Decoding Income Brackets: What Qualifies as Upper-Middle Class Across US Midwest States

Understanding where your household income places you within America’s social hierarchy depends significantly on geography. Across the Midwest region, the financial threshold that separates those comfortably established in the middle class from those entering the upper-middle class tier clusters around $116,000 annually—though this benchmark shifts meaningfully from state to state.

GOBankingRates applied the Pew Research Center’s income classification framework—defining middle class as earnings between two-thirds and double the median household income in each region—to map exactly where these economic dividing lines fall. The findings reveal substantial variation across Midwestern states, with implications for how residents should evaluate their financial standing.

The Midwest Income Landscape

Minnesota leads the region with the highest thresholds. This state’s median household income stands at $87,556, establishing a middle-class range of $58,371 to $175,112. The upper-middle class designation begins at $136,198—the highest entry point in the Midwest. This reflects Minnesota’s stronger overall economic performance compared to neighboring states.

North Dakota and Nebraska follow closely behind. North Dakota’s median hits $75,949, with upper-middle class status kicking in at $118,143. Nebraska’s median household income of $74,985 positions its upper-middle class threshold at $116,643, nearly matching the regional average.

Mid-Range Performers

Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kansas cluster in the middle band. Wisconsin’s $75,670 median household income establishes an upper-middle class boundary at $117,709. Iowa, with a $73,147 median, sets its threshold at $113,784. Kansas ($72,639 median) marks upper-middle class at $112,994.

South Dakota and Michigan present similar profiles. South Dakota’s median household income of $72,421 corresponds to an upper-middle class income beginning at $112,655. Michigan, at $71,149 median, places the upper-middle class threshold at $110,676.

Lower-Income Thresholds

Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri have the most accessible entry points into upper-middle class status within the Midwest. Indiana’s median household income of $70,051 means upper-middle class begins at $108,968. Ohio ($69,680 median) establishes this mark at $108,391. Missouri, with the region’s lowest median at $68,920, sets an upper-middle class income floor of $107,209.

Illinois stands apart with the highest income requirements. Despite having a higher median household income of $81,702, Illinois’s middle-class range extends to $163,404, with upper-middle class status beginning at a substantial $127,092. This reflects both higher median earnings and greater income inequality within the state.

What This Means for Midwest Residents

The data underscores a fundamental economic reality: where you live in the US significantly impacts what income level qualifies you as upper-middle class. A $115,000 household income might represent solid upper-middle class status in Missouri or Ohio, but would only place you at the threshold in Minnesota or in the middle-class range in Illinois.

For those seeking to understand their economic positioning or planning major financial decisions like relocation, these state-by-state benchmarks provide concrete reference points. The variation also highlights regional economic disparities and different costs of living across the Midwest.

Data sourced from the US Census American Community Survey, reflecting household income statistics current as of January 2025. Classifications follow Pew Research Center’s established methodology for middle-class income determination.