On AVERAGE, how much does one need to earn in the USA to partake in an UPPER-middle class lifestyle?

Question

I know to really be considered upper-middle class, one usually needs to be educated beyond a Bachelors Degree and work in a profession such as a doctor, lawyer, university professor, architect, or be a high level manager or own a large business. However, these people are usually in simmilar income brackets which affords them the opportunity to live a lifestyle somewhat rich in luxury and enough disposable income to buy more freedom and independence most working-class or middle-class don't enjoy. Again, I am not speaking of the wealthy here; rather I am discussing the upper-middle class or what is sometimes called the professional-managerial class. What income levels in America would put somebody within this classes range of lifestyle in an average American city. I know New York, Boston, Frisco and LA would be significantly higher than say places like Chicago or Detroit, but a simple range would be great. Thanks!

Answer 1

On average the upper middle class earn over $140,000.00 per year not to exceed $ 200,000.00 per year.

Answer 2

Well, it varies be $50,000 dollars in some parts of Mississippi to over $200,000 dollars in California. Better to live within your means and higher your income the less stable that income is because thier always someone willing to do job cheaper, and better than you, but that nature of the economy. People all over America, UK, Austraila all live beyond thier means materalism, and keeping up with the Jonses destorys soical well being of the people. The goverment empathsis on growing economy at the expense of keeping social and mental well being is determental to society. Also, playing class warfare with wages, and making people class consious is a diservice by the liberally baised emdia at times. There more to life than making 200k a year or owning the biggest house. Family, freinds, community, quality of life is put on hold by some chasing money that provides diminshing sense of happiness. People make high income they become habitiated to the amount of money and still are worse off emotionally, mentally than a lot of working class people.

Answer 3

That's a pretty subjective judgment, but I'd say about $90,000 for an individual, or $150,000 for a married household, in a average-cost area, unless you have tons of debt dragging you down.

However, I'd take issue with your talk of freedom and independence. Almost by definition an upper-middle class person is going to be a professional who probably works far more hours per week than an average worker, or is a business owner who is probably totally consumed with their own business. These people are not goldbrickers or lazy unionists -- I guess it depends on what you mean by freedom.

Answer 4

I would say a combined yearly household income of at least $150,000 in the Southwestern PA area to be considered upper middle class... to be middle class it would be at least $85,000 in this area. Jobs are scarce but houses are expen$ive here.

Answer 5

In the Boston area, at least $100,000

Answer 6

I live in Louisiana so you would need to make $60,000 a year.

Answer 7

I'm in Oklahoma, and my parents live pretty well on $75,000 a year.

Answer 8

$100,000.00 per year.

Answer 9

$125,000