How Wide Is the Gap Between the Middle Class and the Top 5% in Every State?

Inti St Clair / Getty Images
Inti St Clair / Getty Images

The difference between “high end of middle class” and “low end of the top 5%” varies widely from state to state. That’s according to a GOBankingRates analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey for 2022, the most recent year available.

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Making the jump in North Carolina requires nearly $118,000 more in annual income – the largest disparity in the U.S. That’s based on the Tar Heel State’s minimum figure to crack the top 5% ($250,000 a year) minus its top figure to still qualify as middle class ($132,372 a year). The average member of the top 5% club in North Carolina brings in $429,071 annually, compared to the state’s median annual income of just over $66,000.

Maryland has the smallest gap between middle class and top 5% at about $53,000 a year.

To define “middle class,” GBR used the Pew Research Center’s definition: two-thirds to double the average income of a given area.

Here’s our state-by-state list, including median household income, earning ranges for middle class, lowest figure for the top 5% and average income for the top 5%.

Also see the line between middle class and upper middle class in every state.

Alabama

  • Median household income: $59,609

  • Low end of middle-class income: $39,735

  • High end of middle-class income: $119,218

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $220,548

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $101,330

  • Average income for the top 5%: $370,977

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Explore More: What Is the Median Income for the Upper Middle Class in 2024?

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Anfisa Tukane / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Anfisa Tukane / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alaska

  • Median household income: $86,370

  • Low end of middle-class income: $57,574

  • High end of middle-class income: $172,740

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $77,260

  • Average income for the top 5%: $424,278

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arizona

  • Median household income: $72,581

  • Low end of middle-class income: $48,382

  • High end of middle-class income: $145,162

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $104,838

  • Average income for the top 5%: $435,414

RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto
RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Arkansas

  • Median household income: $56,335

  • Low end of middle-class income: $37,553

  • High end of middle-class income: $112,670

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $210,755

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $98,085

  • Average income for the top 5%: $377,043

stellalevi / Getty Images
stellalevi / Getty Images

California

  • Median household income: $91,905

  • Low end of middle-class income: $61,264

  • High end of middle-class income: $183,810

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $66,190

  • Average income for the top 5%: $613,602

Colorado

  • Median household income: $87,598

  • Low end of middle-class income: $58,393

  • High end of middle-class income: $175,196

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $74,804

  • Average income for the top 5%: $507,181

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©Zillow

Connecticut

  • Median household income: $90,213

  • Low end of middle-class income: $60,136

  • High end of middle-class income: $180,426

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $69,574

  • Average income for the top 5%: $656,438

Read More: What the Upper Middle Class Makes in Different US Cities

Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture / Wikimedia Commons
Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture / Wikimedia Commons

Delaware

  • Median household income: $79,325

  • Low end of middle-class income: $52,878

  • High end of middle-class income: $158,650

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $91,350

  • Average income for the top 5%: $442,860

aimintang / iStock.com
aimintang / iStock.com

Florida

  • Median household income: $67,917

  • Low end of middle-class income: $45,273

  • High end of middle-class income: $135,834

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $114,166

  • Average income for the top 5%: $476,546

Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Georgia

  • Median household income: $71,355

  • Low end of middle-class income: $47,565

  • High end of middle-class income: $142,710

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $107,290

  • Average income for the top 5%: $455,439

©iStock.com
©iStock.com

Hawaii

  • Median household income: $94,814

  • Low end of middle-class income: $63,203

  • High end of middle-class income: $189,628

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $60,372

  • Average income for the top 5%: $500,183

Kirk Fisher / Getty Images
Kirk Fisher / Getty Images

Idaho

  • Median household income: $70,214

  • Low end of middle-class income: $46,805

  • High end of middle-class income: $140,428

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $234,748

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $94,320

  • Average income for the top 5%: $402,743

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pabradyphoto / iStock.com
pabradyphoto / iStock.com

Illinois

  • Median household income: $78,433

  • Low end of middle-class income: $52,283

  • High end of middle-class income: $156,866

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $93,134

  • Average income for the top 5%: $503,970

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Indiana

  • Median household income: $67,173

  • Low end of middle-class income: $44,778

  • High end of middle-class income: $134,346

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $223,312

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $88,966

  • Average income for the top 5%: $381,422

Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Iowa

  • Median household income: $70,571

  • Low end of middle-class income: $47,043

  • High end of middle-class income: $141,142

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $228,362

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $87,220

  • Average income for the top 5%: $386,152

Oleksii Liskonih / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Oleksii Liskonih / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Kansas

