In Parts of Texas Middle‑Class Starts at $31,666—$15K Less Than An Average New‑Car Today

The term “middle-class” is often used in reference to a distinct, but amorphous socioeconomic demographic group in the United States. While there is a general popular consensus of who belongs to the American middle class, there is no concrete, universally accepted definition.

Broadly speaking, members of the American middle class are commonly thought of as white-collar professionals or small business owners, often with at least some level of college education. Members of the American middle class are typically able to meet their financial obligations with money left over for discretionary purchases and retirement savings. Both a social and economic pillar in the United States, middle class households offer a reliable market for goods and services, labor that drives entrepreneurship and innovation, and tax revenue that sustains public services. (Here is a look at the five most common ways Americans move from poor to middle class.)

These hallmark indicators are subject to a multitude of exceptions, however, and while perhaps useful in determining middle-class status at the individual level, lose their utility when assessing broad populations. Partially as a result, income is often used as a proximate middle-class signifier. The Pew Research Center, for example, considers those households earning between two-thirds and double the national median household income to be middle class, accounting for household size.

Using an approximation of this formula, any American household earning between $51,813 to $155,438 per year would be considered middle class. However, because both incomes and consumer prices vary widely across the United States, what might be considered a middle-class income in some cities, may fall short of the middle-income threshold in others. And in some parts of the country, the household income necessary for attaining middle-class status is far lower than in others.

Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the city with the poorest middle class in each state. We reviewed the median household income in every U.S. metro area and, using regional price parity data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, adjusted that figure for the average cost of living across the metro areas within a respective state. We then multiplied that figure by 66.6% to determine the lower limit of a middle income, and multiplied it by two to identify the upper limit. For each state, listed in alphabetical order, we identified the city with the lowest middle-class income threshold.

It is important to note that four states — Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont — are home to only one metropolitan area. As a result, the listed city in these states ranks on this list by default only.

Among the 50 metro areas on this list, the minimum income threshold for a household to be considered middle-class ranges from as low as $31,666 up to $63,788. As a rule, the lower the median household income in a given city, the lower the middle-income threshold. While there are some notable exceptions, in many cases, the cities on this list with poorer middle class populations also tend to be in states that also have a relatively low-income middle class. (Here is a look at what will happen if the middle-class fades away.)

These are the cities in every state with the poorest middle class.

Why It Matters

The American middle-class are generally understood as a socioeconomic group that falls somewhere between the working and upper classes. Due to the relative nature of the term, however, what may be considered a low income household in some U.S. cities, may fall squarely within the middle-class of others. As a result, middle-class status can depend not only on income, but also on where you live — and in some parts of the country, middle class incomes can be far lower than in others.

Alabama: Anniston-Oxford

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $36,753 – $110,258
• Middle income range for households statewide: $45,622 – $136,866
• Median household income in metro area: $50,780 ($55,129 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $62,212 — 7th lowest of 50 states ($68,433 cost of living adjusted — 7th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Alabama: 10.0% lower than average (8.56% lower than average in Alabama metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Alabama: 12

Alaska: Fairbanks-College

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $55,501 – $166,503
• Middle income range for households statewide: $56,772 – $170,317
• Median household income in metro area: $86,391 ($83,252 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $86,631 — 12th highest of 50 states ($85,158 cost of living adjusted — 13th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Alaska: 1.7% higher than average (3.63% higher than average in Alaska metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Alaska: 2

Arizona: Sierra Vista-Douglas

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $34,001 – $102,003
• Middle income range for households statewide: $50,976 – $152,929
• Median household income in metro area: $52,025 ($51,002 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $77,315 — 20th highest of 50 states ($76,465 cost of living adjusted — 21st lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Arizona: 1.1% higher than average (1.97% higher than average in Arizona metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Arizona: 7

Arkansas: Hot Springs

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $38,882 – $116,645
• Middle income range for households statewide: $44,416 – $133,249
• Median household income in metro area: $52,275 ($58,323 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $58,700 — 4th lowest of 50 states ($66,625 cost of living adjusted — 4th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Arkansas: 13.5% lower than average (11.57% lower than average in Arkansas metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Arkansas: 5

