Being called “middle class” sounds simple, but the definition is more complicated than a single income number. Household size, location, and local living costs can all change where a household falls on the income scale.

Over the past several decades, the share of Americans living in middle-class households has also declined, making the term harder to define.

According to the Pew Research Center, the share of U.S. adults living in middle-class households fell from 61% in 1971 to 50% in 2021. That marked the smallest share recorded in five decades.

The shift does not mean fewer people sit in the mathematical middle of the income range. Instead, it reflects how income groups have changed over time. More households now fall into either lower- or upper-income categories.

A 2025 analysis from Brookings adds another concern. The study found that about one-third of the middle class, defined as the middle 60% of earners, cannot afford the cost of living where they reside. That gap shows why income alone may not explain how financially secure a household feels.

What Counts as Middle Class?

There is no single definition that applies to every American household. A common measure looks at income compared with the national median, while other measures consider household size and local costs.

The Pew Research Center uses a range of two-thirds to twice the U.S. median household income when defining the middle class. Its calculator also adjusts income based on household size and location.

Pexels | Defining the American middle class requires adjusting household income for local cost-of-living differences and family size.

The adjustment matters because $100,000 can provide a very different standard of living in different parts of the country. Housing, food, transportation, taxes, and other expenses can vary widely by location.

Pew's calculation converts household income into an amount comparable to the income of a three-person household. Smaller households receive an upward adjustment, while larger households receive a downward adjustment.

Pew's Income Ranges

The Pew calculator uses data from 2022. Therefore, it does not fully reflect inflation that occurred in later years. Still, the figures can provide a general comparison of household income.

In 2022, the estimated middle-class income range was about $56,600 to $169,800.

Households earning below about $56,600 fell into the lower-income group under this measure. Those earning above $169,800 fell into the upper-income group.

The calculator can also compare a household with adults who share similar characteristics, including education, age, race, ethnicity, and marital status.

Location Changes the Picture

Income can look very different when local living costs enter the calculation. A recent SmartAsset study found that people earning more than $200,000 a year could still fall within the middle class in at least five states.

That finding highlights a simple point: a salary that appears high on paper does not automatically create the same lifestyle everywhere.

Housing costs can make a major difference. A household may have enough income to fall within the middle-class range but still have less money available for savings, family expenses, travel, or other financial goals.

A Brookings analysis found that between 23% and 57% of middle-income earners could not afford basic expenses, depending on the location examined. For some households, meeting everyday costs can leave little room for longer-term goals.

How the Middle Class Has Changed

Gemini AI | Decades of data show a shrinking U.S. middle class as more households move into lower- or higher-income tiers.

The decline in the middle class has happened alongside growth in both lower- and upper-income groups. Pew Research Center data shows that from 1971 to 2023, the share of Americans living in lower-income households rose from 27% to 30%.

During the same period, the share living in upper-income households increased from 11% to 19%.

Household incomes have increased across all three income groups since 1970. However, the increases have not been equal. Upper-income households saw larger gains than middle- and lower-income households.

Between 1970 and 2022, the median income of middle-class households rose by 60%. The median income of upper-income households increased by 78%, while the median income of lower-income households grew by 55%.

What the Numbers Mean

The middle class is not defined by one salary that works for every household. Income, household size, and location all affect the calculation.

For that reason, a household earning $80,000, $150,000, or even more than $200,000 may fall into a different income group depending on its circumstances. The numbers also show why a household can meet a statistical definition of middle class while still feeling financial pressure.

The American middle class has changed significantly over the past five decades. Pew Research Center data shows a smaller share of adults now live in middle-class households, while the lower- and upper-income groups have grown.

At the same time, rising living costs can make a middle-class income feel very different from one household or state to another. Looking at income alongside household size and local costs gives a clearer picture of where a household stands financially.