Here’s how much money you need to earn in SC to be in the middle class, new analysis shows
Do you consider yourself part of the middle class?
Depending on the state you live in, you may be in a different class all together.
Living costs have surged in recent years, making it harder for some to reach middle-class status in the U.S. The latest data shows that the income needed to maintain a middle-class lifestyle has risen, reflecting both inflation and shifting wages across the country.
A recent analysis from SmartAsset determined the ranges of income needed to be part of the middle class. SmartAsset analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data for the median household income in all 50 states. The analysis then used that data with 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.
The good news for South Carolinians is that they don’t need to earn nearly as much as most other states to be considered middle class. South Carolina ranked 40th among the states in terms of the highest income needed to be part of the middle class.
The SC middle class
Here’s how much you currently need to earn to be considered middle class in South Carolina.
- Lower end of middle class: $45,198
- High end of middle class: $135,608
- Median household income: $67,804
Key findings
- Mississippi is the leanest state for middle class earnings. A range of $36,132 to $108,406 defines the state’s middle class at the state level.
- Massachusetts overtakes New Jersey as the priciest state for middle-class living. A household needs between $66,565 and $199,716 to be middle class in Massachusetts. You need to earn between $66,514 and $199,562 to be middle class in New Jersey.
Top 10 states
These are the 10 states with the highest middle class income thresholds.
1. Massachusetts
- Lower end of middle class: $66,565
- High end of middle class: $199,716
- Median household income: $99,858
2. New Jersey
- Lower end of middle class: $66,514
- High end of middle class: $199,562
- Median household income: $99,781
3. Maryland
- Lower end of middle class: $65,779
- High end of middle class: $65,779
- Median household income: $98,678
4. New Hampshire
- Lower end of middle class: $64,552
- High end of middle class: $193,676
- Median household income: $96,838
5. California
- Lower end of middle class: $63,674
- High end of middle class: $191,042
- Median household income: $95,521
6. Hawaii
- Lower end of middle class: $63,542
- High end of middle class: $190,644
- Median household income: $95,322
7. Washington
- Lower end of middle class: $63,064
- High end of middle class: $189,210
- Median household income: $94,605
8. Utah
- Lower end of middle class: $62,274
- High end of middle class: $186,842
- Median household income: $93,421
9. Colorado
- Lower end of middle class: $61,934
- High end of middle class: $185,822
- Median household income: $92,911
10. Connecticut
- Lower end of middle class: $61,104
- High end of middle class: $183,330
- Median household income: $91,665
This story was originally published May 10, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
