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.

• Delaware resident DJ Jazzy Jeff is an official music ambassador for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
• The music is part of a FIFA initiative to connect the tournament to the culture of each host city.
• DJ Jazzy Jeff is a hip-hop legend and Grammy winner.

Delaware resident DJ Jazzy Jeff, the same Grammy winner who played Will Smith’s bestie on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” sitcom, will bring the First State to Philadelphia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer. 

The West Philly native – best known for teaming up with Will Smith and forming the 1980s dynamic duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – is an official FIFA music ambassador for the World Cup.  

DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey Allen Townes) lives in Bear, and he produced a Social ID (or branded music) that soccer fans will hear when FIFA games are broadcast from Philly at Lincoln Financial Field (home of the Philadelphia Eagles) from June 14 to July 4. (The entire FIFA World Cup tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.).

DJ Jazzy Jeff talks FIFA World Cup 2026 music: ‘It’s an honor’

FIFA teamed up with influential producers from well over a dozen host cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada to tie the soccer tournament to each city’s culture, giving World Cup fans and visitors a preview with a taste of audio flavor for each place they’ll experience before these games. 

Philly is one of the World Cup host cities across the U.S., and Jazzy Jeff collaborated with Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the nonprofit organization that is the operational host committee tasked with planning and delivering the World Cup to Philly this summer. 

Fans will be able to download the Social IDs on Apple, Spotify, and other platforms, according to FIFA.

Delaware plans World Cup watch parties: Here’s the schedule

“Music has the power to bring people together and transport them to a specific time and place. My hope is that this Sonic ID is representative of the experience of Philadelphia, inside a stadium packed to the brim with passionate fans,” the Firefly Music Festival alum said in a 2025 statement. “It’s an honor to be part of the FIFA World Cup 26™ journey and I can’t wait for the world to feel the energy of Philly in 2026!” 

Music from the Social ID Jazzy Jeff and other artists delivered will be played in stadiums, during broadcasts, across digital platforms throughout the tournament, and at FIFA Fan Festivals, which are entertainment hubs for watch parties and performances.