarter Living
Tags: Cities / Income / News
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