AAPL

TSLA

AMZN

A Six-Figure Income Is ‘Lower-Middle Class’ in These High-Cost Cities

November 26, 2025 — 08:00 am EST

Written by Heather Taylor for GOBankingRates->

A six-figure income may be enough to live comfortably in some places, but this amount is considered lower-middle class in 50 popular cities with high cost of living. This is especially pronounced in three major Silicon Valley hubs in Northern California.

Discover More: GOBankingRates Original Research Center

Find Out: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires — and How You Can, Too

GOBankingRates referred to the Pew Research Center’s definition of middle class as two-thirds to double the median household income to determine the cities where a six-figure income is considered lower-middle class.

Key factors for cities with at least 100,000 total population, including the median household income and livability index, were factored in, and the middle-class income range was calculated and divided into thirds to find the lower-middle class income range.

May 11, 2018 Santa Clara / CA / USA - Sunset view of the street and surrounding buildings near Levi's Stadium in south San Francisco bay area - Image.

Key Findings

A six-figure income is considered lower-middle class in 26 California cities. The minimum lower-middle class income is $115,000 in the top three: Sunnyvale, Fremont and Santa Clara.
A six-figure income is lower-middle class in 28 West Coast cities, the most out of any U.S. region. Those cities are Sunnyvale (#1), Fremont (#2), Santa Clara (#3), Bellevue (#4), San Mateo (#6), San Jose (#9), San Francisco (#10), Carlsbad (#12), Thousand Oaks (#15), Irvine (#16), Elk Grove (#23), Seattle (#24), Santa Clarita (#27), Huntington Beach (#28), Daly City (#30), Temecula (#31), Simi Valley (#32), Roseville (#33), Orange (#34), Hayward (#35), Torrance (#38), Costa Mesa (#41), Murrieta (#42), Rancho Cucamonga (#43), Concord (#44), Vacaville (#46), Berkeley (#47) and Corona (#50).
No Florida cities ranked in the top 50.

Here are the 50 high-cost cities where a six-figure income is considered lower-middle class, ranked from highest median household income.

Plus, see what lower-middle class paychecks would look like in every state if President Donald Trump were to end the federal income tax.

See More: 25 Most Livable Cities for Middle-Class Families

View Next: The Living Wage a Family of 4 Needs in All 50 States

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - JUNE 8 - A scenic backyard view in a local neighborhood on June 8 2019 in Anchorage Alaska.

1. Sunnyvale, California

Median household income: $181,862
Annual cost of living: $177,385
Livability: 82
Minimum lower-middle class income: $121,241
Maximum lower-middle class income: $202,069

Aerial view of a residential neighborhood on a sunny day, Fremont, east San Francisco bay area, California.

2. Fremont, California

Median household income: $176,350
Annual cost of living: $132,768
Livability: 83
Minimum lower-middle class income: $117,567
Maximum lower-middle class income: $195,944

3. Santa Clara, California

Median household income: $173,670
Annual cost of living: $146,546
Livability: 76
Minimum lower-middle class income: $115,780
Maximum lower-middle class income: $192,967

4. Bellevue, Washington

Median household income: $161,300
Annual cost of living: $136,890
Livability: 87
Minimum lower-middle class income: $107,533
Maximum lower-middle class income: $179,222

5. Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Median household income: $155,847
Annual cost of living: $71,989
Livability: 69
Minimum lower-middle class income: $103,898
Maximum lower-middle class income: $173,163

Valley Homes panoramic view in Belmont, San Mateo County, California.

6. San Mateo, California

Median household income: $152,669
Annual cost of living: $149,931
Livability: 79
Minimum lower-middle class income: $101,779
Maximum lower-middle class income: $169,632

That’s Interesting: Warren Buffett Offers One Piece of Estate Planning Advice to the Middle Class

Naperville is a city in DuPage and Will counties in the U.

7. Naperville, Illinois

Median household income: $150,937
Annual cost of living: $67,955
Livability: 83
Minimum lower-middle class income: $100,625
Maximum lower-middle class income: $167,708

New Downtown Frisco Texas from the air - Image.

