How Much do You Have to Make to be ‘Middle Class’ in Minnesota?

What even is 'middle class'? And how much do you have to make in order to be considered 'middle class'? The middle class is always a big part of the discussion when it comes to the economy, but what does that even mean?

So What is 'Middle Class'?

Investopedia defines the middle class as "people and families with incomes that fall into the median range for the geographic area they live in."

They also say that it "is not precise but generally middle-class people in the U.S. are viewed as having sufficient means to live a comfortable lifestyle."

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So in today's numbers, how much money is that? How much does someone in Minnesota have to make in order to be 'middle class'?

How Much Money You Need to Make to be 'Middle Class'

A 2024 study from Smart Asset breaks down how much it costs to be middle class in each state.

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Before we get to Minnesota's numbers, which state is the most expensive to be middle class, and which state is the least expensive?

Most Expensive State to Be 'Middle Class'

The study found that New Jersey is the most expensive state to be in the middle class. A household has to make between $64,224 and $192,692 per year to be considered middle class.

Least Expensive State to be 'Middle Class'

The least expensive place to be considered middle class is Mississippi. Households with an income between $35,142 and $105,438 per year would be in the middle-class bracket.

How Much You Have to Make to be 'Middle Class' in Minnesota

As for us in Minnesota, we kind of fall in between New Jersey and Mississippi's numbers.

To be middle class in the Land of 10,000 Lakes you need to make between $54,887 and $167,676 per year as a household. The median household income to be considered middle class is $82,338.

I think it's absolutely insane that if you double the income of the lower end of the spectrum, you don't even hit the top end.