# The American Dream of the Middle Class Shatters in 2025: How Much Do You Need to Earn to Be Considered Middle Class?

It's not easy to live a middle-class life. According to the latest census data, the annual income standard for middle-class families in the United States has increased again.

**Core Data**:
- Middle-class income range in large cities: $49,478-$71,359 (median $74,225)
- Last year same period: $47,568-$142,718

**The Wealth Gap Widens**: Although they are both middle class, their fates are completely different.

Arlington, Virginia is the toughest — you still qualify as middle class even if you earn $280,438; cities in California like San Jose, Irvine, and San Francisco are not far behind, all requiring $85,000+ to enter.

But in Detroit, $25,384 can be considered middle class. How big is the gap? The minimum threshold in Arlington, ($93,470), is nearly 4 times that of Detroit.

**State-level rankings are also quite heartbreaking**:
- Most Expensive: Massachusetts ($66,565-$199,716)
- Cheapest: Mississippi ($36,132-$108,406)

A difference of 56%. This means that with the same monthly income of $5,000, you might be considered middle class in Mississippi, but you could be looked down upon in Massachusetts.

**Changes from 2023 to 2022**: Arlington increased by 5.9%, while San Francisco actually decreased... this operation is quite interesting.

**Heartbreaking Truth**: Inflation is soaring + wages aren't keeping up, the threshold for the middle class rises every year, but what about your salary?