  • Median household income: $69,747

  • Low end of middle-class income: $46,493

  • High end of middle-class income: $139,494

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $239,514

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $100,020

  • Average income for the top 5%: $415,875

©Zillow
©Zillow

Kentucky

  • Median household income: $60,183

  • Low end of middle-class income: $40,118

  • High end of middle-class income: $120,366

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $215,866

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $95,500

  • Average income for the top 5%: $380,726

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Larry Gibson / iStock.com
Larry Gibson / iStock.com

Louisiana

  • Median household income: $57,852

  • Low end of middle-class income: $38,564

  • High end of middle-class income: $115,704

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $226,420

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $110,716

  • Average income for the top 5%: $384,432

Photo Italia LLC / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Photo Italia LLC / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maine

  • Median household income: $68,251

  • Low end of middle-class income: $45,496

  • High end of middle-class income: $136,502

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $234,090

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $97,588

  • Average income for the top 5%: $396,205

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maryland

  • Median household income: $98,461

  • Low end of middle-class income: $65,634

  • High end of middle-class income: $196,922

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $53,078

  • Average income for the top 5%: $540,934

APCortizasJr / Getty Images
APCortizasJr / Getty Images

Massachusetts

  • Median household income: $96,505

  • Low end of middle-class income: $64,330

  • High end of middle-class income: $193,010

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $56,990

  • Average income for the top 5%: $617,199

©iStock.com
©iStock.com

Michigan

  • Median household income: $68,505

  • Low end of middle-class income: $45,665

  • High end of middle-class income: $137,010

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $241,528

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $104,518

  • Average income for the top 5%: $406,657

Explore More: How I Went From Middle Class to Upper Middle Class

Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jacob Boomsma / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Minnesota

  • Median household income: $84,313

  • Low end of middle-class income: $56,203

  • High end of middle-class income: $168,626

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $81,374

  • Average income for the top 5%: $476,290

©iStock.com
©iStock.com

Mississippi

  • Median household income: $52,985

  • Low end of middle-class income: $35,320

  • High end of middle-class income: $105,970

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $194,721

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $88,751

  • Average income for the top 5%: $333,597

Art Wager / iStock.com
Art Wager / iStock.com

Missouri

  • Median household income: $65,920

  • Low end of middle-class income: $43,942

  • High end of middle-class income: $131,840

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $233,270

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $101,430

  • Average income for the top 5%: $404,080

Montana

  • Median household income: $66,341

  • Low end of middle-class income: $44,223

  • High end of middle-class income: $132,682

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $230,670

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $97,988

  • Average income for the top 5%: $411,205

marekuliasz / iStock.com
marekuliasz / iStock.com

Nebraska

  • Median household income: $71,722

  • Low end of middle-class income: $47,810

  • High end of middle-class income: $143,444

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $236,656

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $93,212

  • Average income for the top 5%: $420,169

Also See: How Far $750,000 in Retirement Savings Plus Social Security Goes in Every State

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Nevada

  • Median household income: $71,646

  • Low end of middle-class income: $47,759

  • High end of middle-class income: $143,292

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $106,708

  • Average income for the top 5%: $449,872

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

New Hampshire

  • Median household income: $90,845

  • Low end of middle-class income: $60,557

  • High end of middle-class income: $181,690

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $68,310

  • Average income for the top 5%: $485,660

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Jersey

  • Median household income: $97,126

  • Low end of middle-class income: $64,744

  • High end of middle-class income: $194,252

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $55,748

  • Average income for the top 5%: $613,494

ElFlacodelNorte / Getty Images/iStockphoto
ElFlacodelNorte / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New Mexico

  • Median household income: $58,722

  • Low end of middle-class income: $39,144

  • High end of middle-class income: $117,444

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $215,617

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $98,173

  • Average income for the top 5%: $353,104

FilippoBacci / Getty Images/iStockphoto
FilippoBacci / Getty Images/iStockphoto

New York

  • Median household income: $81,386

  • Low end of middle-class income: $54,252

  • High end of middle-class income: $162,772

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $87,228

  • Average income for the top 5%: $621,301

Learn More: How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Every State?