8. Frisco, Texas

Median household income: $146,158
Annual cost of living: $67,616
Livability: 78
Minimum lower-middle class income: $97,439
Maximum lower-middle class income: $162,398

San Jose is the economic, cultural and political center of Silicon Valley, and the largest city in Northern California.

9. San Jose, California

Median household income: $141,565
Annual cost of living: $128,258
Livability: 79
Minimum lower-middle class income: $94,377
Maximum lower-middle class income: $157,294

San Francisco County, Cable Car, California Street, Overhead Cable Car.

10. San Francisco

Median household income: $141,446
Annual cost of living: $122,380
Livability: 75
Minimum lower-middle class income: $94,297
Maximum lower-middle class income: $157,162

11. Arlington, Virginia

Median household income: $140,160
Annual cost of living: $99,273
Livability: 86
Minimum lower-middle class income: $93,440
Maximum lower-middle class income: $155,733

Be Aware: 10 Things the Middle Class Won’t Be Able To Afford in Less Than a Decade

Hyatt Aviara Resort, Aviara, Carlsbad, California

12. Carlsbad, California

Median household income: $139,326
Annual cost of living: $112,773
Livability: 78
Minimum lower-middle class income: $92,884
Maximum lower-middle class income: $154,807

Water fountain in Oyster Creek Park, Sugar Land, Texas, USA

13. Sugar Land, Texas

Median household income: $137,511
Annual cost of living: $55,456
Livability: 80
Minimum lower-middle class income: $91,674
Maximum lower-middle class income: $152,790

14. Carmel, Indiana

Median household income: $134,602
Annual cost of living: $60,832
Livability: 83
Minimum lower-middle class income: $89,735
Maximum lower-middle class income: $149,558

15. Thousand Oaks, California

Median household income: $134,367
Annual cost of living: $97,874
Livability: 71
Minimum lower-middle class income: $89,578
Maximum lower-middle class income: $149,297

A hillside with many houses in Irvine in southern Orange County, California, with mountains in the background.

16. Irvine, California

Median household income: $129,647
Annual cost of living: $146,594
Livability: 76
Minimum lower-middle class income: $86,431
Maximum lower-middle class income: $144,052

Explore More: 20 Best Cities Where You Can Buy a House for Under $100K

Downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Drone Skyline Aerial stock photo

17. Cary, North Carolina

Median household income: $129,399
Annual cost of living: $64,974
Livability: 90
Minimum lower-middle class income: $86,266
Maximum lower-middle class income: $143,777

18. Columbia, Maryland

Median household income: $129,173
Annual cost of living: $61,393
Livability: 79
Minimum lower-middle class income: $86,115
Maximum lower-middle class income: $143,526

19. Allen, Texas

Median household income: $129,130
Annual cost of living: $55,935
Livability: 77
Minimum lower-middle class income: $86,087
Maximum lower-middle class income: $143,478

20. Centennial, Colorado

Median household income: $128,167
Annual cost of living: $68,388
Livability: 80
Minimum lower-middle class income: $85,445
Maximum lower-middle class income: $142,408

21. Fishers, Indiana

Median household income: $128,141
Annual cost of living: $53,737
Livability: 82
Minimum lower-middle class income: $85,427
Maximum lower-middle class income: $142,379

Discover Next: The Salary Needed To Afford America’s 50 Biggest Cities

Harvard Square is a triangular plaza at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Brattle Street, and John F.

22. Cambridge, Massachusetts

Median household income: $126,469
Annual cost of living: $140,232
Livability: 86
Minimum lower-middle class income: $84,313
Maximum lower-middle class income: $140,521

23. Elk Grove, California

Median household income: $122,229
Annual cost of living: $69,388
Livability: 73
Minimum lower-middle class income: $81,486
Maximum lower-middle class income: $135,810

The skyline of Seattle, Washington, USA with the Space Needle observation tower on a sunny day.

