Nexstar Media Wire News What it take to be middle class in 2026: New study by Jenelle Vannoy and Addy Bink - 03/05/26 10:55 AM ET by Jenelle Vannoy and Addy Bink - 03/05/26 10:55 AM ET Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email NOW PLAYING LAS VEGAS ( KLAS /Nexstar) – As housing, transportation, and everyday expenses continue to fluctuate, the definition of middle-class stability is evolving, and for some families, it may feel like the goalpost keeps moving. A new data study shows that this may be the case in some communities. Personal finance site SmartAsset recently examined what income ranges qualify as middle class across the United States, using a common benchmark: households earning between two-thirds and double the median income in their area, based on U.S. Census Bureau data and Pew Research’s definition of middle income. Nationally, SmartAsset found that the income necessary to be considered middle class varies from less than $40,000 to nearly $70,000. In 13 major U.S. metros, the lower bound of the middle class is even higher. In Southern Nevada, for example, rapid population growth, rising home prices, and increasing everyday expenses continue to shape what “comfortable” middle-class living looks like. One city in the region, Enterprise, ranked among the 10 major U.S. cities with the highest minimum threshold to be considered middle class. Atop that list sits San Jose, where you would need an income of at least $98,800 to be considered middle class. That’s an increase of roughly $8,800 since last year , and enough to push it past Arlington, Virginia, which held the top spot in SmartAsset’s previous report. Arlington’s lower bound declined by about $4,000, allowing two additional California cities and Frisco, Texas, to climb the list. Alternatively, SmartAsset found that it’s easiest to rank among the middle class in Cleveland, Ohio, where you need an income of just under $29,000. That’s up nearly $3,000 over last year’s report, where Cleveland ranked second overall. That would not, however, be enough to fall into Ohio’s – or any state’s – overall middle class. The lower bound for the Buckeye State, according to SmartAsset, is $48,141, the twelfth-lowest in the country. You would need to earn roughly $10,000 more to rank among Mississippi’s middle class, the most affordable in the U.S. It’s the only state in this year’s report with a lower bound below $40,000. The lowest middle-class benchmarks don’t vary much by state. In the most expensive state, Massachusetts, an income of $69,885 is enough to rank among the middle class. To rank among the upper class, however, you need to earn roughly $210,000. In Mississippi, the upper bound of the middle class is just over $118,000. The interactive map below shows the middle class range for each state as calculated by SmartAsset.  You can find the full report here . President Trump sought in his first  State of the Union address last week to sell Americans on the idea of a booming economy, falling prices, and soaring jobs, yet he faces a skeptical public with a much gloomier view. Barely 12 hours before his speech, in fact, The Conference Board, a business research group, released its latest  consumer confidence  report. It showed that overall confidence in the economy remains historically low, and is barely above the level it plunged to in the depths of the COVID recession. In February, its index ticked up to 91.2, which is noticeably below a four-year peak reached in November 2024 of 112.8. Americans remain dejected by high prices and see few jobs available, the survey found. Other polling has yielded similar results: Only 39% of Americans approve of Trump’s economic leadership, according to  the latest  Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey. And the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey  remains mired  at recessionary levels. Now, amidst conflict with Iran that started over the weekend, there are concerns that inflation will rise again. Americans saw gas prices jump by 11 cents – and in some cases, even more – overnight into Tuesday. Ultimately, experts say, the impact on inflation will depend on how long military action lasts and how it affects the energy markets. President Trump says military operations against Iran could  last four to five weeks , but warned the U.S. has the capability to go “far longer.” The Associated Press and NewsNation’s Andrew Dorn contributed to this report. Add as preferred source on Google Tags Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email More Nexstar Media Wire News News See All Nexstar Media Wire News Year-round daylight saving time coming to Canada provi