As the cost of living continues to rise, more and more Americans are finding middle-class status increasingly difficult to attain and sustain.
But what does it mean to be middle class? The Pew Research Center defines the middle class as households earning between two-thirds and twice the national median household income. But because states have different costs of living and minimum wage levels, the income needed to be considered middle class varies state-to-state.
SmartAsset, a financial advisor site, analyzed income data to determine what it takes to be considered middle class in each state and the 100 largest U.S. cities. The study used 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data and Pew Research Center's definition of middle-class income.
Here's how much you
need to make to be considered middle class in Missouri.
What is considered middle class in Missouri?
A Missouri household needs an income of at least $47,726 to be considered middle class, according to SmartAsset's data.
This puts the state's middle-class income range between $47,726 and $143,178, with a median household income of $71,589. Missouri ranked No. 42 among the 50 states for the amount of income needed to qualify as middle class.
Both St. Louis and Kansas City are among the 100 largest U.S. cities with the lowest income thresholds for middle-class households in the country.
How much do you need to be middle class in St. Louis?
St. Louis ranked No. 96 on SmartAsset's list, with a middle-class income range of $53,374 to $106,748, and a median household income of $35,583.
How much do you need to be middle class in Kansas City?
Kansas City, meanwhile, ranked higher at No. 70, with a middle-class income range of $69,958 to $139,916 and a median household income of $46,639.
What is the cost of living in Missouri?
Financial independence site SoFi.com found that the average yearly cost of living throughout Missouri is about $52,097, making it one of the affordable states in the country.
This included $7,731 for housing and utilities, $9,374 for healthcare, $3,975 for food and beverages, excluding restaurants, $2,020 for gasoline and energy goods and $28,996 for all other personal expenses.
How much does it cost to buy a house in Missouri? To rent?
A report from the housing website Zillow found that the typical Missouri home was worth $268,420 in 2026. At the same time, renters paid a median of $1,395 per month across all property types in the state.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Are you middle class in Missouri? Here's how much you need to make
