Increasingly, as wages generally fail to keep up with rousing costs of living, Americans are struggling to stay within the ranks of the middle class. In 1971, 61% of Americans lived in middle-class households. By 2023, that percentage dropped to 51%, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center analysis of government data.
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You may think you’re definitely below the middle-class earnings tier, but could you be wrong? Depending on where you live, possibly. In some cities you can manage a middle-class life making far less than the 2025 national median salary ($62,192). And we’re talking about big cities, too.
GOBankingRates looked at the 50 biggest (in terms of total households) where one can still be considered middle class making under $25,000. Turns out, there are 11 major metros where this is possible.
11. Gary, Ohio
- Median household income: $37,380
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,920
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $74,760
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10. Saginaw, Michigan
- Median household income: $37,298
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,865
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $74,596
9. Warren, Ohio
- Median household income: $36,955
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,637
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $73,910
8. Monroe, Louisiana
- Median household income: $36,521
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,347
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $73,042
7. University, Florida
- Median household income: $36,483
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,322
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $72,966
6. Greenville, Mississippi
- Median household income: $36,297
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,198
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $72,594
5. Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Median household income: $36,220
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,147
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $72,440
4. Flint, Michigan
- Median household income: $36,194
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $24,129
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $72,388
3. Youngstown, Ohio
- Median household income: $34,746
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $23,164
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $69,492
2. Meridian, Mississippi
- Median household income: $34,657
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $23,105
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $69,314
1. West Lafayette, Indiana
- Median household income: $33,497
- Lowest end of the middle-class spectrum: $22,331
- Highest end of the middle-class spectrum: $66,994
Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates looked at the 50 biggest (in terms of total households) where one can still be considered middle class while making under $25,000. This means that since middle-class income is generally defined as two-thirds to double the income of a given area, to be considered the city’s median household income had to be $60,000 or below. GOBankingRates decided to take a look at the 50 largest cities that fit this criteria. All income data was sourced from the 2023 American Community Survey and is up to date as of June 11, 2025.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 11 Cities Where Even Making Under $25K Can Be Considered Middle Class
