Middle Class Income versus Middle Class Housing

Middle class income has not kept pace with the price of middle class housing.

The middle class is a household with income that is at least two-thirds of the U.S. median income to double the median income. Middle class would be a range of incomes from $49,720 to $149,160, based on Census Bureau data for 2022.   In 2022, about 51% of American households are middle class.

Middle class would be a range of incomes from $17,710 to $35,420, based on Census Bureau data for 1980.  

To see the range of incomes for middle class household see What Middle-Class Income Has Looked Like Every Year Since 1980 in both that year's dollars and 2024 dollars.

Median house price in 1980  $64,600 or 1.82X - 3.62X of middle class income

Median house price in 2022  $428,700 or 2.87X - 8.62X of middle class income.

Yikes.   Middle class income growth is significantly behind middle class housing price growth.   That is the major economic issue for those entering the workforce in the past few years.

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This is not financial advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

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