California: Merced

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $33,475 – $100,425
• Middle income range for households statewide: $55,657 – $166,971
• Median household income in metro area: $57,570 ($50,213 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $95,521 — 5th highest of 50 states ($83,485 cost of living adjusted — 16th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in California: 12.6% higher than average (12.78% higher than average in California metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in California: 25

Colorado: Grand Junction

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $42,238 – $126,714
• Middle income range for households statewide: $61,073 – $183,220
• Median household income in metro area: $64,722 ($63,357 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $92,911 — 9th highest of 50 states ($91,610 cost of living adjusted — 5th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Colorado: 1.4% higher than average (2.11% higher than average in Colorado metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Colorado: 7

Connecticut: New Haven

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $51,725 – $155,175
• Middle income range for households statewide: $58,849 – $176,547
• Median household income in metro area: $80,733 ($77,588 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $91,665 — 10th highest of 50 states ($88,273 cost of living adjusted — 8th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Connecticut: 3.7% higher than average (3.90% higher than average in Connecticut metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Connecticut: 5

Delaware: Dover

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $48,970 – $146,909
• Middle income range for households statewide: $54,620 – $163,861
• Median household income in metro area: $72,910 ($73,455 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $81,361 — 16th highest of 50 states ($81,931 cost of living adjusted — 17th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Delaware: 0.7% lower than average (0.75% lower than average in Delaware metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Delaware: 1

Florida: Sebring

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $32,842 – $98,526
• Middle income range for households statewide: $47,163 – $141,490
• Median household income in metro area: $51,165 ($49,263 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $73,311 — 21st lowest of 50 states ($70,745 cost of living adjusted — 9th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Florida: 3.5% higher than average (3.72% higher than average in Florida metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Florida: 22

Georgia: Albany

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $35,959 – $107,877
• Middle income range for households statewide: $51,397 – $154,190
• Median household income in metro area: $53,056 ($53,938 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $74,632 — 25th highest of 50 states ($77,095 cost of living adjusted — 22nd lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Georgia: 3.3% lower than average (1.66% lower than average in Georgia metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Georgia: 14

Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $50,397 – $151,191
• Middle income range for households statewide: $58,083 – $174,249
• Median household income in metro area: $83,691 ($75,596 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $95,322 — 6th highest of 50 states ($87,124 cost of living adjusted — 9th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Hawaii: 8.6% higher than average (9.67% higher than average in Hawaii metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Hawaii: 2

Idaho: Twin Falls

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $47,286 – $141,858
• Middle income range for households statewide: $54,258 – $162,774
• Median household income in metro area: $66,078 ($70,929 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $74,942 — 24th highest of 50 states ($81,387 cost of living adjusted — 19th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Idaho: 8.6% lower than average (7.34% lower than average in Idaho metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Idaho: 6

Illinois: Decatur

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $38,767 – $116,300
• Middle income range for households statewide: $54,126 – $162,379
• Median household income in metro area: $58,297 ($58,150 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $80,306 — 18th highest of 50 states ($81,189 cost of living adjusted — 20th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Illinois: 1.1% lower than average (0.25% higher than average in Illinois metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Illinois: 8

Indiana: Terre Haute

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $36,250 – $108,751
• Middle income range for households statewide: $49,931 – $149,792
• Median household income in metro area: $50,992 ($54,375 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $69,477 — 14th lowest of 50 states ($74,896 cost of living adjusted — 15th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Indiana: 7.8% lower than average (6.64% lower than average in Indiana metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Indiana: 12

Iowa: Waterloo-Cedar Falls

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $45,323 – $135,969
• Middle income range for households statewide: $52,956 – $158,867
• Median household income in metro area: $62,381 ($67,985 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $71,433 — 18th lowest of 50 states ($79,433 cost of living adjusted — 23rd highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Iowa: 11.2% lower than average (8.98% lower than average in Iowa metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Iowa: 8

Kansas: Manhattan

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $45,481 – $136,444
• Middle income range for households statewide: $51,578 – $154,733
• Median household income in metro area: $63,033 ($68,222 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $70,333 — 15th lowest of 50 states ($77,366 cost of living adjusted — 23rd lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Kansas: 10.0% lower than average (8.23% lower than average in Kansas metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Kansas: 4

