KY among states that require the lowest salary to be middle class, study says

More than 50% of U.S. residents are considered middle class, according to Pew Research Center, and the median national household income hit $83,730 in 2024.

But incomes that support a middle class lifestyle can depend on what U.S. state and city you reside in.

Finance company SmartAsset released a ranking this month that lists what constitutes a middle-class income by city and state, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

“As the median household income varies widely across the U.S. depending on the local job market, housing market, infrastructure and other factors, so does swing the bounds on what constitutes a middle class income in America,” the Feb. 26 SmartAsset report reads.

Among the highlights of SmartAsset’s study? Massachusetts was named the state that requires the highest salary to be middle class and Mississippi the lowest.

So, what about Kentucky? What do you need to make in order to be middle class? Here’s what to know.

How much do you need to make in KY to be middle class?

SmartAsset ranked Kentucky 46th in the country, meaning it is one of the states that requires the lowest salary in order to be considered middle class.

The report showed a median income in Kentucky of $64,526 and found the upper bound for middle class in the state sits at $129,052 while the lower bound sits at $43,017.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows 15.6% of people in the Bluegrass State are experiencing poverty, as of July 2024.

Lexington is ranked 69th among U.S. cities for the salary required to be middle class, with a median income of $69,989. The upper bound for the city sits at $139,978, while the lower class is $46,659.

According to Pew Research Center, 51% of the U.S. is considered middle class, but this figure has decreased over the years. In 1971, 61% of the population was considered middle class.

States needing the highest salaries for the middle class

Here are the states that need the highest salary to be considered middle class, from SmartAsset:

• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• Maryland
• Hawaii
• California

Here are the five states that require the lowest salary to be middle class:

• Mississippi
• West Virginia
• Louisiana
• Arkansas
• Kentucky

Do you have a question about employment or business for the Herald-Leader? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.

Lindsay Smith

The Wichita Eagle

Lindsay Smith is a suburban news reporter for the Wichita Eagle, covering the communities of Andover, Bel Aire, Derby, Haysville and Kechi. She has been on The Eagle staff since 2022 and was the service journalism reporter for three years. She has a degree in communications with an emphasis in journalism from Wichita State, where she was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Sunflower, for two years. You can reach her via email at lsmith@wichitaeagle.com.