North Carolina

  • Median household income: $66,186

  • Low end of middle-class income: $44,120

  • High end of middle-class income: $132,372

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $117,628

  • Average income for the top 5%: $429,071

Guy RD / Shutterstock.com
Guy RD / Shutterstock.com

North Dakota

  • Median household income: $73,959

  • Low end of middle-class income: $49,301

  • High end of middle-class income: $147,918

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $246,904

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $98,986

  • Average income for the top 5%: $418,541

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Ohio

  • Median household income: $66,990

  • Low end of middle-class income: $44,656

  • High end of middle-class income: $133,980

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $235,112

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $101,132

  • Average income for the top 5%: $403,750

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com
DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Oklahoma

  • Median household income: $61,364

  • Low end of middle-class income: $40,905

  • High end of middle-class income: $122,728

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $219,482

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $96,754

  • Average income for the top 5%: $377,724

Strekoza2 / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Strekoza2 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Oregon

  • Median household income: $76,632

  • Low end of middle-class income: $51,083

  • High end of middle-class income: $153,264

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $96,736

  • Average income for the top 5%: $448,649

See More: How Long $1 Million in Retirement Will Last in Every State

Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Pennsylvania

  • Median household income: $73,170

  • Low end of middle-class income: $48,775

  • High end of middle-class income: $146,340

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $103,660

  • Average income for the top 5%: $454,639

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Rhode Island

  • Median household income: $81,370

  • Low end of middle-class income: $54,241

  • High end of middle-class income: $162,740

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $87,260

  • Average income for the top 5%: $453,192

omersukrugoksu / Getty Images/iStockphoto
omersukrugoksu / Getty Images/iStockphoto

South Carolina

  • Median household income: $63,623

  • Low end of middle-class income: $42,411

  • High end of middle-class income: $127,246

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $233,194

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $105,948

  • Average income for the top 5%: $408,138

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto
DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

South Dakota

  • Median household income: $69,457

  • Low end of middle-class income: $46,300

  • High end of middle-class income: $138,914

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $222,099

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $83,185

  • Average income for the top 5%: $392,724

Jonathan Ross / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Jonathan Ross / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tennessee

  • Median household income: $64,035

  • Low end of middle-class income: $42,686

  • High end of middle-class income: $128,070

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $234,549

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $106,479

  • Average income for the top 5%: $418,421

Check Out: Here’s the Salary Needed To Actually Take Home $100K in Every State

f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto
f11photo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Texas

  • Median household income: $73,035

  • Low end of middle-class income: $48,685

  • High end of middle-class income: $146,070

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $103,930

  • Average income for the top 5%: $464,859

©Zillow
©Zillow

Utah

  • Median household income: $86,833

  • Low end of middle-class income: $57,883

  • High end of middle-class income: $173,666

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $76,334

  • Average income for the top 5%: $463,437

marchello74 / iStock.com
marchello74 / iStock.com

Vermont

  • Median household income: $74,014

  • Low end of middle-class income: $49,338

  • High end of middle-class income: $148,028

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $249,743

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $101,715

  • Average income for the top 5%: $405,333

ferrantraite / Getty Images
ferrantraite / Getty Images

Virginia

  • Median household income: $87,249

  • Low end of middle-class income: $58,160

  • High end of middle-class income: $174,498

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $75,502

  • Average income for the top 5%: $531,035

Discover More: Here’s the Income Needed To Be in the Top 1% in All 50 States

Washington

  • Median household income: $90,325

  • Low end of middle-class income: $60,211

  • High end of middle-class income: $180,650

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $250,000+

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $69,350

  • Average income for the top 5%: $544,518

ablokhin / iStock.com
ablokhin / iStock.com

West Virginia

  • Median household income: $55,217

  • Low end of middle-class income: $36,808

  • High end of middle-class income: $110,434

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $197,767

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $87,333

  • Average income for the top 5%: $329,620

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images
Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images

Wisconsin

  • Median household income: $72,458

  • Low end of middle-class income: $48,301

  • High end of middle-class income: $144,916

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $233,991

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $89,075

  • Average income for the top 5%: $403,055

Ingo Dörenberg / iStock.com
Ingo Dörenberg / iStock.com

Wyoming

  • Median household income: $72,495

  • Low end of middle-class income: $48,325

  • High end of middle-class income: $144,990

  • Lowest income to be considered top 5%: $229,463

  • Gap between high end of middle class and low end of top 5%: $84,473

  • Average income for the top 5%: $407,646

Methodology: For this piece, GOBankingRates used the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey to learn the median household income, lowest limit to be considered top 5%, and the average income of the top 5% for every state. To determine the range for “middle class,” we use the Pew Research Center’s definition of two-thirds to double the income of a given area. All data was collected on and is up to date as of Sept. 10, 2024.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Wide Is the Gap Between the Middle Class and the Top 5% in Every State?

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