How much do you need to earn to be middle class in Kansas? Here’s the range

More than 50% of U.S. residents are considered middle class, according to a 2024 study by Pew Research Center, and the median national household income was $83,730 that year.

But how much you need to earn to be middle class in the U.S. can depend on what state and city you live 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 Kansas? What do you need to make in order to be middle class? Here’s what to know.

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

SmartAsset ranked Kansas 33rd in the U.S., with a median income of $75,514. The study found the upper bound for middle class income in the state sits at $151,028, while the lower bound is $50,343.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows 10.9% of Kansas’ population is experiencing poverty, as of July 2024.

Looking at Wichita specifically, the median salary sits at $65,855, with upper bound middle class sitting at $131,710 and lower bound sitting at $43,903. By population, 15.9% of Wichitans are experiencing poverty, Census Bureau data indicates.

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 five states that require the highest salaries to be considered middle class, according to SmartAsset:

• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• Maryland
• Hawaii
• California

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

• Mississippi
• West Virginia
• Louisiana
• Arkansas
• Kentucky

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.