24. Seattle

Median household income: $121,984
Annual cost of living: $86,821
Livability: 75
Minimum lower-middle class income: $81,323
Maximum lower-middle class income: $135,538

Gilbert is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, located southeast of Phoenix, within the Phoenix metropolitan area.

25. Gilbert, Arizona

Median household income: $121,351
Annual cost of living: $63,124
Livability: 89
Minimum lower-middle class income: $80,901
Maximum lower-middle class income: $134,834

Historic Downtown McKinney Square in Texas

26. McKinney, Texas

Median household income: $120,273
Annual cost of living: $56,300
Livability: 74
Minimum lower-middle class income: $80,182
Maximum lower-middle class income: $133,637

Check Out: Here’s How Much the Definition of Middle Class Has Changed in the South

Santa Clarita valley homes in California

27. Santa Clarita, California

Median household income: $119,926
Annual cost of living: $81,613
Livability: 70
Minimum lower-middle class income: $79,951
Maximum lower-middle class income: $133,251

Huntington Beach California best weather

28. Huntington Beach, California

Median household income: $119,885
Annual cost of living: $118,377
Livability: 67
Minimum lower-middle class income: $79,923
Maximum lower-middle class income: $133,206

29. League City, Texas

Median household income: $119,870
Annual cost of living: $48,300
Livability: 76
Minimum lower-middle class income: $79,913
Maximum lower-middle class income: $133,189

30. Daly City, California

Median household income: $119,570
Annual cost of living: $102,929
Livability: 81
Minimum lower-middle class income: $79,713
Maximum lower-middle class income: $132,856

Old Town Temecula combines the region’s storied past and its exciting up-and-coming future in a unique blend of shops, restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and event opportunities in one walkable, easy-to-navigate hub for visitors to explore.

31. Temecula, California

Median household income: $117,840
Annual cost of living: $78,556
Livability: 71
Minimum lower-middle class income: $78,560
Maximum lower-middle class income: $130,933

See Next: 3 Signs You’ve ‘Made It’ Financially, According To Financial Influencer Genesis Hinckley

32. Simi Valley, California

Median household income: $117,703
Annual cost of living: $83,035
Livability: 64
Minimum lower-middle class income: $78,469
Maximum lower-middle class income: $130,781

33. Roseville, California

Median household income: $117,354
Annual cost of living: $69,014
Livability: 78
Minimum lower-middle class income: $78,236
Maximum lower-middle class income: $130,393

Bright and colorful image of residential area in Anaheim, Orange County, California.

34. Orange, California

Median household income: $116,945
Annual cost of living: $101,841
Livability: 71
Minimum lower-middle class income: $77,963
Maximum lower-middle class income: $129,939

Sunset view of residential and industrial areas in East San Francisco Bay Area; green hills visible in the foreground; Hayward, California.

35. Hayward, California

Median household income: $113,775
Annual cost of living: $84,372
Livability: 76
Minimum lower-middle class income: $75,850
Maximum lower-middle class income: $126,417

An office highrise building (left) and a highrise residential building (right) in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood, with dramatic clouds in the background.

36. Alexandria, Virginia

Median household income: $113,638
Annual cost of living: $78,826
Livability: 83
Minimum lower-middle class income: $75,759
Maximum lower-middle class income: $126,264

Wildlife elk resting in suburban Colorado at Arvada Volunteer Fire Fighters Park in Arvada Colorado.

37. Arvada, Colorado

Median household income: $113,396
Annual cost of living: $66,188
Livability: 85
Minimum lower-middle class income: $75,597
Maximum lower-middle class income: $125,996

38. Torrance, California

Median household income: $113,105
Annual cost of living: $107,536
Livability: 77
Minimum lower-middle class income: $75,403
Maximum lower-middle class income: $125,672

39. Pearland, Texas

Median household income: $112,470
Annual cost of living: $50,519
Livability: 81
Minimum lower-middle class income: $74,980
Maximum lower-middle class income: $124,967

Beautiful lake in Olathe, Kansas, United States.

