You need to earn more than ever to be part of the SC middle class in 2025. Here’s how much
Do you consider yourself part of the middle class in South Carolina?
South Carolina ranked 40th among the most expensive U.S. states for middle class living in 2025, according to a recent study by SmartAsset, a personal finance site. Still, being among the middle class in the Palmetto State is more expensive than just a year ago.
The study used Pew Research’s definition of middle income — two-thirds to double the median household income — to calculate the middle-class income ranges for all 50 states based on the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
“For middle-class Americans, the dream has long been a life of reasonable comfort — a stable home, the ability to save enough money to retire, and enough left over for periodic splurges like family vacations, updated cars, or home improvements,” SmartAsset reporter Jaclyn DeJohn wrote in a Feb. 26 article titled “What It Takes to Be Middle Class in America.” “With living costs surging over the past few years, that dream is getting pricier.”
According to the latest data, residents need more income to maintain a middle-class status than ever before, “reflecting both inflation and shifting wages,” across the nation.
How much must you earn to be in SC middle class?
A South Carolina household must earn an annual income of $45,198 to $135,608 to be considered middle class, the study shows. The median household income for middle class status is $67,804.
That’s an increase from what was found in the same study last year, which reported South Carolina middle class households earned an annual income of between $42,739 and $128,230. The median household income was $64,115.
SC compared to other states
Massachusetts households must earn a median annual income of $99,858 to be considered middle class, the highest in the U.S., the study shows.
Middle class households in New Jersey earn a median income of $99,781 a year, while those in Maryland earn a median annual income of $98,678 a year.
Top 10 costliest states for middle class
Here’s the range of how much households in the 10 states with the highest middle class income requirements earn annually.
- Massachusetts: $66,565 to $199,716
- New Jersey: $66,514 to $199,562
- Maryland: $65,779 to $197,356
- New Hampshire: $64,552 to $193,676
- California: $63,674 to $191,042
- Hawaii: $63,542 to $190,644
- Washington: $63,064 to $189,210
- Utah: $62,274 to $186,842
- Colorado: $61,934 to $185,822
- Connecticut: $61,104 to$183,330
This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
