Rising bills for basics such as food and housing have made "middle class" feel harder to pin down for many families.
An income analysis has suggested that the minimum household income to qualify for that status in New York starts at $57,213.
Here's what to know
As lohud reported, SmartAsset relied on 2024 one-year American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau to estimate middle-class earnings in every state and the 100 largest U.S. cities. The company used Pew Research Center's formula, which defines middle class as households earning between two-thirds and twice a place's median household income.
Applying that method to New York produced a middle-class band of $57,213 to $171,640, based on a statewide median household income of $85,820.
SmartAsset's state comparison placed New York 15th by the median income associated with middle-class status, behind Massachusetts at $104,828 and New Jersey at $104,294.
The numbers shift sharply depending on where people live. In Buffalo, which ranked 98th among the nation's 100 largest cities, middle-class households earn from $34,807 to $104,422, with a median of $52,211. In New York City, the reported range was $54,152 to $162,456, with a median of $81,228.
For homeowners looking to make their earnings go further, easing monthly bills could help. For example, going solar is one of the best ways to save money on home energy. You can check out EnergySage for free solar panel installation estimates and to compare quotes.
More background
The study measured middle class relative to what people in a given place typically earn, not necessarily what any one family needs to feel financially secure. That helps to explain why New York City's threshold can still look lower than the statewide cutoff even though the city's cost of living is famously high.
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What that label covers in daily life can include paying for a home, building an emergency cushion, putting money toward retirement, helping support children, and still having room for an occasional vacation.
A salary that stretches much further in Buffalo may feel far tighter in the five boroughs or nearby suburbs, especially once rent or mortgage payments, child care, transportation, and utility bills are taken into account.
What can be done?
Energy spending is one area where some homeowners may be able to lower costs, especially if they plan to stay in the same home for years.
EnergySage's free services can help make that process easier. With EnergySage's help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations.
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EnergySage's solar map also shows the average cost of a home solar panel system on a state-by-state level, along with details on solar panel incentives in each state. Together, these resources can help readers get the best price for rooftop solar panels.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners who want to learn more can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
For many families, it is another reminder that where they live plays a major role in how far their income can actually go.
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