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$100K Income Lower-Middle Class in 12 States; Arkansas Cheapest

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

MoneyLion analysis finds that a $100,000 household income falls in the lower-middle-class in twelve states: California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Connecticut, Alaska and Virginia.
In those states the lower-middle-class upper limit ranges from $102,322 in Virginia to $116,476 in Massachusetts.
Costs of necessities span $54,431 in Maryland to $99,179 in Hawaii.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Arkansas cheapest and California worst for cost of living.

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Story summary

MoneyLion analysis finds that a $100,000 household income falls in the lower-middle-class in twelve states: California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Washington, Colorado, Utah, Connecticut, Alaska and Virginia.
In those states the lower-middle-class upper limit ranges from $102,322 in Virginia to $116,476 in Massachusetts.
Costs of necessities span $54,431 in Maryland to $99,179 in Hawaii.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Arkansas cheapest and California worst for cost of living.