What is the annual income of the upper middle class in the United States in 2026? The latest data tells you.

Want to know if you qualify as an upper-middle class? This identification label is not that simple. Income is just one aspect; where you live, how you live, and local housing prices and costs of living will all affect your class division.

Core Data

According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Pew Research Center, the median household income in the United States is $74,580.

Income Range of Upper Middle Class (2026):

• Yahoo Finance defines: $106,000 - $250,000
• CNBC data: $104,000 - $153,000
• Typical range: $117,000 - $150,000 (This range can be considered upper middle class in most cities)

Simple algorithm: The boundary for upper middle class is basically between 2/3 to 2 times the median income.

The regional differences are huge

Same income, but the living standards in different states vary significantly:

• Mississippi: $85,424 - $109,830 = Upper Middle Class
• Maryland: At least $158,126 is required to be considered upper middle class.

Housing prices, local job opportunities, cost of living, and tax rates are all determining factors.

Price will increase in 2026

The expected inflation rate is 2.6%, and the core inflation rate is 2.8%—what does this mean? Daily expenses continue to rise, and to maintain the same standard of living, one needs to earn more money. In other words, the income threshold defining “upper middle class” may need to be adjusted upward next year.

Do you consider yourself upper middle class?

If your annual income is $117,000-$150,000, you are likely considered upper middle class in most states. However, it also depends on the number of family members, mortgage, and local prices. In a nutshell: how much you earn still depends on how expensive it is to spend.