Kentucky: Bowling Green

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $43,312 – $129,937
• Middle income range for households statewide: $44,616 – $133,848
• Median household income in metro area: $60,620 ($64,968 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $61,118 — 5th lowest of 50 states ($66,924 cost of living adjusted — 5th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Kentucky: 9.5% lower than average (7.17% lower than average in Kentucky metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Kentucky: 6

Louisiana: Monroe

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $37,141 – $111,422
• Middle income range for households statewide: $43,361 – $130,084
• Median household income in metro area: $50,286 ($55,711 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $58,229 — 3rd lowest of 50 states ($65,042 cost of living adjusted — 3rd lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Louisiana: 11.7% lower than average (10.79% lower than average in Louisiana metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Louisiana: 10

Maine: Lewiston-Auburn

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $41,733 – $125,199
• Middle income range for households statewide: $50,581 – $151,743
• Median household income in metro area: $63,404 ($62,599 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $73,733 — 22nd lowest of 50 states ($75,871 cost of living adjusted — 19th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Maine: 2.9% lower than average (1.27% higher than average in Maine metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Maine: 3

Maryland: Salisbury

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $45,015 – $135,046
• Middle income range for households statewide: $63,154 – $189,462
• Median household income in metro area: $70,528 ($67,523 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $98,678 — 3rd highest of 50 states ($94,731 cost of living adjusted — 2nd highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Maryland: 4.0% higher than average (4.26% higher than average in Maryland metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Maryland: 4

Massachusetts: Springfield

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $40,989 – $122,968
• Middle income range for households statewide: $61,113 – $183,339
• Median household income in metro area: $66,997 ($61,484 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $99,858 — the highest of 50 states ($91,670 cost of living adjusted — 4th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Massachusetts: 8.2% higher than average (8.23% higher than average in Massachusetts metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Massachusetts: 6

Michigan: Battle Creek

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $39,947 – $119,840
• Middle income range for households statewide: $48,797 – $146,391
• Median household income in metro area: $57,514 ($59,920 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $69,183 — 13th lowest of 50 states ($73,196 cost of living adjusted — 12th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Michigan: 5.8% lower than average (4.18% lower than average in Michigan metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Michigan: 15

Minnesota: Mankato

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $45,186 – $135,558
• Middle income range for households statewide: $57,632 – $172,895
• Median household income in metro area: $69,016 ($67,779 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $85,086 — 13th highest of 50 states ($86,447 cost of living adjusted — 11th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Minnesota: 1.6% lower than average (1.79% higher than average in Minnesota metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Minnesota: 5

Mississippi: Hattiesburg

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $40,355 – $121,065
• Middle income range for households statewide: $40,725 – $122,174
• Median household income in metro area: $55,336 ($60,533 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $54,203 — the lowest of 50 states ($61,087 cost of living adjusted — the lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Mississippi: 12.7% lower than average (9.39% lower than average in Mississippi metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Mississippi: 3

Missouri: Joplin

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $40,955 – $122,865
• Middle income range for households statewide: $49,444 – $148,331
• Median household income in metro area: $57,887 ($61,433 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $68,545 — 12th lowest of 50 states ($74,166 cost of living adjusted — 14th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Missouri: 8.2% lower than average (6.13% lower than average in Missouri metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Missouri: 8

Montana: Great Falls

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $48,115 – $144,345
• Middle income range for households statewide: $51,829 – $155,486
• Median household income in metro area: $66,454 ($72,172 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $70,804 — 17th lowest of 50 states ($77,743 cost of living adjusted — 24th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Montana: 9.8% lower than average (8.61% lower than average in Montana metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Montana: 5

Nebraska: Grand Island

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $50,879 – $152,638
• Middle income range for households statewide: $54,500 – $163,501
• Median household income in metro area: $70,919 ($76,319 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $74,590 — 24th lowest of 50 states ($81,751 cost of living adjusted — 18th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Nebraska: 9.6% lower than average (7.61% lower than average in Nebraska metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Nebraska: 3

