Here’s how much Oregonians should earn to be considered middle-class
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How much do you need to earn to be a middle-class household in Oregon?
SmartAsset, an online financial advice platform, conducted a study that examined income ranges to determine what qualifies as middle class across the United States based on data from the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau.
The report defines middle‑class households as those earning between two‑thirds and twice their area’s median income. Based on that range, the income necessary to be considered middle-class can differ significantly from one region to another.
“As the median household income varies widely across the U.S. depending on the local job market, housing market, infrastructure and other factors, so does the range of what constitutes a middle‑class income in America,” according to SmartAsset.
Here’s how much money Oregonians need to earn to be considered middle-class.
How much money should you make to be considered middle class in Oregon?
Oregon’s median household income is $85,220, which creates a wide middle‑class range.
Households that earn at least $56,813 fall into the lower end of the middle‑income bracket, while those earning up to $179,440 fall within the higher end, according to SmartAsset.
The study also ranked 100 of the largest U.S. cities to determine where people had to earn more money in to be considered middle class. Portland ranked 25th.
The median household income in Portland is $91,478, which means households that earn between $60,985 and $182,956 are considered middle class.
How does Oregon’s middle-class income compare to other states?
Oregon ranked 16th among states for the income necessary to qualify as middle class.
Massachusetts had the highest threshold in SmartAsset’s study, with a median income of $104,828 and a middle‑class range of $69,885 to $209,656.
Ohio had the lowest middle‑class threshold, with a median income of $59,127 and a middle‑class range of $39,418 to $118,254.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval is a lifelong Oregonian who covers trending news, entertainment, food and outdoors. She can be reached at GSandoval@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.