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What salary is considered middle class in California?
My wife and I are trying to figure out if we're actually "middle class" here, or if the cost of living skews everything. We bring in around $180,000 combined before taxes. We own a modest home in Sacramento with a mortgage. We have two kids, a car payment, and typical expenses, but I feel like everyone around us is doing better. Are we kidding ourselves?
2 Answers
15
32d ago
A common rule of thumb defines middle class as earning between two-thirds and twice the median household income. Given California's median household income is around $80,000, that puts the middle-class range roughly between $53,000 and $160,000. You're above that top end, but Sacramento's cost of living, especially with kids and a mortgage, can make even a high income feel stretched. Subjectively, many people earning similar amounts might still identify as middle class due to lifestyle and financial pressures.
12
28d ago
Defining "middle class" is tricky because it's relative, but most sources place it between 67% to 200% of the median household income. In California, with a median income around $80,000, that puts the middle class roughly between $53,600 and $160,000. Given your household size and location within California, $130,000 probably puts you squarely in the middle class range, although on the higher end. Check the specific income limits for the assistance programs you're interested in, as they often use a more precise definition based on family size and county.