Does your salary make you middle class? In Pittsburgh, your income can be far lower than in most of the country’s other largest cities and still put you within that range.
In a study published earlier this year, SmartAsset ranked middle class incomes across all 50 states, as well as 100 of the nation’s largest cities. They determined each location’s middle class income salary ranges based on 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Pew Research Center’s definition of a middle class salary range, which says such an income must be two-thirds to double the median U.S. salary.
What Income Does It Take to Be Middle Class in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh’s middle class income ranks at No. 74 among 100 of the largest U.S. cities, according to SmartAsset, meaning the necessary income to be considered middle class was on the lower end compared to the majority of other large cities.
Pittsburgh’s median household income in 2024 was $66,954.
To be considered middle class in the Steel City, you’d have to make at least $44,636, while an income over $133,908 would be considered upper class, based on 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Pew Research’s definition of middle class bounds.
What’s Considered Middle Class in Pennsylvania?
Among U.S. states, Pennsylvania had a middle-of-the-road ranking at No. 27 for its middle class income, according to SmartAsset.
The state’s median household income in 2024 was $77,545. To be considered middle class, Pennsylvania residents would need to make at least $51,697 but no more than $155,090 based on 2024 data.
Which U.S. Cities Have the Best and Worst Middle Class Income Rankings?
These five cities have the highest incomes necessary to be considered middle class, according to SmartAsset:
- San Jose, California: Upper bound for middle class income of $296,452; lower bound for middle class income of $98,817; median household income of $148,226
- Irvine, California: Upper bound for middle class income of $291,462; lower bound for middle class income of $97,154; median household income of $145,731
- Frisco, Texas: Upper bound for middle class income of $290,888; lower bound for middle class income of $96,963; median household income of $145,444
- San Francisco, California: Upper bound for middle class income of $279,602; lower bound for middle class income of $93,201; median household income of $139,801
- Arlington, Virginia: Upper bound for middle class income of $267,164; lower bound for middle class income of $89,055; median household income of $133,582
On the flip side, out of 100 of the nation’s biggest cities, these five locations have the lowest incomes required to be considered middle class:
- Cleveland, Ohio: Upper bound for middle class income of $86,766; lower bound for middle class income of $28,922; median household income of $43,383
- Toledo, Ohio: Upper bound for middle class income of $101,124; lower bound for middle class income of $32,708; median household income of $50,562
- Buffalo, New York: Upper bound for middle class income of $104,422; lower bound for middle class income of $34,807; median household income of $52,211
- Memphis, Tennessee: Upper bound for middle class income of $105,358; lower bound for middle class income of $35,119; median household income of $52,679
- St. Louis, Missouri: Upper bound for middle class income of $106,748; lower bound for middle class income of $35,583; median household income of $53,374
How Did SmartAsset Assess Middle Class by State and City?
SmartAsset looked at 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1-year American Community Survey for the median household income across 50 states and 100 of the country’s largest cities. To determine the income limits to be considered middle class, SmartAsset applied a variation of Pew Research Center’s definition of middle-income households to the data.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network.
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