If you live in Washington, how much is a middle class income? New study reveals the range

People throw around the term middle class loosely, but what are the exact parameters of the middle class in Washington state? A new study from personal finance resource website SmartAsset aimed to find the answer.

SmartAsset recently released the latest edition of its annual “what it takes to be middle class in America” study, which attempts to define the middle class for each U.S. state.

The study uses U.S. Census Bureau data and follows the Pew Research Center’s definition of middle income, which ranges from two-thirds to double an area’s median household income.

Middle class in Washington state

According to the study, in Washington state you need a household income of at least $63,064 to be considered middle class. Once you make over $189,210, you reach the upper-income category. Those numbers both increased from last year, when they were $60,865 and $182,612, respectively.

The barrier for entry to Washington’s middle class is the seventh-highest in the country, although that’s just a product of the state having the seventh-highest median income at $94,605. Nationally, the median household income is $80,610, meaning the barrier to enter the middle class, is around $53,767.

The SmartAsset study also included the income range needed to be considered middle class in 100 of the biggest cities in the country. Seattle ranked sixth among major cities, with its middle class starting at $80,397 in annual household income. Spokane was towards the other end of the list, with a middle class income starting at $43,340.

Middle class in other WA cities

While the SmartAsset study only included two Washington cities, you can use Pew Research’s income range calculator to find out if your annual income is in your city’s middle class. The calculator is based on 2022 data, so it’s not entirely up to date, but you can get a sense of how you compare to other residents in your city.

Cost of living in WA

So you need to make $63,064 to be in Washington’s middle class, but does that amount allow you to live comfortably?

The study used Washington’s median household income to determine its middle class ranking, meaning it doesn’t necessarily reflect the cost of living in the state. Washington does not have a state income tax, and the average combined state and local sales taxes are on the high end at 9.38%. There is also no statewide cap on how much rent can be increased, though some cities have limits. Property taxes are a little below the national average.

According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s living wage calculator, a living wage for one person living on their own is $26.36 an hour, or $54,824 a year. For a four-person household with two working adults, that number rises to $33.40 an hour each, or $138,944 total a year.

This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM.