PENNSYLVANIA – The definition of middle class in the United States is always evolving, and changes drastically from state to state.

With cost of living and salary as two major factors, are you considered middle class where you live?

By the numbers:

A recent study revealed the lowest income needed to be considered middle class in each state, ranging from $39,418 to $69,885 — more than a $30,000 difference!

In Pennsylvania, you need to earn at least $51,697 this year, which is nearly $2,500 more than last year. The upper-middle class income range for Pennsylvania is more than double: $120,626 to $155,090.

Those numbers are even higher in New Jersey, which ranks as the second-hardest state to enter the middle class.

This year, New Jersey residents must make at least $69,529 to be considered middle class — a $3,015 increase from last year. To be upper-middle class in New Jersey, residents’ income has to range from $162,235 to $208,588.

Delaware falls in the middle with the lowest income of $58,356 and an upper-middle class range of $136,164 to $175,068.

Big picture view:

Mississippi is the easiest state to be considered middle class, while Massachusetts is the hardest.

Massachusetts

• Upper-middle class income range: $163,066 to $209,656
• Lowest income to be middle class: $69,885

Mississippi

• Upper-middle class income range: $91,975 to $118,254
• Lowest income to be middle class: $39,418

Dig deeper:

The Pew Research Center defines “middle class” as earning an income between two-thirds and twice the national median income, falling between the socio-economic hierarchy of the working class and upper class.

About half of the adults in the United States considered themselves to be part of the middle class in 2022, according to a Gallup survey.