It takes this much to be considered middle class in Philadelphia
Boat in front of Philadelphia Skyline with Schuylkill River Park Boardwalk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by: Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - The middle class has transformed through the decades, and these days, it can change drastically just based on where you live.
In 2024, a large U.S. city’s middle-class income averages between $52,000 and $155,000, with the median household income across all 345 cities at $77,345, making middle-class income limits fall between $51,558 and $154,590
Here's the income level required to be considered middle-class in Philadelphia this year, according to a SmartAsset study:
- Low end: $37,674
- High end: $113,034
- Median: $56,517
Is it what you expected? How do you think other major U.S. cities fare?
Several California cities topped the list. In Sunnyvale, California, residents need to have a household salary of at least $113,176 to be "middle income." And if you want to be in upper-class status, a person would need a salary of roughly $339,562.
In other California cities like Fremont, San Mateo, and Santa Clara, a person needs a household salary of more than $101,000 to be considered middle class.
Check out the map below to find the top 10 cities with the highest and lowest middle class incomes.