In California, the minimum household income required to be considered middle class stands at approximately $61,000 annually, with the full middle-class range extending up to around $184,000 per year. This threshold reflects the state’s elevated cost of living, driven by housing, transportation, and everyday expenses that far exceed national averages.
In 2026, California households need to earn between roughly $61,000 and $184,000 annually to qualify as middle class, based on…