40. Olathe, Kansas

Median household income: $112,232
Annual cost of living: $51,468
Livability: 78
Minimum lower-middle class income: $74,821
Maximum lower-middle class income: $124,702

The beautiful skyline in Orange County, Southern California during a summer sunset.

41. Costa Mesa, California

Median household income: $110,073
Annual cost of living: $118,096
Livability: 62
Minimum lower-middle class income: $73,382
Maximum lower-middle class income: $122,303

View More: Warren Buffett’s Top 4 Tips for Getting Richer

Palm Springs, California, USA - December 27, 2017 : Scenic street view of Palm Springs at sunrise.

42. Murrieta, California

Median household income: $109,780
Annual cost of living: $71,304
Livability: 69
Minimum lower-middle class income: $73,187
Maximum lower-middle class income: $121,978

43. Rancho Cucamonga, California

Median household income: $109,511
Annual cost of living: $79,623
Livability: 69
Minimum lower-middle class income: $73,007
Maximum lower-middle class income: $121,679

Suburban homes sprawled across the hills of Concord in the Bay Area, California.

44. Concord, California

Median household income: $109,195
Annual cost of living: $78,665
Livability: 64
Minimum lower-middle class income: $72,797
Maximum lower-middle class income: $121,328

PLANO, TEXAS--AUGUST 2017: Railroad crossing sign with modern buildings in downtown Plano, Texas.

45. Plano, Texas

Median household income: $108,649
Annual cost of living: $57,144
Livability: 83
Minimum lower-middle class income: $72,433
Maximum lower-middle class income: $120,721

Panoramic view of the Lagoon Valley Park in Vacaville, California, USA, featuring the chaparral in the winter with green grass, and the lake.

46. Vacaville, California

Median household income: $108,580
Annual cost of living: $66,863
Livability: 79
Minimum lower-middle class income: $72,387
Maximum lower-middle class income: $120,644

47. Berkeley, California

Median household income: $108,558
Annual cost of living: $121,564
Livability: 78
Minimum lower-middle class income: $72,372
Maximum lower-middle class income: $120,620

48. Stamford, Connecticut

Median household income: $107,474
Annual cost of living: $86,302
Livability: 70
Minimum lower-middle class income: $71,649
Maximum lower-middle class income: $119,416

Cityscape mountain range view of Phoenix and Scottsdale Arizona USA.

49. Scottsdale, Arizona

Median household income: $107,372
Annual cost of living: $87,191
Livability: 82
Minimum lower-middle class income: $71,581
Maximum lower-middle class income: $119,302

Elevated daytime view of the Anaheim, California skyline.

50. Corona, California

Median household income: $106,438
Annual cost of living: $79,158
Livability: 63
Minimum lower-middle class income: $70,959
Maximum lower-middle class income: $118,264

Find more original studies and surveys in the GOBankingRates original research center.

Editor’s note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact locations listed.

Methodology: GOBankingRates identified cities with at least 100,000 population as sourced from the U.S. Census American Community Survey. Pew Research Center defines the middle class as two-thirds to double the median household income. The cost-of-living indexes were sourced from Sperling’s BestPlaces and the national average expenditure costs for all households were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. The cost of living also included the average mortgage, calculated using data from Zillow Home Value Index and the Federal Reserve. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes. GOBankingRates calculated the entire middle-class income range then divided it into thirds to find the lower-, middle- and upper-middle class income ranges. The cities were then sorted to show the highest household income range first. All data is up to date as of Nov. 3, 2025.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: A Six-Figure Income Is ‘Lower-Middle Class’ in These High-Cost Cities

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Tags

Personal Finance

GOBankingRates

GOBankingRates is a publication for all things personal finance, that reaches billions of readers. We empower our audience to live richer in your bank account, richer in your personal goal fulfillment, and richer in how you explore the world. Whether you want to know which bank has the best CD rates, where you can retire on a budget or which tech stock to invest in, you’ll find the answers on GOBankingRates.