Here’s How Much Money It Takes In MN To Be Middle Class

MINNESOTA — About half of Americans are part of the middle class, but what it takes to be considered middle class isn’t the same in Minnesota as it is in other places, according to a recent study.

“Middle class” is an inherently nebulous definition. The Pew Research Center defines people in the middle class as those whose incomes are between two-thirds and double the national median household income. Overall, nearly 20 percent of Americans have upper-class incomes, 28 percent have lower-class incomes and the vast majority fall into the middle class.

Because the cost of living and average incomes vary so widely from state to state, the income needed to be “middle class” also greatly varies. Using Pew’s definition of the middle class, online banking company GOBanking.com analyzed the most recent American Community Survey data to determine middle-class income for every state in 2025.

The Pew Research Center’s middle-class income calculator shows differences by metro area and by race or ethnicity, age, and gender.

Here's how Minnesota stacks up against its neighboring states:

Minnesota

• Median household income: $84,313
• Lowest end of middle-class income: $56,208
• Highest end of middle-class income: $168,626

Wisconsin

• Median household income: $72,458
• Lowest end of middle-class income: $48,305
• Highest end of middle-class income: $144,916

Iowa

• Median household income: $70,571
• Lowest end of middle-class income: $47,047
• The highest end of middle-class income:$141,142

North Dakota

• Median household income: $73,959
• Lowest end of middle-class income: $49,306
• Highest end of middle-class income: $147,918

South Dakota

• Median household income: $69,457
• Lowest end of middle-class income: $46,304
• Highest end of middle-class income: $138,914