Nevada: Carson City

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $50,013 – $150,039
• Middle income range for households statewide: $52,437 – $157,310
• Median household income in metro area: $73,077 ($75,019 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $76,364 — 22nd highest of 50 states ($78,655 cost of living adjusted — 25th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Nevada: 3.0% lower than average (2.66% lower than average in Nevada metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Nevada: 3

New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $63,788 – $191,364
• Middle income range for households statewide: $61,137 – $183,411
• Median household income in metro area: $103,727 ($95,682 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $96,838 — 4th highest of 50 states ($91,706 cost of living adjusted — 3rd highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in New Hampshire: 5.3% higher than average (7.76% higher than average in New Hampshire metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in New Hampshire: 1

New Jersey: Vineland

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $39,428 – $118,284
• Middle income range for households statewide: $60,600 – $181,801
• Median household income in metro area: $64,908 ($59,142 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $99,781 — 2nd highest of 50 states ($90,900 cost of living adjusted — 6th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in New Jersey: 8.9% higher than average (8.88% higher than average in New Jersey metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in New Jersey: 3

New Mexico: Las Cruces

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $40,600 – $121,800
• Middle income range for households statewide: $45,497 – $136,491
• Median household income in metro area: $56,451 ($60,900 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $62,268 — 8th lowest of 50 states ($68,246 cost of living adjusted — 6th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in New Mexico: 9.6% lower than average (7.88% lower than average in New Mexico metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in New Mexico: 4

New York: Elmira

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $36,289 – $108,867
• Middle income range for households statewide: $50,571 – $151,712
• Median household income in metro area: $59,617 ($54,433 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $82,095 — 15th highest of 50 states ($75,856 cost of living adjusted — 18th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in New York: 7.6% higher than average (8.69% higher than average in New York metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in New York: 13

North Carolina: Goldsboro

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $38,704 – $116,113
• Middle income range for households statewide: $49,988 – $149,963
• Median household income in metro area: $55,461 ($58,057 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $70,804 — 17th lowest of 50 states ($74,981 cost of living adjusted — 16th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in North Carolina: 5.9% lower than average (4.68% lower than average in North Carolina metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in North Carolina: 15

North Dakota: Grand Forks

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $52,748 – $158,245
• Middle income range for households statewide: $56,833 – $170,498
• Median household income in metro area: $71,529 ($79,123 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $76,525 — 21st highest of 50 states ($85,249 cost of living adjusted — 12th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in North Dakota: 11.4% lower than average (10.62% lower than average in North Dakota metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in North Dakota: 4

Ohio: Youngstown-Warren

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $36,726 – $110,178
• Middle income range for households statewide: $48,884 – $146,652
• Median household income in metro area: $51,350 ($55,089 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $67,769 — 10th lowest of 50 states ($73,326 cost of living adjusted — 13th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Ohio: 8.2% lower than average (7.28% lower than average in Ohio metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Ohio: 12

Oklahoma: Lawton

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $41,529 – $124,588
• Middle income range for households statewide: $46,272 – $138,816
• Median household income in metro area: $56,680 ($62,294 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $62,138 — 6th lowest of 50 states ($69,408 cost of living adjusted — 8th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Oklahoma: 11.7% lower than average (9.91% lower than average in Oklahoma metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Oklahoma: 4

Oregon: Grants Pass

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $40,390 – $121,171
• Middle income range for households statewide: $50,928 – $152,785
• Median household income in metro area: $64,170 ($60,585 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $80,160 — 19th highest of 50 states ($76,392 cost of living adjusted — 20th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Oregon: 4.7% higher than average (5.59% higher than average in Oregon metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Oregon: 8

Pennsylvania: Altoona

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $36,573 – $109,720
• Middle income range for households statewide: $50,446 – $151,339
• Median household income in metro area: $54,002 ($54,860 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $73,824 — 23rd lowest of 50 states ($75,670 cost of living adjusted — 17th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Pennsylvania: 2.5% lower than average (1.59% lower than average in Pennsylvania metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Pennsylvania: 16

Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $54,769 – $164,307
• Middle income range for households statewide: $55,855 – $167,565
• Median household income in metro area: $83,330 ($82,153 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $84,972 — 14th highest of 50 states ($83,782 cost of living adjusted — 15th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Rhode Island: 1.4% higher than average (1.41% higher than average in Rhode Island metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Rhode Island: 1

