How much money does it take to be in Kansas’ middle class? What the data says
Recent analysis by personal finance site GoBankingRates showed residents need to make more than $415,000 to be considered rich in Kansas. But how much do you need to make to be a part of the middle class?
A lot more than you did 10 years ago.
The site released new data showing how much the definition of middle class has changed in every state in the country from 2012 to 2022. In 2012, on average, a household income of $35,364 put you in the middle class in the United States; in 2022, $50,099 was the minimum household income threshold.
To determine the household income needed to be middle class in each state, GoBankingRates defined “middle class” as those with an annual household income between two-thirds and double the overall median income for each state, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
How did Kansas’ middle class shift? Here’s what the numbers say.
What’s middle class in the Wichita area?
If you want to be considered middle class around Wichita, you need to make about $46,500 annually, according to GoBankingRates.
Kansas’ increase in middle class income was one of the smaller jumps in the country, ranked at No. 41, but the state still saw a sizeable increase in income to be considered middle-class. The income range in 2022 was between $46,498 and $139,494, while in 2012 it was between $34,182 and $102,546, a 36% increase.
In 2012, you would be considered upper-middle class if you made more than $106,092, the average highest household income considered to be middle class nationwide. A decade later, the end of the middle-class household income spectrum was up to $150,298.
The household income required to be considered middle class in the country increased by 41.67% during that time frame.
The states that saw the largest increases in what it means to be middle class over the time period were:
- Oregon: 53% increase
- Washington: 52% increase
- Colorado: 50% increase
- California: 49% increase
- Idaho: 49% increase
Besides Colorado, where the middle class begins around $58,000, other states neighboring Kansas have a similar income range that is considered middle class.
In Oklahoma, household income between $40,909 and $122,728 puts you in the middle class. Missouri’s middle class income range is $43,947-$131,840, and Nebraska’s is $47,815-$143,444.