South Carolina: Florence

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $35,245 – $105,736
• Middle income range for households statewide: $48,276 – $144,829
• Median household income in metro area: $49,974 ($52,868 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $67,804 — 11th lowest of 50 states ($72,415 cost of living adjusted — 10th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in South Carolina: 6.8% lower than average (5.79% lower than average in South Carolina metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in South Carolina: 8

South Dakota: Sioux Falls

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $55,825 – $167,476
• Middle income range for households statewide: $53,570 – $160,711
• Median household income in metro area: $76,226 ($83,738 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $71,810 — 19th lowest of 50 states ($80,355 cost of living adjusted — 21st highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in South Dakota: 11.9% lower than average (9.86% lower than average in South Dakota metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in South Dakota: 2

Tennessee: Kingsport-Bristol

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $37,938 – $113,815
• Middle income range for households statewide: $48,469 – $145,407
• Median household income in metro area: $53,794 ($56,908 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $67,631 — 9th lowest of 50 states ($72,703 cost of living adjusted — 11th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Tennessee: 7.5% lower than average (5.79% lower than average in Tennessee metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Tennessee: 10

Texas: Eagle Pass

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $31,666 – $94,999
• Middle income range for households statewide: $51,935 – $155,804
• Median household income in metro area: $46,657 ($47,500 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $75,780 — 23rd highest of 50 states ($77,902 cost of living adjusted — 25th lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Texas: 2.8% lower than average (1.81% lower than average in Texas metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Texas: 26

Utah: St. George

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $53,898 – $161,693
• Middle income range for households statewide: $65,395 – $196,184
• Median household income in metro area: $77,480 ($80,847 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $93,421 — 8th highest of 50 states ($98,092 cost of living adjusted — the highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Utah: 5.0% lower than average (4.35% lower than average in Utah metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Utah: 5

Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $63,690 – $191,070
• Middle income range for households statewide: $55,981 – $167,944
• Median household income in metro area: $95,497 ($95,535 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $81,211 — 17th highest of 50 states ($83,972 cost of living adjusted — 14th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Vermont: 3.4% lower than average (0.04% higher than average in Vermont metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Vermont: 1

Virginia: Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $40,010 – $120,030
• Middle income range for households statewide: $59,534 – $178,603
• Median household income in metro area: $61,309 ($60,015 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $89,931 — 11th highest of 50 states ($89,301 cost of living adjusted — 7th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Virginia: 0.7% higher than average (2.11% higher than average in Virginia metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Virginia: 9

Washington: Yakima

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $41,920 – $125,761
• Middle income range for households statewide: $57,646 – $172,938
• Median household income in metro area: $69,525 ($62,880 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $94,605 — 7th highest of 50 states ($86,469 cost of living adjusted — 10th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Washington: 8.6% higher than average (9.56% higher than average in Washington metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Washington: 11

West Virginia: Beckley

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $38,110 – $114,330
• Middle income range for households statewide: $41,103 – $123,309
• Median household income in metro area: $52,437 ($57,165 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $55,948 — 2nd lowest of 50 states ($61,655 cost of living adjusted — 2nd lowest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in West Virginia: 10.2% lower than average (9.02% lower than average in West Virginia metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in West Virginia: 7

Wisconsin: Oshkosh-Neenah

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $49,207 – $147,620
• Middle income range for households statewide: $53,187 – $159,561
• Median household income in metro area: $69,957 ($73,810 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $74,631 — 25th lowest of 50 states ($79,781 cost of living adjusted — 22nd highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Wisconsin: 6.9% lower than average (5.51% lower than average in Wisconsin metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Wisconsin: 13

Wyoming: Casper

• Middle income range for households in metro area: $53,052 – $159,155
• Middle income range for households statewide: $52,718 – $158,154
• Median household income in metro area: $73,203 ($79,578 cost of living adjusted)
• Median household income in state: $72,415 — 20th lowest of 50 states ($79,077 cost of living adjusted — 24th highest of 50 states)
• Avg. cost of living in Wyoming: 9.2% lower than average (8.71% lower than average in Wyoming metro areas)
• Number of metro areas considered in Wyoming: 2

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